Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Effective from 01-JAN-2018 : Code I81

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is dedicated to producing quality graduates ready to take up employment across the early childhood education sector, including teaching children aged 0-3 years, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, pre-primary and years 1-3 in a primary school. Dealing specifically with children aged 0-8 years, this course focuses on the care and education of children in this age group in partnership with families and communities. This course is built on the principle that students come to the program with strengths from a diverse range of educational and life experiences. Reflective thinking and research, with an emphasis on links from theory to practice is valued, as students develop a deep understanding of the importance of building strong, positive relationships with children, families, communities and colleagues. Further, they are taught how to develop, implement and assess socially inclusive curricula where children are valued, respected and productively engaged in learning. The Master of teaching provides a teaching qualification for students who have already obtained a Bachelor degree or an equivalent qualification in areas other than Education.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

Central to this course is an extensive program of Professional Practice in schools and early childhood settings culminating in a final Teaching Practicum I the final semester of the course. Students have the shared responsibility for the education, safety and well-being of children in schools and early childhood settings, therefore the teaching profession demands the highest professional standards and personal ethics.

Duty of care

To undertake a Professional Practice in a school or childcare setting, all pre-service teacher education students over the age of 18 must have supplied ECU with evidence of the following two clearances: A valid National Police History Check from the Department of Education WA. A valid Working with Children Check from the Department for Child Protection and Family Support WA. Further information can be found at:http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professionalpractice/clearances

Attendance requirements

All Professional Practices are undertaken on a full-time basis and teaching students are required to give a full-time commitment to the school during the scheduled Professional Practice periods.

Professional practice rules

The Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and Code of Professional Conduct for ECU Pre-service Teachers can be accessed at www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional-practice

Implications of failing

The practicum units are designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by Board of Examiners. Failure to pass these units may result in exclusion from the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise teaching theory and practice in authentic situations.
2. Apply communication and collaboration skills to design innovative curriculum, learning and assessment activities in early childhood education.
3. Reflect critically on a complex body of education knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery of early childhood teaching.
4. Use high level self management skills to initiate, plan and execute an extended practicum.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) is required to practice in the profession.

Graduates must meet the Teacher Registration Board of WA (TRBWA) English language proficiency requirements for teacher registration in Western Australia. Further information is available at http://www.trb.wa.gov.au

Admission requirements

• Into a 120 credit point Masters Degree, a Bachelor Honours degree in the same discipline; or
• Into a 180 credit point Masters Degree, a Bachelor degree in the same discipline; or
• Into a 180 credit point Masters Degree, a Bachelor Honours degree; or
• Into a 240 credit point Masters Degree, a Bachelor degree; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years appropriate professional experience.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to provide a personal statement. In addition to satisfying academic entry criteria, applicants for pre-service teacher education courses at Edith Cowan University must also satisfy non-academic criteria. At Edith Cowan University, applicants' non-academic capabilities will be judged based on the submission of a 500 word personal statement. In this statement applicants will outline why they wish to become a teacher.

Students must attain an academic IELTS with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and, a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening.
Note:

• If secondary education and degree studies were completed within a period of 2 years before applying for registration in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, applicants do not need to provide proof of English competency.
• Applicants who have completed their secondary education in South Africa in English and have an undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University are deemed to have met English language requirements for entry to the Master of Teaching.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 2 Years
• Part Time: 4 Years

Course Delivery

• Mount Lawley: Full Time, Part Time
• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Marianne KNAUS

Course Structure

Students must complete the above two units LIT1200 (Personal Literacy) and NUM1200 (Personal Numeracy) to satisfy the requirements of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). All students who enrol in an accredited pre-service teacher education course (undergraduate and graduate) from 1st January 2017 will have to successfully complete tests about their personal levels of literacy and numeracy to graduate.

# Designated Unit - a Unit or Unit of Competency which a School has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by Board of Examiners.