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

  Final Professional Practice

• Unit Code

  WPL4205

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

Description

The Final Practice for the Graduate Diploma provides pre-service teachers with an opportunity to further consolidate the connection between theory and practice and build upon the experiences gained in the professional practice program. Pre-service teachers plan and prepare appropriate learning activities suitable to the developmental needs and interests of the children in their class. This unit gives the pre-service teacher an opportunity for continuous teaching for a longer period of time in a more realistic situation. It allows the pre-service teacher the opportunity to further acquire and refine teaching skills, and to function as an autonomous teacher. This unit must be taken by both on-campus and residency mode of delivery students and is a designated unit.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 3 units from LAN4015, MPE4105 and WPL4105

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Achieve a satisfactory level in each of the four strands for professionalism as outlined in the Guidelines: responsibility for own development, professional attitudes and practices, professional relationships with staff and parents and professional responsibilities as a staff member.
2. Achieve a satisfactory level in each of the six strands for teaching as outlined in the Guidelines: planning, instructional skills, monitoring and assessing learning, communication and relationships, managing students and the learning environment and using knowledge.
3. Complete the minimum work requirements as outlined in the practice Guidelines.

Unit Content

1. Forward planning.
2. Integration of current curriculum and assessment guidelines.
3. Pedagogical personal belief system, which is theoretically justifiable.
4. Principles of assessment and evaluation pertinent to teaching in the primary school sector.
5. Professional Teaching Portfolio.
6. Situational/contextual analysis and learning area policy document pertinent to the FTP school.
7. Teachers, ethics and the law.

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 WPL4205 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. WPL4205 is a designated unit, defined in the University's 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/Centre Director. This termination will result in a Fail grade for this unit.

Assessment

GS2 GRADING SCHEMA 2 Used for performance and/or practical based 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

• Hammond, L. (2010). FTP support materials. Perth, Australia: ECU Bookshop. Note: Students and supervising teachers will be provided with a copy of the Guidelines of the practice.