In this unit, you will examine theories related to curriculum design and development and will use this knowledge as a framework for exploring the work that teachers do to develop responsive curriculum and innovative practice. Through the unit, you will explore different approaches to curriculum design and apply this to planning and developing a curriculum unit. The unit covers the need for curriculum design and assessment to be integrated, inclusive and differentiated in response to students’ learning needs and you will engage with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Victorian Curriculum F-10 and Australian Curriculum in planning units of work and appropriate assessment of learning. Learners will explore ways in which teachers in schools transform centralised curriculum documents and bring curriculum ‘to life’ using a transformational education framework and a Christian perspective as well as through a range of innovative and researched teaching strategies that engage diverse student populations. In addition, you will investigate ways to maximise learner motivation, including various curricula, pedagogies, assessments and resources for 21st Century educational contexts, engaging students through curriculum development and innovative practice, and developing community-based curricula and practices. You will develop an understanding of teachers being ‘curriculum workers’ and the implication of this for their professional identity. You will draw on your developing understanding of curriculum documents, policies, issues and innovation to plan practices that are inclusive and educational. Linked to this unit is School Observation A, entailing 5 days in a placement school during which you will focus on observing and reflecting on how teachers plan lesson sequences and integrate assessment in teaching. You will observe and reflect on teaching strategies and resources that teachers use in response to and to be inclusive of diverse learners when delivering curriculum, as well as strategies used to maximise students’ motivation to engage with curriculum content. Through conversations with experienced teachers you will expand your knowledge of and reflect on strategies used to evaluate teaching programs and lessons and measure impact. You will attend a preparation class prior to the placement and a debriefing class after completing the placement, both are on-campus classes. Topics: * Curriculum definitions, design and conceptions * Knowing and using the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, Victorian Curriculum F-10 and the Australian Curriculum, including general capabilities and cross-curricular priorities in planning and designing curriculum units * Transformational Education a Framework for Christian Education: Outline a strategy for integrated learning * Community-based curricula and practices * Planning and designing curriculum units to organise content into effective learning and teaching sequences * Integration of a Christian worldview in curriculum unit planning, design and assessment * Link between curriculum, assessment and data * Strategies for evaluating and reviewing curriculum and teaching programs * A Christian response to curriculum design and teaching programs, including lesson plans and selecting appropriate teaching strategies and resources * School Observation A placement – observing students and experienced teachers