013443 Human Society and its Environment in Primary Education

Description

This subject develops pre-service teachers' understanding of the NSW primary curriculum areas of History and Geography (as well as the learning across the curriculum areas of Civics and Citizenship and Work and Enterprise). Pre-service teachers acquire proficiency in designing and implementing learning experiences and assessing and evaluating the learning of primary school students in K–6. Pre-service teachers are encouraged to critically reflect on the wider challenges of preparing Australian school children to become active and informed members of their communities. Through studying this subject, pre-service teachers do more than inform themselves about the humanities and social sciences: they develop their skills as social scientists to ask questions about the world around them and help their students to do the same. Pre-service teachers are supported to broaden their teaching to beyond the classroom by facilitating action-oriented learning experiences that apply History and Geography to researching and addressing real-world issues. Examples include how to explain and reflect on ways to celebrate Australia Day; humanitarian support for refugees; the impact of ever-expanding use of single-use plastics or rising meat consumption on the environment; and government roles in deciding which religion people can pursue. Experts and campaigners from external organisations support the teaching of this subject.