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

    Becoming an Early Childhood Educator
  • Unit Code

    ECS1240
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

The focus of this unit is on inquiry into the role of early childhood educators and their professional work across a range of early childhood settings. It includes a professional practice component of one day per week in a school or centre context. The unit explores the multi-faceted role of the contemporary early childhood educator focusing on quality programs, advocacy and working with families and communities. Key elements of current pedagogical practices in early childhood are investigated. Students are given the opportunity to connect new understandings to practice and develop the knowledge, understandings and competencies of a beginning educator, under the guidance of experienced professionals. See the full unit outline for important attendance and participation requirements for this unit.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ECS1110, EDL1000, EDL1240, EDP1110, ERC1110

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Begin to use the Plan, Teach and Assess cycle.
  2. Describe the features of a range of early childhood educational environments and pedagogical practices.
  3. Develop an awareness of contemporary curriculum documents for the early childhood sector in Australia and Western Australia.
  4. Engage in professional learning and meet the requirements of the Professional Practice.
  5. Identify and analyse the characteristics and qualities of an effective early childhood educator.
  6. Identify and analyse the role of the early childhood educator in a range of settings.

Unit Content

  1. Qualities and characteristics of effective early childhood educators.
  2. The role of the early childhood educator including advocacy and working with families and communities.
  3. Historical and contemporary perspectives of early childhood education.
  4. Legislation, National Frameworks and Standards, contemporary curriculum documents and The Code of Ethics.
  5. Early childhood learning environments and pedagogical practices for teaching and learning.
  6. The planning cycle.
  7. Reflection as a professional practice and learning process.
  8. Workplace integrated learning.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This may include: Lectures Tutorial activities & discussion (on campus) Online activities Reflective processes Directed reading Professional Practice ECS1240 is a designated unit, defined in the Universitys Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules as: a unit or unit of competency which a Faculty Board has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once, unless otherwise decided by the relevant Board of Examiners. It involves a professional practice experience. University Rule 26 (6) states: Where a student has failed a Designated Unit, the student shall be excluded from the course unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners, and the student's academic progression status will be excluded. All students will abide by the University policies and rules and the School of Education Practice Guidelines. These can be accessed on the ECS1240 Blackboard site. School Professional Practice agreements dictate that the student will attend the placement on their allocated day, on a full time basis, and meet the attendance requirements of the particular placement. Students must pass the assessments for the practicum in order to pass the unit. The student is to supply a medical certificate for any absences. To demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners, students must comply with the professional standards in the Professional Practice Guidelines and provide all relevant documentation as specified. Failure to do so may result in the student failing the unit. A professional standard of attire should be demonstrated at all times. The Department of Education, Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools/centres have the right to determine fit and proper persons to enter and practise in schools/centres. For these reasons, all Pre-service Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current DET National Criminal History Record Check (CRC) a current Working with Children Check before commencing this period of Professional Practice. Pre-service teachers can be withdrawn from the school and the Professional Practice terminated at the request of the host school Principal/Centre Director.

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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssignment50%
ExaminationExamination40%
Practicum ^Professional Practice10%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssignment50%
ExaminationExamination40%
Practicum ^Professional Practice10%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ ECS1240: Becoming An Early Childhood Educator. (2015). Australia: Pearson. Note: Compilation of Readings
  • Marland, P. (2007). Learning to teach: A primer for pre-service teachers. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson.
  • Latham, G., Blaise, M., Dole, S., Faulkner, J., Lang, J., & Malone, K. (2006). Learning to teach: New times, new practices. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
  • Killen, R. (2007). Effective teaching strategies: Lessons from research and practice. (4th ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
  • Henniger, M. (2009). Teaching young children: An introduction. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
  • Henniger, M. (2004). The teaching experience: An introduction to reflective practice. Upper Saddle, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
  • Fetherston, T. (2007). Becoming an effective teacher. Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
  • Churchill, R., Ferguson, P., Godinho, S., Johnson, N.F., Keddie, A., Letts, W., MacKay, J., McGill, M., Moss, J., Nagel, M.C., Nicholson, P., & Vick, M. (2011). Teaching: Making a difference. Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Whitton, D., Barker, K., Nosworthy, M., Sinclair, C., & Nanlohy, P. (2010). Learning for teaching: Teaching for learning. (2nd ed.). Australia: Cengage.
  • Parkay, F.W., & Stanford, B.H. (2010). Becoming a teacher. (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
  • Groundwater-Smith, S., Ewing, R., & le Cornu, R. (2006). Teaching: Challenges and dilemmas. (3rd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.

Website References

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ECS1240|1|1

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

    Becoming an Early Childhood Educator
  • Unit Code

    ECS1240
  • Year

    2016
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

The focus of this unit is on inquiry into the role of early childhood educators and their professional work across a range of early childhood settings. It includes a professional practice component of one day per week in a school or centre context. The unit explores the multi-faceted role of the contemporary early childhood educator focusing on quality programs, advocacy and working with families and communities. Key elements of current pedagogical practices in early childhood are investigated. Students are given the opportunity to connect new understandings to practice and develop the knowledge, understandings and competencies of a beginning educator, under the guidance of experienced professionals. See the full unit outline for important attendance and participation requirements for this unit.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded ECS1110, EDL1000, EDL1240, EDP1110, ERC1110

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Begin to use the Plan, Teach and Assess cycle.
  2. Describe the features of a range of early childhood educational environments and pedagogical practices.
  3. Develop an awareness of contemporary curriculum documents for the early childhood sector in Australia and Western Australia.
  4. Engage in professional learning and meet the requirements of the Professional Practice.
  5. Identify and analyse the characteristics and qualities of an effective early childhood educator.
  6. Identify and analyse the role of the early childhood educator in a range of settings.

Unit Content

  1. Qualities and characteristics of effective early childhood educators.
  2. The role of the early childhood educator including advocacy and working with families and communities.
  3. Historical and contemporary perspectives of early childhood education.
  4. Legislation, National Frameworks and Standards, contemporary curriculum documents and The Code of Ethics.
  5. Early childhood learning environments and pedagogical practices for teaching and learning.
  6. The planning cycle.
  7. Reflection as a professional practice and learning process.
  8. Workplace integrated learning.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This may include: Lectures Tutorial activities & discussion (on campus) Online activities Reflective processes Directed reading Professional Practice ECS1240 is a designated unit, defined in the Universitys Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules as: a unit or unit of competency which a Faculty Board has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once, unless otherwise decided by the relevant Board of Examiners. It involves a professional practice experience. University Rule 26 (6) states: Where a student has failed a Designated Unit, the student shall be excluded from the course unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners, and the student's academic progression status will be excluded. All students will abide by the University policies and rules and the School of Education Practice Guidelines. These can be accessed on the ECS1240 Blackboard site. School Professional Practice agreements dictate that the student will attend the placement on their allocated day, on a full time basis, and meet the attendance requirements of the particular placement. Students must pass the assessments for the practicum in order to pass the unit. The student is to supply a medical certificate for any absences. To demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners, students must comply with the professional standards in the Professional Practice Guidelines and provide all relevant documentation as specified. Failure to do so may result in the student failing the unit. A professional standard of attire should be demonstrated at all times. The Department of Education, Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools/centres have the right to determine fit and proper persons to enter and practise in schools/centres. For these reasons, all Pre-service Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current DET National Criminal History Record Check (CRC) a current Working with Children Check before commencing this period of Professional Practice. Pre-service teachers can be withdrawn from the school and the Professional Practice terminated at the request of the host school Principal/Centre Director.

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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssignment50%
ExaminationExamination40%
Practicum ^Professional Practice10%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssignment50%
ExaminationExamination40%
Practicum ^Professional Practice10%

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

  • ^ ECS1240: Becoming An Early Childhood Educator. (2015). Australia: Pearson. Note: Compilation of Readings
  • Marland, P. (2007). Learning to teach: A primer for pre-service teachers. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson.
  • Latham, G., Blaise, M., Dole, S., Faulkner, J., Lang, J., & Malone, K. (2006). Learning to teach: New times, new practices. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
  • Killen, R. (2007). Effective teaching strategies: Lessons from research and practice. (4th ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
  • Henniger, M. (2009). Teaching young children: An introduction. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
  • Henniger, M. (2004). The teaching experience: An introduction to reflective practice. Upper Saddle, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
  • Fetherston, T. (2007). Becoming an effective teacher. Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
  • Churchill, R., Ferguson, P., Godinho, S., Johnson, N.F., Keddie, A., Letts, W., MacKay, J., McGill, M., Moss, J., Nagel, M.C., Nicholson, P., & Vick, M. (2011). Teaching: Making a difference. Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Whitton, D., Barker, K., Nosworthy, M., Sinclair, C., & Nanlohy, P. (2010). Learning for teaching: Teaching for learning. (2nd ed.). Australia: Cengage.
  • Parkay, F.W., & Stanford, B.H. (2010). Becoming a teacher. (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
  • Groundwater-Smith, S., Ewing, R., & le Cornu, R. (2006). Teaching: Challenges and dilemmas. (3rd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.

Website References

^ Mandatory reference


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ECS1240|1|2