EDF5857 Primary science education
Faculty of Education
EDF5857 Primary science education is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Education, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EDF5857
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After EDF5857
No unit lists EDF5857 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Must be enrolled in D6001
Overview
This unit explores science within four broad frames: science as a way of thinking and acting; what the learner brings to science learning; teaching as the transformation of knowing science; and the engagement of learners and communicating science. The unit focuses on how teachers can plan to enhance science learning and adopts a constructivist perspective by exploring strategies that include the use of prior knowledge, questioning and inquiry learning, and effective strategies for assessment and feedback. An emphasis is placed upon hands-on approaches, scientific investigations and student-owned/student-centred investigations. The relationship between science and other areas of the curriculum is also a focus along with the nature of science as a discipline. You will build understanding of science learning and teaching through collaborative participation in a range of contexts and focused planning and reflection.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Bld blk |
Assessment
- Learning design and reflective critique (2000 words or equivalent)Project50%
- Developing a learning sequence in science (2000 words or equivalent)Project50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn science and the implications for science teaching
- 2
plan, structure and sequence science learning programs
- 3
select and use resources to support science teaching and learning
- 4
use conceptual, curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to organize content into effective science learning and teaching sequences
- 5
draw from a range of teaching strategies to support science learning.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study.
Usually, you can expect to engage with:
• 24 hours* of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; and
• the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study
Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
*Subject to variation due to professional experience requirements
You will be provided with the opportunity to engage with relevant literature and resources. Further, you will be encouraged to deepen your understanding of topic areas through collegial discussion and debate, and by participating in activities designed to extend your understanding.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Please visit the unit Moodle site for further information.
Where it fits
EDF5857 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Jennifer Mansfield
- Ms Donna Rady
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Jennifer Mansfield
- Ms Donna Rady
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EDF5857?
EDF5857 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is EDF5857 offered?
In 2026, EDF5857 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is EDF5857?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does EDF5857 have an exam?
No. EDF5857 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include EDF5857?
EDF5857 is part of Primary and secondary education; and Primary education.