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

  Assessing and Evaluating Young Children's Learning

• Unit Code

  ECS3260

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

Description

This unit focuses on authentic assessment and evaluation practices of young children's learning in early childhood settings. It explores the processes used to collect, document, monitor, interpret and critically analyse assessment data and to report on children's learning and development. Students will explore the issues and challenges as outlined in contemporary educational research. Students will examine a range of formal and informal assessment methods with reference to current theoretical and practical perspectives. The implications for making professional judgements about teaching and children's development and learning will be explored.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded EDU3265, WPL3110

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse, design and use a range of appropriate observation and assessment methods across early childhood education and care settings.
2. Critically reflect on current theories of assessment in early childhood systems and settings.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of assessment as a basis for future planning and teaching.
4. Design appropriate assessment plans for implementation across a range of early childhood education and care settings.
5. Examine ways of responding to assessment data and reporting to systems and families.
6. Make explicit links between observations and the documentation of children's development and learning.

Unit Content

1. Communicating with stakeholders about childrens' progress and achievements.
2. Current issues and trends in observation and assessment in early childhood education.
3. Current principles and policies of observations, assessment and evaluation.
4. Diagnostic assessment tools for assessing young children's achievement and progress and for the purpose of early intervention.
5. Formal and informal assessment tools and strategies.
6. Interpreting observation and assessment data and making professional judgements about future learning and development.
7. The assessment, planning and teaching cycle.
8. Ways of documenting children's learning and development.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures Collaborative group work Workshops Professional reading

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.

Text References

• McAfee, O., & Leong, D. (2011). Assessing and guiding young childrens' development and learning. (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
• Mindes, G. (2011). Assessing young children. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
• Puckett, M., & Black, J. (2008). Meaningful assessments of the young child. (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
• Wortham, S. (2012). Assessment in early childhood education. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
• Bentzen, W. (2009). Seeing young children: A guide to observing and recording behaviour. (6th ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.

Journal References

• Australasian Journal of Early Childhood.
• Journal of Early Childhood Education.
• European Early Childhood Education Research Journal.
• Infant and Child Development.
• International Journal of Educational Research.

Website References

• http://www.acara.edu.au/assessment/assessment.html
• http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/
• http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/
• http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/
• http://www.eric.ed.gov/