Advanced Diploma in Senior Phase Natural Science Education

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Senior Phase Natural Science Education qualification seeks to

• Transcend the standard or traditional way of teaching science in a move towards more learning-and learner-centred teaching methods.
• Develop and consolidate in an integrated way appropriate disciplinary, practical, pedagogical and situational knowledge in the field of science education.
• Foster self-reflexivity and subject reflexivity to gain a deeper understanding of the teaching of natural science and the role of research in improving the teaching of natural science.
• Nurture commitment to the ideals of developing proficient science teachers who can solve problems independently and collaboratively.
• Promote and develop the dispositions and competencies to integrate subject knowledge in the various strands of school science.
• Promote and develop the dispositions and competencies to make appropriate use of appropriate technology to enhance the learner engagement in the science classroom.

The qualification will, therefore, seek to

• Provide teachers with a deeper understanding of technical and pedagogical content knowledge for the effective teaching of school natural science and technology in diverse contexts.
• Apply theories and action research in Natural Science Education relevant to school natural science.
• Expose teachers to strategies that will enable them to teach natural science in a variety of ways.
• Demonstrate competence to teach natural science through problem-solving.
• Develop the ability to integrate the various strands of natural science into a coherent, deep conceptual understanding of natural science and technology as a discipline and its role in society.
• Broaden teaching and learning horizons by using appropriate technology/ICT effectively.

Teachers who achieve the Exit Level Outcomes will become innovative in the field of science education.

Rationale

The rationale of the qualification is to provide a learning pathway enabling teachers who have completed a Bachelor Education qualification or an appropriate undergraduate qualification capped by an appropriate PGCE, or a former Higher Diploma in Education, which will have focused on developing their subject content knowledge, to deepen their understanding of how to teach school natural science more effectively.

The Advanced Diploma in Senior Phase Natural Science Education is a qualification in the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) pathway of the College of Education which seeks to strengthen and enhance an existing specialisation in the teaching of Natural Science.

The qualification requires a specific depth of, and specialisation in subject knowledge, together with skills in using resources from a variety of institutions, to enable teachers to teach natural science successfully/effectively in a variety of contexts.

The qualification requires intellectual independence and the development of some level of research competence in the field of education and, more specifically, teaching and learning, to provide a basis for further studies in the field of natural science education.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Serving teachers with incomplete teacher qualifications or with Certificates and Diplomas in teaching gained in the past may apply for advanced standing in the Advanced Diploma qualification in line with the institution's RPL policy stipulation. Assessing each application is on its merits.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Education, NQF Level 7.

Or

• A Bachelor's Degree or Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Education, NQF Level 7.

Or

• A three-year Diploma, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Further Diploma in Education which follows a former professional teaching qualification.

Or

• A four-year Higher Diploma in Education.

Or

• An Advanced Certificate, NQF Level 6.

Or

• A National Professional Diploma in Education.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Teaching Earth and Beyond, 24 Credits.
• Teaching Energy and Change, 24 Credits.
• Teaching Life and Living, 24 Credits.
• Teaching Matter and Materials, 24 Credits.
• Teaching Science, Technology, Society and the Environment, 24 Credits.

1. Transcend the standard or traditional way of teaching natural science in a move towards more learning-and learner-centred teaching methods.
2. Develop and consolidate in an integrated way appropriate disciplinary, practical, pedagogical and situational knowledge in the field of science and technology education.
3. Foster self-reflexivity and subject reflexivity to gain a deeper understanding of the teaching of science and the role of research in improving the teaching of science.
4. Nurture commitment to the ideals of developing scientifically proficient learners who can solve problems independently and collaboratively.
5. Promote and develop the dispositions and competencies to integrate subject knowledge in the various strands of school science.
6. Promote and develop the dispositions and competencies to make appropriate use of appropriate technology to enhance learner engagement in the science classroom.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Select, sequence and pace learning in a manner appropriate to effective Science teaching, diverse learning needs and diverse contexts of practice.
• Select and use a range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies appropriate to effective Natural Science teaching, diverse learning needs and diverse contexts of practice.
• Teach scientific concepts in ways that promote learner engagement, the development of deep conceptual understanding and the ability to transfer learning to authentic contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Adapt general educational principles and theories to the facilitation of the effective learning of Natural Science for diverse learners in diverse contexts.
• Integrate/apply Natural Science skills and understandings in other subjects or contexts.
• Be able to justify the practice by reference to appropriate theory.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Reflect on and critically evaluate own teaching, learning and assessment practice.
• Research teaching, learning and assessment problems and feed findings back into improved practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Critically analyse own and others' lesson plans, learning qualifications and assessment tasks.
• Identify and critically evaluate what counts as undisputed knowledge, necessary skills and important values.
• Adopt a range of mediation styles that require both individual and group-based learner engagement.
• Demonstrate in practice a commitment to a problem-solving approach to the teaching of Natural Science.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Make educational judgements on issues arising from real practice and authentic case studies/examples of real-world issues.
• Justify choices concerning the theoretical underpinnings of general pedagogy as well as those related specifically to the teaching of Natural Science.
• Make appropriate links between Natural Science learning, the world of work, the environment and human rights issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Select and use appropriate technologies in appropriate ways to meet different learning and teaching needs in diverse contexts of practice.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of all five modules is through a combination of formative and summative assessment with an emphasis on applied competence - that is the ability to make and justify informed choices in practice and to modify practice where necessary. Assignments in each of the modules will also introduce elements of action research approaches. Summative assessment will take place in the form of a non-venue based examination.