Assessment Task 1 Guidelines
1) “Respond to key questions which guide you to analyse the theories and practices
covered in weeks 1-5….”
2) Length: 1500 words, plus references
3) You will be given 3 questions, of which you select 2, and write between 600-900
on each (total 1500 words ± 10%)
4) Five academic references are required (in total), at least 3 of which must be from
the prescribed readings.
5) Do not cite non-academic texts, such as Wikipedia or blogs (but you can use these
yourself as a starting point)
6) No more than 2% can be quoted material.
7)Explains key concepts relating to literacy and numeracy education
8)Relates research literature to practice
9)Writes cohesively, accurately, and with appropriate citation of others’work.
The assignment is in report format, with sub-headings.
Style Presentation
a. clear, academic English a. 1.5 spacing
b. no dot points b. 11 or 12 point font
c. no contractions [eg isn’t] c. page numbers and word count
d. APA referencing d. no contents page, introduction or conclusion
ANSWER Questions IN FOUR SECTIONS
1(a) DISPLAY YOUR UNDERSTANDING, AND PREVIEW THE MAIN IDEAS
Gibbons describes [discusses/outlines] this key Vygotskian notion of the social
nature of learning in relation to [in light of/with respect to] three main features
[components/characteristics/goals]
1(b) OPTIONAL, DEPENDING ON THE QUESTION AND CONTEXT
BRING IN OTHER RELEVANT IDEAS BY THAT AUTHOR
G. sees that …, also points out that…, argues that…
(2) SUMMARISE ADDITIONAL VIEWS FROM THE LITERATURE
Similar/different ideas are put forward by x y and x [names of authors], who
construct [build upon/interpret] Vygotsky’s view of cognition in the following
ways….
Synthesise your account by ideas – each paragraph starts with a topic/
theme.
NB: This is a brief literature review, and not an annotated bibliography, where each
paragraph would start with a new study, eg ‘Smith (2003) found that….; Jones
(2008) studied….]
(3) RELATE TO YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE
In my experience as a learner [at school, u/g, p/g, other]; as a teacher
[trainer/parent/older sister/brother], children/people learn….
(4) REFERENCE LIST – APA
TASK 1 QUESTIONS
Select two from the following.
(1) Educational Theory
Discuss, in relation to education, Vygotsky’s view that ‘Through others, we become
ourselves.’ (1997, p. 105).*
(2) Teaching Practice and EAL/D students
Select one element from the NSW QTF (2003):
- briefly summarise it
- analyse its relevance to EAL/D learners at secondary school
- provide some concrete examples **
(3) Literacy and Numeracy
Discuss the similarities and differences between:
either (a) Maths and Numeracy
or (b) English and Literacy
* Vygotsky, L. S. (1997). The genesis of higher mental functions. In R. Reiber (Ed.), The history of the
development of higher mental functions: Vol. 4, pp. 97-120. New York: Plenum. Originally published
in 1931.
** NSW DET (2003). Quality teaching in NSW public schools: A classroom practice guide. Retrieved
from http://www.darcymoore.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/qt_EPSColor.pdf
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