Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Effective from 01-JAN-2020 : 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 Experience in schools and early childhood settings culminating in a final Teaching Practicum in the final year 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. Students will complete a 2-week placement (ECE6140), five distributed days and a 4 week placement (ECE6180 in Year 1 and five distributed days and 6 week placement (ECE6160) in Year 2 the final year of the course. Further information regarding Professional Experience can be found at: https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional-experience

Duty of care

The Department of Education Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools have the right to determine 'fit and proper persons' to enter and practice in schools. For these reasons, all Pre-Service Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this period of Professional Experience. Further information can be found at http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional- practice/clearances

Attendance requirements

Generally host Schools and Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.

Professional practice rules

During the placement, it is imperative that Pre-Service Teachers always demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners. Pre-Service Teachers must abide by the professional standards set out in the ECU Student Code of Conduct and comply with the applicable University policies and rules. The Student Code of Conduct can be found at: http://policysearch.ecu.edu.au/PolicySearch/Record/767/file/document The host School/Centre has absolute discretion to terminate the Pre-Service Teachers placement prior to completion of the placement. Situations where this discretion has been exercised are typically where the School/Centre has had concerns about Pre-Service Teacher's conduct or performance. ECU may also withdraw a Pre-Service Teacher from placement in certain circumstances. Early termination or withdrawal from the professional experience placement may result in a Fail grade for this unit.

Implications of failing

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

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

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

Admission requirement (Band 6)

• Bachelor degree; or
• Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

Students must attain an IELTS Academic 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 Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to satisfy non-academic criteria, in addition to satisfying academic entry criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.

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 Gillian KIRK

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. Students who enrol in the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) will need to complete successfully both components of the personal Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) to enrol beyond 120 credit points within their course.

# 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.