Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Education

This unit 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.

• Unit Title

  Early Childhood Practice and Pedagogy for Children 5-8

• Unit Code

  ECE6180

• Year

  2019

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Mrs Claire HALL

Description

This unit is built on the premise that effective teachers are active participants in learning communities and will implement inquiry skills for reflection and set goals for future professional learning. Students will investigate child development, growth and learning for children aged five to eight and strategies to motivate and involve young children in their learning. They examine appropriate planning, assessment, evaluation and reporting strategies for a diverse range of children in junior primary classrooms. Students will use curriculum documents and collated evaluation data for teaching and learning over an extended period. Students will apply knowledge of theory and research, reflect upon their own cultural competence and develop skills required to prepare responsive and inclusive and socially just curricula. This unit comprises of an on-campus component and four weeks of professional learning in a Junior Primary classroom with five distributed days leading up to the practicum. This is a Designated Unit involving a Professional Practice placement in a school/centre where students gain essential practical experience of school life. The placement provides a critical opportunity to connect theory with practice and develop the fundamental knowledge, dispositions, understandings and competencies of a beginning teacher under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Prerequisite Rule

I81 students must have completed LAN6120, MSC6110, ECE6140 and ECE6130.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a high level of understanding of the policies and processes used in school systems to plan, teach, monitor, evaluate, write IEPs, moderate and benchmark and report on children's progress in learning.
2. Critically analyse current literature on working with children with additional needs and apply knowledge of current theory and research on diversity and inclusivity to children's learning.
3. Evaluate curriculum documents, including the EYLF, NQS and WA Curriculum and pertinent policies for differentiated learning and mandatory reporting.
4. Design and implement a responsive curriculum based on appropriate assessment and evaluation of children's progress.
5. Critique and justify a range of motivation, engagement and teaching strategies appropriate for children in junior primary contexts.
6. Critique and apply knowledge of classroom ecology, management and positive guidance techniques that promote optimal learning.
7. Evaluate own performance and programs using the AITSL Graduate Teaching Standards and the National Quality Standard (NQS) and use this to inform practice and the setting of goals for future professional learning.
8. Meet the requirements of the professional practice.

Unit Content

1. Inquiry and reflective skills for learning; measuring goals and setting new goals for professional learning and development using the AITSL Graduate Teacher Competencies.
2. Policies and procedures for working with children with additional needs and mandatory reporting.
3. Assessment strategies for monitoring, moderating, benchmarking and reporting children's progress including curriculum frameworks and standardised and non standardised assessment tools.
4. Planning and teaching with differentiated curriculum to meet individual needs of children and reporting to families.
5. Effective junior primary learning environments, behaviour guidance and classroom management.
6. Cultural competence and working with other staff, families and communities.
7. Motivating and engaging children in learning.
8. Professional Practice Guidelines, the ECU Code of Conduct, the ECA Code of Ethics, the NQS, the WA Curriculum and Assessment Outline, mandatory reporting processes and the EYLF.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

A combination of lectures, workshops, guest speakers, videos, practicum, required readings and group and individually assigned work are used to achieve the unit outcomes. Students are required to become independent learners, contributors in workshops and competent team members.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

Core Reading(s)

• Cremin, T., & Burnett, C. (Eds.). (2018). Learning to teach in the primary school (4th ed.). Abingdon, Oxon ; Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Retrieved from http://linker2.worldcat.org/?jHome=https%3A%2F%2Febookcentral.proquest.com%2Flib%2FECU%2Fdetail.action%3FdocID%3D5323392&linktype=best