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

  Workplace Learning 1 - Junior Primary Practice

• Unit Code

  WPL4140

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

The campus-based course work in this unit will develop Pre-service teachers understandings of outcomes-based education, curriculum frameworks and the teaching cycle as it relates to the early childhood phase of schooling. Pre-service teachers in the residency mode may complete some course work in the residency school. All Pre-service teachers will engage in a minimum of 25 days of workplace experience in a junior primary classroom. The focus for this block experience will be on developing an understanding of the professional role of the teacher. Aspects related to planning, assessment and evaluation will be emphasized as Pre-service teachers engage in the teaching cycle. This is a Designated Unit, involving a placement in a school/centre where Pre-service teachers gain practical experience of school life. 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. All Pre-service teachers are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice periods 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/centre during the scheduled days. All Pre-service teachers are required to adhere to the School of Education's Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and the code of Professional conduct for ECU Pre-service teachers which are also available on the website.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Both on campus and residency modes of delivery involve work place experience.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded PLE6110, PPA4140

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the role of the educator in holistic learning.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of current theoretical perspectives and pedagogies in Early Childhood Education and the connection to classroom principles and practice.
3. Describe the nature and purpose of the relevant curriculum documents.
4. Meet the requirements ofthe teaching and professional development criteria as set out in the guidelines.
5. Plan, implement and evaluate quality learning experiences in the junior primary with reference to relevant curriculum documents.

Unit Content

1. Meaningful learning experiences for the junior primary classroom.
2. Relevant curriculum documents.
3. The early years' planning cycle of assessing, planning, teaching and review.
4. The process and documentation of planning a learning experience and/or series of experiences to achieve identified goals.
5. Work Place Learning experiences and requirements.

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 WPL4140 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. WPL4140 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 WPL4140 Guidelines. Pre-service teachers will access current curriculum documents online.
• Feeney, S., Moravcik, E., Nolte, S., & Christensen, D. (2010). Who am I in the lives of children? An introduction to early childhood education. (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.
• Fetherston, T. (2006). Becoming an effective teacher. Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
• Murdoch, K., & Hornsby, D. (1997). Planning curriculum connections. Melbourne, Australia: Eleanor Curtain Publishing.
• McAfee, O., & Leong, D. (2011). Assessing and guiding young children's development and learning. (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
• McLeod, J.C., & Reynolds, R.M. (2007). Quality teaching for quality learning: Planning through reflection. South Melbourne, Australia: Thomson Social Science Press.
• McNaughton, G., & Williams, G. (2008). Techniques for teaching young children: Choices for theory & practice. (3rd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Pearson Australia.
• Murdoch, K. (1998). Classroom connections: Strategies for integrated learning. Melbourne, Australia: Eleanor Curtain Publishing.
• Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2012). Programming and planning in early childhood settings. (5th ed.). South Melbourne, Australia.: Cengage Learning Australia.
• Jacobsen, D.A., Eggen, P., & Kauchak, D. (2009). Methods for teaching promoting student learning in K-12 classrooms. (8th.ed.). Boston, MA.: Pearson Education.

^ Mandatory reference

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