Big Ideas in Education

Subjects

• Introduction to Climate Change

  Subject code: UNIB10007 
  Level: 1

  With a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to all aspects of the climate change debate, you will have the opportunity to interact with Australian scientific and political leaders with expertise and interests in climate change, and consider information within your own local context.

  Concepts covered include the scientific basis of the greenhouse effect, the history of Earth’s climate, energy options, economics and public policy and the effect of climate change on food, water and health.

  For more information see the Handbook.

• Links Between Health and Learning

  Subject code: EDUC20073
  Level: 2

  Deepen your knowledge of the relationship between health and learning using the life course model. You will explore current research that explains how health influences your success in educational pursuits and how educational opportunities and life-long learning in turn impact your health outcomes.

  In the interactive lectures and workshops, you will engage with sector experts and collaborate with each other strengthening your skills in public speaking, presentation, and thinking strategically, critically and creatively to develop interventions that address health and learning issues.

  You will learn how to apply theory to practice using your own experiences and real world examples, improving your ability to approach complex health and learning issues pragmatically.

  For more information see the Handbook.

• Science Communication and Employability

  Subject code: MULT20011
  Level: 2

  Consider the important role of science and technology in society and explore why scientists must learn to articulate their ideas to a variety of audiences in an effective and engaging manner.

  You will learn how to create engaging written and spoken science communication, by tailoring your communication to audience needs and using the right type of media. Other topics include giving talks about science to non-scientists, writing press releases, communicating with politicians, how science is reported in the media, as well as effective communication in the context of employability and applying for jobs, including writing a CV and interview skills.

  There will be multiple opportunities to receive feedback and improve your written and oral communication skills.

  For more information see the Handbook.

• Thinking Tools for Wicked Problems

  Subject code: UNIB10019
  Level: 1

  There exists no shortage of open-ended, messy and seemingly intractable 21st Century problems afflicting both the Sciences and Social Sciences that have challenged even the most skilful and intellectually disciplined minds. One need only think of the dangers of unfettered development of artificial intelligence systems, or the global climate emergency. Clearly, resolving such ‘wicked’ problems demands our urgent attention.

  Working with these challenges, though, requires interdisciplinary approaches and the application of intellectual tools that sound critical thinking offers. However, whilst it is in our nature to think, left to itself, thinking, can be biased, distorted, sociocentric and uninformed.

  In this subject, and assisted by researchers from across the university, you will be introduced to Community of Inquiry practices, where cumulative, collaborative and self-corrective thinking is encouraged, all the while tackling some of the most intractable and interesting problems of our times.

  For more information see the Handbook.