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

  First Professional Practice

• Unit Code

  WPL4105

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This professional unit is an orientation practicum, which provides pre-service teachers the opportunity to make sense of schools and schooling from a teacher's perspective - and to begin to learn the complex and many roles of a teacher. It is vitally important that the student teacher construct their own understanding of the role of a teacher, with a focus on the preparation and delivery of formal classroom lessons. The pre-service teacher will work professionally and collaboratively with the supervising teacher to ensure they are an asset to both the school and teacher with whom they are working and learning. Pre-service teachers will be required to adhere to the School of Educations Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and Code of Professional Conduct and to hold a current National Criminal History Record Check (CRC) and Working with Children Check (WWC) before commencing their practicum. This is a designated unit. Both on-campus and residency pathway mode of delivery students take this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Achieve a competent level in each of the strands in Professional Development Mark as outlined in the practicum Guidelines.
2. Achieve a competent level in each of the strands in Teaching Mark as outlined in the practicum Guidelines.
3. Complete the minimum work requirements outlined in the practicum Guidelines.

Unit Content

1. Current theory and practice concerning management of student learning in an educational setting.
2. Introduction to communication and instructional skills for inclusive learning.
3. Introduction to effective teaching strategies that enhance learning engagement.
4. Reinforcement of reflection as a learning process.
5. Review of evaluation and assessment of learning experiences.

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 WPL4105 Blackboard Site. The Department of Education Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools/centres have the right to determine fit and proper persons to enter and practise in schools/centres. 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. WPL4105 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. 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

• ^ Students and supervising teachers will be provided with a copy of the Guidelines for the practicum.
• Marsh, M. (2010). Becoming a teacher: Knowledge, skills and issues. (5th ed.). Australia: Pearson Education Australia.
• Curriculum Council. (1998). Curriculum framework for kindergarten to year 12 education in Western Australia. Perth, Australia: Curriculum Council.
• Bennett, T. (2011). Not quite a teacher: Target practice for beginning teachers. New York, NY : Continuum.
• McDonald, T. (2010). Classroom management: Engaging students in learning. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford.
• Dixie, G. (2011). The ultimate teaching manual: A route to success for beginning teachers. New York, NY: Continuum.

^ Mandatory reference

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