Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Sheila Degotardi
Contact via sheila.degotardi@mq.edu.au
X5B274
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines the role of play and inquiry in children's lives, their learning and development. Students develop a theoretical understanding of the characteristics of young children's play and inquiry and explore how environments, resources and teaching techniques can be structured to facilitate children's active and meaningful engagement in the learning process. Students will analyse the developmental and educational potential of children's play and inquiry across a range of contexts and will reflect on how play and inquiry experiences can be used to cater for children with diverse developmental, educational and cultural learning styles.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
‘Getting Started’ | 5% | 17th March |
Reading Analysis | 20% | 23rd March |
Play environment analysis | 25% | 27th April |
Module 3 online quizzes | 15% | within 1 week of each lecture |
Analysis of learning potential | 35% | 16th June |
Due: 17th March
Weighting: 5%
Multiple choice quiz based on unit expectations and lecture 1 content
Due: 23rd March
Weighting: 20%
600-700 word written analysis of a set article
Due: 27th April
Weighting: 25%
Complete a 1000 word analysis of a self-designed play setting according to set environmental principles.
Due: within 1 week of each lecture
Weighting: 15%
4 online quizzes to be completed within a week of the delivery of the lecture. Best 3 scores count towards final mark
Due: 16th June
Weighting: 35%
1200-1400 words analysis of set play/inquiry scenario according to Module 3 content.
The unit is taught via:
On-campus session 1: Students must register to attend on either the 12th or the 13th April
On-campus session 2: Students must attend on the 31st May
Student are expected to engage with the lecture content of the weeks leading up to each on-campus session before coming to that session.
1. Completion and submission of the written assessments to an overall satisfactory standard.Non submission of assignments 2, 3 or 5 will automatically result in a fail grade of a maximum of 45, and any subsequent pieces of work will not be assessed. Please see the note about non-completion of the assignment 1 and 4 quizzes in the full unit outline provided on the ECH113 iLearn site.
2. Attendance at all tutorials (i.e. both external on-campus sessions) is expected. Unless there are documented and extenuating circumstances, less than 80% attendance will result in a fail grade of no more than 45. Students prevented from attending as required due to illness or misadventure should either withdraw before the census date or apply to Withdraw without Academic Penalty (see information in the ‘organising your time’ section above).
3. Completion of preparatory readings and engagement with the required lecture materialbefore coming to the related on-campus session.
Macquarie University semesters are spread over 15 weeks, which includes a 2-week non-teaching time between weeks 7 and 8. For a 3 credit-point unit, you are expected to allocate approximately 9 hours of study per week. In the case of ECH113, this study amount would equate to approximately 135 hours over the 15 week period.
There are three principal expectations in this unit.
1. Completion and submission of the written assessments to an overall satisfactory standard. Non submission of assignments 2, 3 or 5 will automatically result in a fail grade of a maximum of 45, and any subsequent pieces of work will not be assessed. Please see the note about non-completion of the assignment 1 and 4 quizzes in the full unit outline provided on the ECH113 iLearn site.
2. Attendance at all tutorials (i.e. both external on-campus sessions) is expected. Unless there are documented and extenuating circumstances, less than 80% attendance will result in a fail grade of no more than 45. Students prevented from attending as required due to illness or misadventure should either withdraw before the census date or apply to Withdraw without Academic Penalty (see information in the ‘organising your time’ section above).
3. Completion of preparatory readings and engagement with the required lecture material before coming to the related on-campus session.
There is one required text which is available from the Co-op Bookshop on campus.
Degotardi, S. (2012). ECH113 Play and Inquiry in Early Childhood: Book of Readings (3rd Edition). Sydney, Pearson
Please note that there are significant changes in this edition from previous editions, so it will be important to obtain the 3rd edition.
The following text is recommended for Institute of Early Childhood students and students from other departments who are required to use the American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style
Perrin, R. (2010). Pocket Guide to APA Style (4th Edition). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning
You will need to access supplementary readings for your tutorial and assignment preparation:
The Resource Readings are ones that you require for your tutorial preparation. These are found in an appropriately labeled folder in the Study Resources and Assignment Links section of the ECH113 iLearn website.
Additional resources are not required for tutorial preparation, but can help you to develop a deeper understanding of the topic. These are listed as either stimulus readings, which are available in an appropriately labeled folder in the Study Resources and Assignment Links section of the ECH113 iLearn website or E-reserve readings, or E-reserve readings, which can be found via the Macquarie University library website. E-reserve readings are usually book chapters that have been converted to a pdf file for you to print or download onto your computer. These chapters plus other useful books can be found by typing ‘ECH113’ to the Multisearch function on the library homepage and then using the chapter title or author name to locate them. Please familiarise yourself with this facility as it contains some essential readings.
There is a website for this unit. Access to this unit is available online through iLearn, at ilearn.mq.edu.au. You will need to login using your Macquarie ID. This site is an essential unit resource. You are required to check this website at least twice per week for any announcements or messages. In addition, it has the following features and functions:
Study resources and online assignment submission links
Discussion forums: For you to clarify any assignment expectations with your peers
Dialogue: for private messages to members of the teaching staff.
Please note that this content is to be read along-side the full ECH113 Unit Outline available on the ECH113 iLearn site. The information below only provides the weekly topic. Your full guide includes information about your required readings and additional resources.
Session 1 starts on the 3rd March.
Week 1: Perspectives on play
Week 2: Inquiry-based learning
Week 3: Games
Week 4: Materials and resources for play
Week 5: Playing outside
Week 6: Extending and enhancing play and inquiry
Week 7: Play in diverse contexts
Week 8: Play, inquiry and technology
Week 9: Imagination and creativity
Week 10: Language and literacy development
Week 11: Physical wellbeing and development
Week 12: Social development and relationships
Week 13: Individual consultation and final assignment preparation
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
For full details on procedures related to assessment, assignment submission, extensions, and late assignments, please refer to the full unit guide on your iLearn site.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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The assignment structure and requirements have changed from 2013 in response to student feedback. Assignments are now more varied, with less weighting per task. They are also designed to encourage continued engagement with the unit content.
The structure and of the on-campus sessions has changed from 2-13, so as to scaffold external student learning more effectively across the entire teaching session.