Course overview
This course will develop educators who are able to understand the needs of adolescent students and the contemporary principles and practices of middle schooling. Preservice teachers will examine the nature of adolescence, the learning and social needs of the adolescent, philosophies of middle schooling, middle schooling pedagogies and middle schools and social justice.
Course learning outcomes
- Analyse adolescent learning needs in relation to developmental changes and the social construction of adolescence
- Scrutinise the realities of middle schooling contexts and respond to associated pedagogical challenges
- Identify and critique key elements of middle schooling, including curriculum integration, negotiated curriculum and authentic assessment
- Construct an emerging philosophy of teaching reflecting middle schooling principles and articulate key implications for professional practice
- Apply professional inquiry by drawing on research and the reflective cycle to enhance quality teaching in the middle years of schooling