Taylor’s University Education Degree Specialising in Primary Education

Programme Structure for the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Primary Education) at Taylor’s University

The Primary Education specialisation enables students to learn and practice methods to address the learning needs of young learners using a variety of curricula.

Upon completion of this specialisation, students should be able to teach English, Science, and Mathematics, and develop content for these subjects at the primary level.

Instilling sound practical and professional knowledge, skills and predispositions of primary school teaching based on a philosophical, theoretical and conceptual understanding of primary education in our students.

We will be able to introduce innovative ideas to inspire children, interact effectively by expressing their ideas and exhibit thoughtful and exemplary leadership.

Ultimately, our graduates are groomed to make positive changes in the lives of children.

Subjects Taught in the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Primary Education) at Taylor’s University

PRIMARY MAJOR

This component consists of Common Core subjects, which are common modules across a discipline that provides the fundamental knowledge of the discipline.

Common Core

• Philosophy and Curriculum Design
• Education, School and Society
• Teaching and Managing Diverse Learners in the Classroom
• Learning, Assessment and Feedback
• New Pedagogies – Digital Tools and Resources
• The Reflective Practitioner: Teachers Investigate Their Work
• Action Research Project
• Academic Reading & Writing
• Practicum
  • Professional Practice 1 (PP1)
  • Professional Practice 2 (PP2)
  • Theory into Practice

Specialisation

Option 1: Primary Education

• Teaching Language Arts
• Teaching Primary School English Language
• Language Use and Society
• Number & Algebra
• Measurement & Geometry
• Statistics
• Science – Systems and Cycles
• Science – Energy and Interactions
• Nature of Science

TEACHING LANGUAGE ARTS

This module introduces students to incorporating language arts in teaching the English Language in primary schools. Integrating the language arts means that the elements of literacy are developed and taught with a set of common experiences and using pieces of authentic literature. It exposes students to the aims of integrating the language arts in primary school English Language. It also analyses how the learning environment, that is, the classroom is organised based on the different genres of language arts.

Students will learn the criteria for selecting fiction and non-fiction in relation to prose, poetry, drama, songs and biographies for the English Language classroom. Students will also learn to design activities and assessment tasks based on genres related to the language arts. This module is delivered via face-to-face, online and blended learning modes.

Students will continuously be involved in discussions, self-directed learning and project-based and collaborative learning. This module is assessed via course assessment (test, e-portfolio, microteaching) and final examination.

TEACHING PRIMARY SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE

This module introduces students to pedagogical principles, learning theories and language teaching methodologies in teaching the English language. Students will review the International Primary Curriculum and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the application of these documents in English language classrooms.

Students will learn the skills, strategies and activities to teach listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar in the context of the English language in the primary classroom. This module is delivered via face-to-face, online and blended learning modes. Students will continuously be involved in discussions, self-directed learning and project-based and collaborative learning. This module is assessed via course assessment and final examination. Students will learn to design assessment tasks based on the skills related to teaching English language.

Students will also learn classroom management and lesson planning by which teachers can create and maintain appropriate behaviour of students in classroom settings to enhance students’ academic engagement.

Students will be assessed on the design of a lesson plan which will include activities and assessment for those activities, a discussion paper on ELT methodologies, and an essay on applying key concepts and principles in the teaching of the English language. Course assessments include both group and individual tasks. Students will be assessed in the domains of knowledge and communication skills.

LANGUAGE USE AND SOCIETY

Language is one of the most powerful emblems of social behaviour. This course discusses how we use language to send vital social messages about who we are, where we come from, and with whom we associate. Students will explore how the use of language in society has become an increasingly important and popular field of study that determines teaching and learning in the classroom.

This course also examines how the role of the teacher is influenced by language that is based on gender, social class, policies and the emergence of technologies. The course thus offers a unique opportunity to bring together theory and application in the study of language use and society. Students will get to be involved in self-directed, project-based and collaborative learning. This module is delivered via face-to-face, online and blended learning modes, where students get to work independently and also in groups. This module is assessed via course assessment and final examination.

NUMBER & ALGEBRA

This module introduces students to numbers and algebra in primary school mathematics. It exposes students to the aims of teaching number and algebra in primary school mathematics, the key ideas and concepts in number and algebra at the primary level, and the notion of arithmetic and algebraic thinking. It also analyses the organisation of contents in number and algebra in the primary mathematics curriculum and research on the learning of numbers and algebra at the primary level.

Students will also learn how to solve and design problems related to number and algebra at the primary level taking into consideration the mathematical thinking and processes involved in the context of learning to be competent at teaching number and algebra in primary school. This module is delivered via face-to-face, online, and blended learning modes. Lectures, tutorials, discussions and independent learning modes will be used to facilitate discussions.

Both guided (synchronous and asynchronous) sessions will be offered to ensure optimal engagement and learning opportunities. This module is assessed via course assessments namely test, presentation and lesson planning. Course assessments include both grouped and individual tasks. Students will be assessed in the domains of knowledge and problem-solving skills.

MEASUREMENT & GEOMETRY

This module introduces students to measurement and geometry in primary school mathematics. It exposes students to the aims of teaching measurement and geometry in primary school mathematics, the key ideas and concepts in measurement and geometry at the primary level, and the notion of geometrical thinking.

It also analyses the organisation of contents in measurement and geometry in the primary mathematics curriculum and research on the learning of measurement and geometry at the primary level. Students will also learn how to solve and design problems related to measurement and geometry at the primary level taking into consideration the mathematical thinking and processes involved in the context of learning to be competent at teaching measurement and geometry in primary school.

This module is delivered via face-to-face, online, and blended learning modes. Lectures, tutorials, discussions and independent learning modes will be used to facilitate discussions. Both guided (synchronous and asynchronous) sessions will be offered to ensure optimal engagement and learning opportunities. This module is assessed via course assessments namely test, presentation and lesson planning. Course assessments include both grouped and individual tasks. Students will be assessed in the domains of knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication skills.

STATISTICS

This course introduces students to statistics in primary school mathematics. It exposes students to the aims of teaching statistics in primary school mathematics, the key ideas and concepts in statistics at the primary level, and the notion of statistical thinking.

It also analyses the organisation of contents in number and algebra in the primary mathematics curriculum and research on the learning of statistics at the primary level. Students will also learn how to solve and design problems related to statistics at the primary level taking into consideration the mathematical thinking and processes involved in the context of learning to be competent at teaching statistics in primary school. This module is delivered via face-to-face, online, and blended learning modes.

Lectures, tutorials, discussions and independent learning modes will be used to facilitate discussions. Both guided (synchronous and asynchronous) sessions will be offered to ensure optimal engagement and learning opportunities. This module is assessed via course assessments namely test, presentation and lesson planning. Course assessments include both grouped and individual tasks. Students will be assessed in the domains of knowledge and problem-solving skills.

SCIENCE – SYSTEMS AND CYCLES

This module introduces students to the themes of systems, diversity and cycles in the primary science subject. It exposes students to the aims of teaching systems, diversity and cycles in primary school and what are systems, diversity and cycles at the primary level. It also discusses the organisation of systems, diversity and cycles in primary science curriculum and research on the learning of these three themes at the primary level.

Students will also learn how to solve problems related to systems, diversity and cycles at the primary level to be competent at teaching them in primary school. This module is delivered via face-to-face, online, and blended learning modes. Lectures, tutorials, discussions and independent learning modes will be used to facilitate discussions. Both guided (synchronous and asynchronous) sessions will be offered to ensure optimal engagement and learning opportunities.

Students’ attainment of the module learning outcomes will be assessed through two coursework-based assignments and a final examination. The coursework assessments include both individual and group assignments. Students will be assessed in the domains of knowledge, working together in team and communication skills.

NATURE OF SCIENCE

This module introduces students to the nature of science and the importance to be literate in science. It also exposes students to the stands of philosophers about scientific inquiry and the scientific enterprise. Students will analyse the nature of science in the context of primary science education standards and the role of teachers in imparting a sound understanding of the nature of science to their future students will also be discussed. This module will also expose the students to the prevalent misconceptions on the nature of science so that they can be competent at teaching science in school.

This module will be conducted 100% online, including but not limited to Google Classroom as the learning management system. Synchronous lectures, tutorials, discussions and independent learning modes will be used to facilitate discussions. Both guided (synchronous and asynchronous) sessions will be offered to ensure optimal engagement. The assessments of this course focus on students’ critical and reflective thinking. Students’ attainment of the MLOs will be assessed through three parts, namely a group project, position papers and a reflective portfolio. Course assessments include both grouped and individual tasks and students’ progress is monitored formatively, hence consistent feedback are provided throughout the module.

FLEXIBLE EDUCATION
[Choose ONE (1) of the packages:]

The Flexible Education component provides student the flexibility to study modules in a related or unrelated field from the same or different school to complement the Primary Major. It may be completed in a form of free electives, an extension, minors or a second major that typically requires at least one (1) semester of student learning time.

Minor

• Choose any Minor package* offered by Taylor’s University. Refer to the Complementary Study Guide for the list of Minor packages.

AND

Free Elective Modules

• Choose any TWO (2) Free Electives* offered by Taylor’s University. Refer to the Complementary Study Guide for the list of Free Electives.

*Subject to availability.
*Meet min. module pre- & co-requisite.

UNIVERSITY CORE

This component aims to develop critical thinking, build up social intelligence and cultivate civic responsibility as well as broaden cultural knowledge. These consist of compulsory and nationally-mandated study modules required by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.

• Social Innovation Project
• Falsafah dan Isu Semasa
• Life Skills for Success & Well-Being / Bahasa Kebangsaan A
• Millennials in Malaysia: Team Dynamics & Relationship Management
• Penghayatan Etika dan Peradaban / Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 2

*Students are requested to take Bahasa Kebangsaan A if they do not obtain a Credit for Bahasa Malaysia in SPM.
**All information is subject to change. Readers are responsible for verifying information that pertains to them by contacting the university.

Careers & Prospects

• Homeroom Teacher
• Education Counsellor
• Content Developer
• Edupreneur