Curriculum and Pedagogy 1b: Expressive Arts, Languages, Social Studies and Technologies (U04498)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 8 ? Acronym : EDU-1-Lang 1

This course takes account of the breadth that has long been a feature of the primary school curriculum. In particular, it recognises the powerful contributions of Language, Social Studies, Technologies (with some attention also to Sciences as a prelude to Curriculum and Pedagogy 1c) and the Expressive Arts to children’s learning, as outlined in the 5-14 curriculum and currently in Curriculum for Excellence. It is therefore essential that students learn about good practice in these areas, both in terms of content and approaches to teaching, and about the theory behind these approaches. In addition to Language, Expressive Arts, Social Studies and Technologies being acknowledged as, and taught mainly as, discrete strands in the course, advantage is also taken of opportunities to illustrate to students how these areas of learning can complement each other effectively. For example, the Language strand is underpinned by the premise that Language is the key medium for the acquisition of knowledge and understanding. It is also a key medium for expressing understanding, as are the creative processes of the Expressive Arts. The Social Studies, as well as being concerned with teaching ways of enquiring and knowing about the world, are also bodies of knowledge that provide diverse rich contexts for the development and use of Expressive Arts and Language.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 40 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students are able to:

- Describe and justify Language, Expressive Arts (Art & Design and Drama), Social Studies and Technologies as key areas of learning in primary schools, showing understanding of selected content, learning principles and teaching methods
- illustrate how children's development across nursery-primary years influences learning possibilities and approaches to teaching in Language, Expressive Arts (Art & Design and Drama), Social Studies and Technologies
- demonstrate a developing ability to plan purposeful learning activities in Language, Expressive Arts (Art & Design and Drama), Social Studies and Technologies
- show awareness of the value of developing creative opportunities for learning and teaching using cross-curricular opportunities where appropriate

Assessment Information

The main assessment points for Curriculum and Pedagogy 1b are a poster presentation (representing one third of the total assessment) and a written assignment (approximately 1500 words representing two thirds of the total assessment). The presentation and assignment are designed to allow students to demonstrate their broad understanding of key features of Language, Expressive Arts, Social Studies and Technologies in the primary curriculum and to exemplify how learning in one area can support learning in another. The poster presentation allows groups to show how the three areas can integrate successfully and meaningfully in a primary classroom. Building on the poster presentation, the assignment has an overarching theme to be considered in the light of one or two selected strands. Opportunities to use approaches to teaching modelled on the three strands are also provided. Assessment of both parts will comprise AifL principles in terms of formative and summative assessment.