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

  WPL6105

• Year

  2018

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  20

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Ms Gail Lesley BERMAN

Description

The on campus component of this unit prepares graduate pre-service teachers to engage in their first professional practice experience. This professional unit is an orientation practicum, and is the first of three experiences which are designed to support graduate pre-service teachers in achieving mastery of the specialised knowledge and skills which meet the professional standards for Australian teachers. This practice provides graduate pre-service teachers with 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 graduate pre-service teachers construct their own understanding of the role of a teacher, with a focus on the preparation and delivery of formal classroom lessons. The graduate pre-service teacher will work professionally and collaboratively with the mentor teacher to ensure they are an asset to both the school and teacher with whom they are working and learning. They will begin the process of acquiring the specialised knowledge required to be an effective classroom practitioner. Graduate pre-service teachers will be required to adhere to the School of Educations Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and Code of Professional Conduct. They are required to hold a current National Criminal History Check (NCHC) and Working with Children Check (WWC) before commencing their practicum. This is a designated unit. Mode of delivery is on-campus.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Achieve a competent level in each of the strands for Professional Development as addressed in the unit content and outlined in the practicum Guidelines and Final Evaluation Form for the practicum.
2. Achieve a competent level in each of the standards for Teaching Skills as addressed in the unit content and outlined in the practicum Guidelines and the Final Evaluation Form for the practicum.
3. Complete the minimum planning, teaching and assessment requirements as outlined in the practicum Guidelines.

Unit Content

1. Current theory and practice concerning management of student learning in an educational setting.
2. Communication and instructional skills for inclusive learning.
3. Effective teaching strategies that enhance learning engagement.
4. Reinforcement of critical reflection as a learning process and a tool for professional development.
5. Evaluation and assessment of learning experiences.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The teaching and learning processes in this unit model participatory and co-operative learning strategies used by effective learners. Graduate Pre-service Teachers are expected to meet an attendance requirement of 80% of lectures, workshops, tutorials and/or online teaching and learning processes and activities. Graduate Pre-service Teachers who do not meet the minimum requirements for attendance and engagement may have their placement withdrawn. Graduate Pre-service Teachers 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 unit 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. Graduate pre-service teachers must pass the assessments for the practicum in order to pass the unit. This is a designated unit, defined in the Universitys Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules as: a unit or unit of competency which a School 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. Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rule 4.9.6 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, graduate pre-service teachers 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 graduate pre-service teachers will attend the placement on a full time basis and meet the attendance requirements of the particular placement. The graduate pre-service teacher 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. Graduate 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