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.

Please note that there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2023 Units. All assessment changes will be published by 20th February 2023. All students are reminded to check the handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

• Unit Title

  First Professional Practice

• Unit Code

  PPA6150

• Year

  2023

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  4

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Ms Tammy GREEN

Description

The First Teaching Experience for the Master of Teaching provides Pre-service Teachers with the opportunity to develop an understanding of schools and schooling from a teacher’s 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. Pre-service Teachers will have opportunities to work with Mentor Teachers and their classes, to learn and practise essential teaching skills and critically evaluate and reflect on their own experiences. Pre-service Teachers should also actively seek to gain insights into the complex and dynamic inter- relationship within the teaching learning situation, and to increase their knowledge and understanding of the work of secondary teachers and the culture of secondary schools. This Professional Experience unit involves on campus preliminary workshops, 1 week of observation and assistance in a secondary school followed by a 4-week block experience. 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 Schools and Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the placement 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.

Co-Requisite Rule

In Semester 1 PPA6150 must be studied with EDU6230, EDU6231, and major specialisation unit and minor specialisation unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Interpret and conceptualise the links between how students learn and teaching methodology, and use this to plan lessons using appropriate instructional procedures and resources.
2. Select and implement appropriate curriculum, teaching and assessment strategies for effective learning within a secondary education context.
3. Use skills to manage the learning environment, including anticipating challenges and developing solutions in the school context with support from the supervising teachers.
4. Reflect on personal teaching performance in collaboration with supervising teachers.
5. Develop an understanding of the professional teaching standards of conduct, in line with expectations within the school context including respect for global cultural diversity and indigenous culture in the classroom.

Unit Content

1. Preliminary workshops to inform and assist with preparation for Professional Experience.
2. The focus of the four-week block Professional Experience is on the major teaching area. Pre-service Teachers are also expected to carry out observation in their minor teaching area and teach in their minor area from the second week of the Professional Experience.
3. Opportunities to develop their curriculum knowledge relevant to their major and minor teaching areas and the Western Australian/Australian Curriculum.
4. Participation in class activities, with the Mentor Teacher taking the class, and the Pre-service Teacher working in a complementary manner.
5. Systematic observation of the teaching and learning processes.
6. Teaching the whole class.
7. Completing structured self-evaluations.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

For more information see the Semester Timetable

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 placement, 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 Department of Education Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this Professional Experience. The host School/Centre has absolute discretion to terminate the Pre-Service Teacher's placement prior to completion of the placement. Situations where this discretion has been exercised are typically where the School/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 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.

^ Mandatory to Pass