Environmental Studies 1 (ED0905)

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

This course will introduce Environmental Studies as a broad area of learning in primary schools. Study will be based on the content, and suggested approaches, as described in the 5-14 Curriculum Guidelines for Scotland, and supported by selected literature. The course will establish a rationale for Environmental Studies based on social subjects, science and technology as key ways in which children come to learn about the world. Students will also be introduced to appropriate ways of organising and presenting the curriculum to others, through researching topics and teaching to peers, as well as developing skills in planning activities for children. The importance of using first hand observation, investigation and evidence in social and physical contexts will be emphasised. The course involves a three day residential experience at an outdoor centre. Attendance at this field course is compulsory, and a financial contribution will be required from students towards the cost of transport, food and lodging.

Entry Requirements

? Costs : Cost of transport, board and lodging for 3 day residential field course.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

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

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 1st year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 4 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 24 hour(s) per week for 1 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	09:00	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students are able to:
- describe and justify Environmental Studies as a key area of learning in primary schools, showing familiarity with its organising features, content and some associated methods and principles;
- demonstrate understanding of selected strands of curriculum content, drawn from social and physical contexts;
- justify the importance of first hand investigation through fieldwork in Environmental Studies and demonstrate ability to use a variety of approaches to gathering, organising, interpreting and presenting information from social and physical environments;
- demonstrate a developing ability to plan focussed, practicable, purposeful Environmental Studies learning activities for children.

Assessment Information

The main assessment task is a written assignment of 2000 words which gives students the opportunity to meet the criteria given below. The assignment is based on coursework, class tasks and guided reading. It is submitted at the end of Semester 1 and graded A to F in accordance with the University system. In order to complete the course, students are required to pass the above assignment and, also, to submit a satisfactory Log Book based on fieldwork in Semester 2.

In overtaking assessment requirements, students should be able to: - describe and justify the Environmental Studies curriculum;
- demonstrate understanding of selected curriculum content;
- explain suitable approaches to teaching and learning social subjects, science and technology, based on established principles;
- demonstrate ability to identify and use suitable contexts for Environmental Studies learning and teaching.