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

    Science in Early Childhood Education
  • Unit Code

    ECS2340
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Trish COLLINS

Description

This unit provides opportunities for students to examine the nature, development and application of Science learning in daily life for children birth to eight years. Students will develop their own scientific literacy knowledge while examining the theories, pedagogies and models associated with Science teaching and learning curriculums for early childhood. Students will design learning experiences for young children, including assessment strategies. This unit focusses on supporting children's explorations and participation in their immediate environments to develop positive attitudes towards learning about the world of Science.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed ECS1240

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCE2240

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply the theory and practice of inquiry-based teaching to the planning of integrated science experiences in early childhood settings across birth to 8 years.
  2. Plan learning experiences that promote children's engagement in science, using knowledge of early childhood Science curriculums.
  3. Integrate the Cross-Curriculum Priorities of the Australian Curriculum with Science teaching and learning experiences for early childhood (5-8) years.
  4. Critique teaching, learning and assessment strategies for a differentiated curriculum in the Science learning area.

Unit Content

  1. Theories underpinning the learning of science concepts.
  2. Early childhood curriculum and policy documents and their application to planning for Science teaching and learning.
  3. Student-centred investigation pedagogies, planning models, teaching strategies and experiences required for the development of skills and conceptual understanding.
  4. Enhancement of teaching and learning in the Science learning area through informed resource selection and application.
  5. Assessment strategies and methods `for', `as' and `of' learning in the Science learning area.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit supports development of curriculum knowledge and planning skills, critical thinking, and oral presentation skills in alignment with the course learning outcomes.

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 School Progression Panel.

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 information 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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationPresentation of a provocation20%
AssignmentRationale for inquiry-based learning with lesson plan40%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ParticipationPresentation of a provocation20%
AssignmentRationale for inquiry-based learning with lesson plan40%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam40%

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.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

ECS2340|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

    Science in Early Childhood Education
  • Unit Code

    ECS2340
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Trish COLLINS

Description

This unit provides opportunities for students to examine the nature, development and application of Science learning in daily life for children birth to eight years. Students will develop their own scientific literacy knowledge while examining the theories, pedagogies and models associated with Science teaching and learning curriculums for early childhood. Students will design learning experiences for young children, including assessment strategies. This unit focusses on supporting children's explorations and participation in their immediate environments to develop positive attitudes towards learning about the world of Science.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed ECS1240

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCE2240

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply the theory and practice of inquiry-based teaching to the planning of integrated science experiences in early childhood settings across birth to 8 years.
  2. Plan learning experiences that promote children's engagement in science, using knowledge of early childhood Science curriculums.
  3. Integrate the Cross-Curriculum Priorities of the Australian Curriculum with Science teaching and learning experiences for early childhood (5-8) years.
  4. Critique teaching, learning and assessment strategies for a differentiated curriculum in the Science learning area.

Unit Content

  1. Theories underpinning the learning of science concepts.
  2. Early childhood curriculum and policy documents and their application to planning for Science teaching and learning.
  3. Student-centred investigation pedagogies, planning models, teaching strategies and experiences required for the development of skills and conceptual understanding.
  4. Enhancement of teaching and learning in the Science learning area through informed resource selection and application.
  5. Assessment strategies and methods `for', `as' and `of' learning in the Science learning area.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit supports development of curriculum knowledge and planning skills, critical thinking, and oral presentation skills in alignment with the course learning outcomes.

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 School Progression Panel.

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 information 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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationPresentation of a provocation20%
AssignmentRationale for inquiry-based learning with lesson plan40%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ParticipationPresentation of a provocation20%
AssignmentRationale for inquiry-based learning with lesson plan40%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam40%

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.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

ECS2340|1|2