Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

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

  First Professional Practice

• Unit Code

  PPA4150

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  10

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

The First Professional Practice is a Designated Unit, which provides Pre-service Teachers with the opportunity to develop an understanding of schools and schooling from a teachers perspective - and to start to learn the complex role of a teacher. The placement provides an essential opportunity to connect theory with practice and develop the knowledge, dispositions, understandings and competencies of a beginning teacher under the guidance of experienced professionals. This Professional Practice period is a 1 week block. All students are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice period as per the School of Education Calendar which is available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac and to give a full-time commitment to the school during the scheduled days. During this Professional Practice it is important that Pre-service Teachers learn to work collaboratively with Mentor Teachers, University Supervisors and their fellow students and in a way which makes them an asset to the Mentor Teachers with whom they are to work and learn. All Students are required to adhere to the School of Educations Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and Code of Professional Conduct for ECU Pre-service Teachers which are also available on the website. All students will require a current DET National Criminal History Record Check (NPHC) and a current Working with Children Check (WWC) before commencing this Professional Practice.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

This unit is available in both on-campus and residency pathways. Pre-service Teachers in the residency pathway will complete their placement in their residency schools.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Achieved a satisfactory level for a first period of Professional Practice, in each of the 9 Professional Standards for Teaching as outlined in the Guidelines.
2. Completed the minimum requirements in respect of observation and participation and "team teaching" as outlined in the Professional Practice Guidelines, or as negotiated with the Mentor Teacher.
3. On completion of the Orientation Professional Practice unit Pre-service Teachers should have:

Unit Content

1. Completing structured self-evaluations.
2. During the Professional Practice, Pre-service Teachers are expected to be actively involved in at least the following types of activities in the major teaching area.
3. Participation in class activities, with the Mentor Teacher taking the class, and the Pre-service Teacher working in a complementary manner.
4. Systematic observation of the teaching and learning processes.
5. Teaching the whole class.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The teaching and learning processes in this unit model participatory and co-operative learning strategies used by effective learners. Students are expected to participate in all lectures, workshops, tutorials and/or online teaching and learning processes. Students who find themselves in a personal situation where they are unable to participate should discuss the matter with their Unit Coordinator. Unit information is available to students via the PPA4150 Blackboard Site. The Department of Education Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools have the right to determine fit and proper persons to enter and practice in schools. For these reasons, all Pre-service Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current Department of Education National Police History Check (NPHC) and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this period of Professional Practice. Students must pass the assessments for the practicum in order to pass the unit. PPA4150 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. To demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners, students must abide by the professional standards set out in the ECU Student Charter and comply with the university policies and rules. School Professional Practice agreements dictate that the student will attend the placement on a full time basis and meet the attendance requirements of the particular placement. The student is to supply a medical certificate for any absences. Where absences exceed twenty per cent of the scheduled Professional Practice, progress in the Professional Practice will be determined by the relevant academic staff member after consultation with relevant school personnel. Pre-service teachers can be withdrawn from the school and the Professional Practice terminated at the request of the host school Principal. This termination will result in a Fail grade for this unit.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail 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.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

• ^ All Pre-service Teachers and Mentor Teachers will be provided with a copy of the Guidelines.

Website References

• All Pre-service Teachers and Mentor Teachers will be provided with a copy of the Guidelines.
• http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional-practice/essential-documents/secondary

^ Mandatory reference

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