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

  Inquiry in Professional Practice (Child Care)

• Unit Code

  IPP1260

• Year

  2021

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  4

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Ms Dimity Jane FRANKS

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Description

This unit is the first in a sequence of four Professional Learning experiences in which students engage with the early childhood context. Students explore the National Quality Framework and examine ways of observing, planning and implementing experiences for infants and toddlers using the Early Years Learning Framework. Students undertake placements in an early learning centre which provide an opportunity to connect theory with practice under the guidance of experienced professionals. They will collect, analyse and use evidence about children's learning to plan, implement and evaluate learning experiences. The professional experience component of this unit comprises 15 days in a early learning centre setting working with infants and toddlers. Designated unit: This professional experience unit is deemed to be 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.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Generally, host Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the professional experience 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.

Prerequisite Rule

Must have passed 2 (I/W) units in {ECS1240, ECS1250}

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded {WPL1110}

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Critically reflect on knowledge of child development and learning theory with links to practice.
2. Demonstrate collaborative professional learning on campus.
3. Display strategies to set up and manage learning environments for infants and toddlers.
4. Establish positive relationships with families and educators.
5. Examine the National Quality Standard, the Early Years Learning Framework and WA Child Care Licensing Regulations and other relevant documents.
6. Identify features of quality early childhood provision for children birth to 3 years.
7. Implement care routines and processes that promote the health, safety and well being of infants and toddlers.
8. Meet the requirements of the Professional Practice.
9. Understand that teaching is an act of inquiry.
10. Use a range of strategies to reflect on observational data in order to plan and implement quality learning experiences for infants and toddlers.
11. Work collaboratively as part of a team.

Unit Content

1. Collaborative work practices in workshops and in the early childhood professional experience setting.
2. Communication and interpersonal relationships with families and educators.
3. Infant and toddler routines, health, nutrition and safety.
4. Inquiry and reflective skills for teaching and learning.
5. Link knowledge of child development and learning theory to practice.
6. Observation and planning strategies for toddlers and infants.
7. Policies and practices related to National Quality Framework and local early learning centre licensing regulations.
8. Relevant curriculum frameworks and supporting documents.
9. Set up and manage learning environments for infants and toddlers.
10. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ECA Code of Ethics, mandatory reporting and duty of care.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

The teaching and learning processes in this unit model participatory and co-operative learning strategies used by effective learners. Pre-Service Teachers are expected to participate in all lectures, workshops, tutorials and/or online teaching and learning processes. During the professional experience, it is imperative that Pre-Service Teachers demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners at all times. Pre-Service Teachers must abide by the professional standards set out in the ECU Code of Conduct and comply with the applicable University policies and rules. All Pre-Service Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this Professional Experience The host Centre has absolute discretion to terminate the Pre-Service Teacher's professional experience prior to completion of the placement. Situations where this discretion has been exercised are typically where the 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.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for Undifferentiated Pass/Fail units inc. practical units or work-integrated learning

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 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.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Core Reading(s)

• Kearns, K. (2020). Birth to big school (5th ed.). Cengage. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1131774580
• Kearns, K. (2020). The Big Picture (5th ed.).     South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Cengage. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1127131419

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