Advanced Certificate in Senior Phase Economic and Management Sciences Teaching

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to enable Teachers to develop specialised knowledge and skills and be able to apply it to the teaching and learning of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) in the classroom. The qualification is designed to deepen the Teachers' subject matter knowledge, general principles and methodology in EMS teaching. Teachers will also develop disciplinary, pedagogical, practical and situational learning and reflexive competences in teaching and learning in the Senior Phase of schooling.

Aims such as the following will also be pursued by the qualification

• Fostering self-reflexivity and self-understanding.
• Development of the competences to organise learning among a diverse range of learners in diverse contexts.

Rationale

Extensive consultation with education departments on a national level, and national needs analysis have emphasised the shortage of adequately qualified Teachers for the Senior Phase Economic and Management Sciences (EMS). In addition, the number of Teachers attending numerous courses to increase their knowledge base of EMS also points to a lack in the professional capacity among large numbers of teachers who are currently employed to teach Senior Phase EMS. Therefore, the Advanced Certificate Senior Phase Economic and Management Sciences Teaching [AdvCert (SP EMS Teaching)] has been designed to upgrade the knowledge and skills of those teachers who are currently employed in the Senior Phase.

This qualification is aimed at

• Those Teachers who hold a prior qualification in Economic and Management Sciences teaching to strengthen their subject specialisation.
• Retraining teachers for the teaching of Economic and Management Sciences in the Senior Phase.
• Enable existing Economic and Management Sciences Teachers to develop disciplinary, pedagogical, practical and situational learning reflexive competences in teaching and learning related to Economic and Management Sciences.
• Provide teachers of other subjects with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach Economic and Management Sciences.

The Advanced Certificate in Senior Phase Economic and Management Sciences Teaching is designed to address the subject specific needs of Economic and Management Sciences EMS teachers in the Senior Phase. In addition to the national prescribed requirements, this qualification includes additional learning credits for deepening teachers' subject content knowledge.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Institutional rules and requirements for RPL apply where the minimum requirements for admission are not met. Advanced standing may also be granted through RPL.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirements are

• Bachelor of Education NQF Level 7.

Or

• A relevant recognised Teacher Education qualification.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 6 totalling 121 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6, 121 Credits

• Education Studies I: The individual in education context, 8 Credits.
• Teaching SP EMS Accounting I (Financial Literacy I), 16 Credits.
• Teaching SP EMS I (Economics), 8 Credits.
• Teaching SP EMS II (Business Studies), 16 Credits
• Teaching SP EMS III (Entrepreneurship I), 9 Credits.
• Teaching SP EMS IV (Entrepreneurship), 16 Credits.
• Classroom Management: EMS, 8 Credits.
• Professional Practice in the Classroom, 8 Credits.
• Teaching SP EMS Accounting II (Financial Literacy II), 16 Credits.
• Education Studies II, 8 Credits.
• Teaching and Learning in Education Context, 8 Credits.

Optional Modules at NQF Level 5 (Teachers are expected to be ICT competent and if not they are required to take all modules at Level 5):

• Introduction to Information Communication Technology, 6 Credits.
• Introduction to Information Communication Technology in the EMS Classroom I, 3 Credits.
• Introduction to Information Communication Technology in the EMS Classroom II, 3 Credits.

Optional Modules at NQF Level 6 (Teachers who are not proficient in Accounting may choose the following modules)

• Accounting - Financial Literacy I, 8 Credits.
• Accounting - Financial Literacy II, 8 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialised knowledge of the principles and teaching methodologies relevant to Senior Phase Economic and Management Sciences teaching.
2. Act on and contribute to change in the broader education context promoting inclusivity and eliminating barriers to learning.
3. Apply Information and Communication Technology skills to Senior Phase Economic and Management Sciences teaching.
4. Act with integrity by maintaining the highest level of professional work ethics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Theory, teaching, learning and assessment of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) in the Senior Phase are conceptualised.
• Relevant teaching strategies, such as large class discussions, co-operative learning, learner-research and problem-solving are carefully selected and applied.
• Curricula at a classroom level and the pedagogy associated with the teaching of EMS are interpreted and applied.
• Integrated knowledge of the concepts and principles pertaining to Accounting, Business Studies, and Entrepreneurship are understood and conveyed effectively to learners.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Teaching and learning are planned according to the needs of learners, the school, the community and the resources available.
• Appropriate methods of teaching for inclusivity are used by taking into account differentiated teaching and learning styles.
• Barriers to learning, which may include poor eye sight, physical disability or any other forms of disability of learners in the classroom, are identified and addressed.
• The classroom is managed effectively to enhance teaching and learning that benefits every learner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Hardware and software computer systems are used for planning and delivering lessons.
• Multiple perspectives that form part of the ITC field in the design of learning activities are taken into account.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The South African Council for Educators (SACE) Code of Conduct for Teachers is understood and applied.
• Confidentiality about learners is maintained at all times.
• Ethical dimensions of professional teaching and learning practice are evaluated.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is seen as central to the teaching and learning process, providing both formative and summative assessment opportunities as well as requiring an element of holistic, integrated assessment in line with the overall purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment gives an opportunity for Teachers to demonstrate their achievement holistically across the Exit-Level Outcomes of the qualification.

Each module has a specific assessment strategy that complies with the institutional rules and policies regarding assessment and examination. The Teachers' competence in the modules is assessed through assignments and tests as well as examinations, or examination equivalent tasks. The type of assessment will however depend on the nature of the module and/or the lecturers involved in the module. Continuous assessment activities in the AdvCert (Senior SP EMS Teaching) will include tests, assignments, projects, lesson presentations, posters, presentations; critique of lessons; group assignments, portfolios and practical work.

The assessment for School Experience comprises an assessment of teaching practice and the portfolio. Supervisors will be appointed by the School of Education and an external examiner will visit schools during teaching practice. Teachers' assessment is based on the supervisors' reports, confidential reports by schools, a student report and the examiner's reports. The mark for the teaching practice will be awarded based on the teaching practice and the portfolio.