Course Title: Arts in the Primary School

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Arts in the Primary School

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2554

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018

Course Coordinator: Dr Rohan Nethsinghe

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7211

Course Coordinator Email: rohan.nethsinghe@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 220.02.09


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The course provides an introduction to key theoretical and practical elements of Visual Arts, Media and Performing Arts, and Design, Creativity and Technology and best-practice pedagogies that foster the positive engagement of primary school age children in the arts and design technologies. Visual Arts and Media scaffold students’ conceptual and technical skill development in arts practice and promote understanding of basic arts elements and an appreciation of artworks and media artefacts within a broad social and cultural context. Performing Arts focuses on developing students’ confidence in Music, Drama and Dance, and includes composition, performance, improvisation and movement, active listening and an introduction to appropriate technologies. Design, Creativity and Technology develops students’ capacities to use design and technology skills, knowledge and processes to create new and/or improved products and/or systems. The course is underpinned by the principles of collaborative learning, student-­‐centred pedagogy, scaffolding, life-long learning, critical reflection and analysis.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Your learning in this course is focused on development of the following program level capabilities:

  • Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on complex theories and recent developments, both local and international, to extend and challenge knowledge and practice in education
  • Determine and apply the specialist knowledge and professional skills required to creatively solve problems, demonstrating expert judgment and ethical responsibility relating to your professional practice.
  • Use appropriate research methods to design and implement substantial projects, then evaluate and theorize these outcomes as a means to position this contribution to the profession and knowledge area.
  • Engage with complex bodies of knowledge and multiple professional skills in order to contribute to your professional identity and career within contemporary contexts.


At the conclusion of this course you will be assessed on the following learning outcomes:

  • Critically evaluate current best-practice educational thinking, pedagogy and research in arts teaching and learning, to develop and articulate a personal philosophy of arts teaching
  • Explore, nurture and demonstrate a capacity for creative pedagogy by presenting arts curricula that actively engage primary-school age students in the development of specific arts skills and knowledge
  • Plan, implement and evaluate appropriate arts and design, creativity and technology experiences as an integral part of children’s learning across the curriculum
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the principles of inclusiveness, cultural, social and environmental responsibility and an ability to effectively implement these in arts and design, creativity and technology practice
  • Critically engage in independent research, and actively contribute to collaborative learning and teaching, improvisation and creative exploration in visual and performing arts, and design, creativity and technology
  • Demonstrate an awareness of design, creativity and technology, and their relationship to innovation through safe use of a range of materials, tools, equipment and systems components.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and online such as lectures, tutorials, group and class discussion, group activities and individual research.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

The Student Charter www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/ summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT University student as well as the responsibilities of the university.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: www.rmit.edu.au/about/governance-and-management/governance/policies/assessment-policy