Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convener Luke Touhill luke.touhill@mq.edu.au Contact via 98504146 X5B358 Please make appointment via iLearn dialogue Tutor Jenni Burgess jenni.burgess@mq.edu.au Contact via via iLearn dialogue X5B279 Please make appointment via iLearn dialogue
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
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.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

An understanding of the characteristics of young children’s play and inquiry across different contexts
An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning
An ability to format and submit assignments appropriately and on time, as per instructions in the Unit Guide.
An ability to address assignment requirements using appropriate academic written expression.
An ability to identify key arguments in academic readings and use these appropriately to support the views expressed in assignments
An ability to use in-text citations and construct a reference list using APA 6th style.

General Assessment Information

Assignment Instructions

A full set of instructions for each assignment can be found in the Assignment guide, attached to the relevant section of the ECH113 iLearn site.

Presentation and submission guidelines

When preparing your assignments, it is essential that you note that:

Students must retain a copy of all assignments before submission, and retain the copy until your final grade for the unit has been received;
Assignment marks will be deducted if you submit your assignment late (refer to the ‘late assignments’ section below for more details);
Unless there are exceptional circumstances, no assignment will be accepted after the date that the assignment has been returned to other students. This is particularly important to note in Session 3, as marking turnaround times will be short compared with Sessions 1 and 2
In the case of computer malfunctions, a draft of your assignment may be requested. You are therefore required to back up your drafts regularly on an external storage device (e.g., flash drive or iCloud), so that it is available for submission on request.
All failing assignments will be checked by a second marker when the failure is due to unsatisfactory content. Failures that are the result of deductions for lateness may not be checked;
Assignments will not necessarily be marked by your tutor.

Submission requirements

All assignments are submitted electronically via Turnitin. The direct link to Turnitin for each assignment is provided on the relevant module section of the ECH113 iLearn site.

Assignments are due before midnight on the specified date.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THAT YOUR SUBMISSION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND TAKE ANY MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT YOUR ASSIGNMENT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE TURNITIN SITE BY THE DUE TIME AND DATE. YOU MUST ENSURE THAT YOU ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR YOUR ONLINE SUBMISSION TO BE PROCESSED, AS LATE SUBMISSIONS DUE TO LAST MINUTE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WILL INCUR LATENESS PENALTIES.

For each assignment, the online instructions page will ask you to acknowledge that you have complied with the academic honesty declarations as required by Macquarie University and the Faculty of Human Sciences. By submitting your assignment electronically, you are declaring that you have read and agreed to the statements on this declaration.

All written submissions are to be legible and professionally presented. Please follow the guidelines below:

Please type all assignments using 12 point font and 1.5 or double-space the lines.
Allow a right and left-hand margin of at least 3cm in all assignments. This allows us to attach, and you to read your feedback comments easily.
Use APA referencing style to acknowledge your sources and support your ideas with in-text referencing (See IEC referencing guide for more information).
Include a full reference list of all works that are cited within your assignment

Understanding the Assessment process for this unit

For details on how assignments in this unit are assessed, including information on expected performance in the academic literacy and knowledge content outcomes, please refer to the Assignment Guide attached to the iLearn site.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Reading Analysis	20%	14th December
Play environment analysis	30%	11th January
Module 3 online quizzes	15%	on or before relevant tutorial
Analysis of learning potential	35%	28th January

Reading Analysis

Due: 14th December
Weighting: 20%

600 - 700 word written analysis of a set article

On successful completion you will be able to:

An understanding of the characteristics of young children’s play and inquiry across different contexts
An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to format and submit assignments appropriately and on time, as per instructions in the Unit Guide.
An ability to address assignment requirements using appropriate academic written expression.
An ability to identify key arguments in academic readings and use these appropriately to support the views expressed in assignments
An ability to use in-text citations and construct a reference list using APA 6th style.

Play environment analysis

Due: 11th January
Weighting: 30%

Complete a 1000 word analysis of a self-designed play setting according to set environmental principles.

On successful completion you will be able to:

An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to format and submit assignments appropriately and on time, as per instructions in the Unit Guide.
An ability to address assignment requirements using appropriate academic written expression.
An ability to identify key arguments in academic readings and use these appropriately to support the views expressed in assignments
An ability to use in-text citations and construct a reference list using APA 6th style.

Module 3 online quizzes

Due: on or before relevant tutorial
Weighting: 15%

4 online quizzes on Module 3 lecture content, to be completed on or before the day of the associated tutorial for that lecture. Best 3 scores count towards final mark

On successful completion you will be able to:

An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to format and submit assignments appropriately and on time, as per instructions in the Unit Guide.

Analysis of learning potential

Due: 28th January
Weighting: 35%

1200-1400 words analysis of set play/inquiry scenario according to Module 3 content.

On successful completion you will be able to:

An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning
An ability to format and submit assignments appropriately and on time, as per instructions in the Unit Guide.
An ability to address assignment requirements using appropriate academic written expression.
An ability to identify key arguments in academic readings and use these appropriately to support the views expressed in assignments
An ability to use in-text citations and construct a reference list using APA 6th style.

Delivery and Resources

Organising your time

Macquarie University Session 3 is delivered over 5 weeks. The Session 3 teaching period spans from 8/12/2013 to 23/01/2013, which includes a non-teaching period from the 22nd of December to the 2nd of January. For a 3 credit-point unit, you are expected to allocate approximately 9 hours of study per tutorial, plus non-face-to-face time. This study amount would equate to approximately 120 hours over the 5 week period.

As a rough guide, this time would be broken down to:

	Per Session	Average hours per tutorial
Online lecture engagement	12	1
On campus tutorials	11	1.5
Tutorial preparation readings	24	2

Preparation and completion, assignment 1	10		N/A
Preparation and completion, assignment 2	16		N/A
Preparation and completion, assignment 3	8		N/A
Preparation and completion, assignment 4	24		N/A
Miscellaneous: consultation, reading unit outline, engagement with iLearn site, academic literacy support etc.	10		N/A

Total	115

The above guide is an estimation only, and you can expect to vary in the amount of time that you spend per week on this unit. Also, some times will also be more intensive that others.

As you can see, Session 3 study is VERY INTENSIVE, so it is very important that you fully commit yourself at this time. To be successful in this unit, you should keep this time commitment in mind and organise your study program accordingly.

Required text and readings

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: Unit Readings (3^rd Edition). Sydney, Pearson

Please note that there are significant changes in this edition from previous editions, so it will be important to obtain the 3^rd edition (i.e. the one linked to here).

Other required and additional readings

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 and assignment 1. 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, 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.

Unit website

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. In addition, it has the following features and functions:

Links to required readings and assignment resources

Assignment submission links: For you to submit your assignment work

Discussion forums: For you to clarify any assignment expectations with your peers

Dialogue: for private messages to members of the teaching staff.

Please note:

The discussion and dialogue functions on the website not substitutes for reading the unit outline and associated expectations, guidelines or information. It is not a personal ‘help-line’, but is there to support your engagement in the unit and communication with other students and teaching staff.
Unit staff will respond to dialogue emails in a timely manner. Please be aware that we have multiple teaching and researching commitments, so may take a couple of days to respond. It is unrealistic to expect us to respond after work hours or during weekends.
Finally, please follow accepted modes of communication that are appropriate for an academic website. E.g., Please use standard English in your posts and emails (don’t ‘SMS/text type’ –We’re way too old for that!), and please consider the tone of any email or posting – respectful communications are expected, and disrespectful ones will be deleted or returned to sender.

Unit Schedule

TUTORIAL CONTENT AND PREPARATION

It is expected that you will have listened to the lecture and read the specified required readings before you come to the associated tutorial.

You will need to bring your lecture notes and a copy of the required reading/s to that tutorial.


MODULE 1: UNDERSTANDING PLAY AND INQUIRY
Tutorial day & date	Tutorial preparation and additional resources
1: Monday 8^th Dec	Lecture: Perspectives on play *Required readings:* Resource reading: Why play-based learning *Additional resources:* Unit Readings: Three perspectives on play (pp. 1-31) Stimulus article: Playwork: a professional challenging societal factors devaluing children’s play. Stimulus article: Constructive play
2: Wednesday 10^th Dec	Lecture: Inquiry-based learning *Required readings:* Unit Readings: The project approach: Active inquiry in early childhood (pp.32-55) Unit Readings: Born to play: Babies and toddlers playing (pp.60-68; i.e. from ‘Heuristic play’ to ‘Moving and Doing’) Resource reading: Inquiry-based learning *Additional resources:* Unit Readings: We want to play: Primary children at play in the classroom (pp.89-91; i.e. from ‘Opportunities for play’ to ‘Play to develop communication skills’) Stimulus article: Developing an inquiring mind Stimulus article: Revisiting “play”: Analyzing and articulating acts of inquiry
3: Friday 12^th Dec.	Lecture: Games *Required readings:* Unit Readings: We want to play: Primary children at play in the classroom (pp.82-85; i.e. from ‘Introduction to ‘Play and the developing learner) Resource reading: Air hockey and the Wood Game *Additional resources:* E-Reserve chapter (find via Multisearch): Scarlett, Naudeau, Salonius-Pasternak & Ponte. Organised youth sports
Assignment 1 due Sunday 14^th December
MODULE 2: CONTEXTS OF PLAY AND INQUIRY
4: Monday 15^th Dec	Lectures: Materials and resources for play and inquiry Health and Safety *Required readings:* E-reserve reading: Curtis, D & Carter, M. (2008) Learning together with young children: A curriculum framework for reflective teachers (Chapter 3). Resource reading: Landscapes for learning *Additional resources:* Stimulus article: Only children can make secret places
5. Wednesday 17^th Dec	NOTE: There is no face-to-face tutorial for this class Lecture: Play in diverse contexts *Required readings:* Unit Readings: ‘We don’t play like that here’: Social, cultural and gender perspectives on play (pp. 108-110; i.e. up to ‘Social theories of learning …’ *and then* pp. 116-132; i.e. from ‘Cultural-historical theories …’ to chapter end). *Additional resources:* Stimulus article: Parent-child social play in a children’s museum
MID SESSION RECESS: MONDAY 23^RD DECEMBER TO FRIDAY 3^RD JANUARY
6: Monday 5^th Jan	Lecture: Playing outside *Required readings:* Unit readings: Outdoor play (pp.113-160) Resource reading: Rethinking outdoor environments (part B) *Additional resources:* Stimulus article: Rethinking outdoor environments (Part A) Stimulus article: Learning in outdoor spaces Stimulus article: Who needs a forest?
7. Wednesday 7^th Jan	NOTE that the practical preparation for Assignment 2 is completed in tutorial 7 Lecture: Extending and enhancing play and inquiry *Required readings:* Unit Reading: Orchestrating play: Interactions with children (pp.162-187), Resource reading: Responding to children’s play *Additional resources:* Unit Readings: ‘We don’t play like that here’: Social, cultural and gender perspectives on play (pp.110-116; ie. From ‘Social theories of learning …’ to ‘Cultural-historical theories of …’) Stimulus reading: Powerful interactions
Assignment 2 Due Sunday 11^th January
8. Monday 12^th Jan	Lecture: Play, inquiry and technology *Required readings:* Unit Reading: Computers and technology as emerging toys (pp.188-210) Resource reading: Finding the education in educational technology *Additional resources:* Stimulus article: Too much too many Stimulus article: Young children’s play in online virtual worlds
MODULE 3: OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
9: Wednesday 14^th Jan	Lecture: Imagination and creativity *Required readings:* Unit Readings: Play as the cornerstone of development: The literature (pp.212-217; i.e. from Chapter start to ‘Play and the development of language and literacy’ and then pp.220-227; from ‘Play and logical-mathematical thinking’ to ‘Play and social-moral development’) E-reserve reading: Isenburg and Jalongo (2006). Creative thinking and arts-based learning: Preschool through fourth grade (Chapter 1, pp. 2-19) *Additional resources:* Resource reading: Young children’s creativity and pretend play Stimulus article: Assessing and scaffolding make-believe play Weblink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQb95itdoCM
10: Monday 19^th Jan		Lecture: Language and literacy *Required readings:* Unit Readings: Play as the cornerstone of development: The literature (pp.217-220; i.e. from ‘Play and the development of language and literacy’ to ‘Play and logical-mathematical thinking’) Unit Readings: Born to play: Babies and toddlers playing (pp. 74-76) *Additional resources:* Stimulus article: It’s all in the game Stimulus article: Engage, investigate and report
11: Wednesday 21^nd Jan		Lecture: Physical wellbeing and development *Required readings:* E-Reserve: Wyver, S., Tranter, P., Sandseter, E.B.H., Naughton, G., Little, H., Bundy, A., Ragen, J., & Engelen, L. (2012). Places to play outdoors: Sedentary and safe or active and risky? Resource reading: Bubble-wrapped kids *Additional resources:* *Weblink:* http://sydney.edu.au/health-sciences/sydney-playground-project/
12: Friday 23^th Jan		Lecture: Social development and relationships *Required readings:* E-Reserve reading: Degotardi, S., & Pearson, E (2010). Knowing me, knowing you: The relationship dimensions of infant-toddler play Unit Readings: Play as the cornerstone of development: The literature (pp.227-232; From ‘Play and social-moral development’ to chapter end) *Additional resources:* Stimulus article: Superhero play E-Reserve: Broadhead, P. (2010). Building friendship through playful learning in the early years.
ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE WEDNESDAY 28^th JANUARY

YOUR RESULTS WILL BE RELEASED BY THE UNIVERSITY, AND AVAILABLE VIA YOUR E-STUDENT ACCOUNT, ON THE 12^th FEBRUARY 2015

Policies and Procedures

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.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning
An ability to format and submit assignments appropriately and on time, as per instructions in the Unit Guide.

Assessment tasks

Reading Analysis
Play environment analysis
Module 3 online quizzes

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

An understanding of the characteristics of young children’s play and inquiry across different contexts
An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning

Assessment tasks

Reading Analysis
Play environment analysis
Module 3 online quizzes
Analysis of learning potential

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

An understanding of the characteristics of young children’s play and inquiry across different contexts
An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning
An ability to address assignment requirements using appropriate academic written expression.

Assessment tasks

Reading Analysis
Play environment analysis
Analysis of learning potential

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

An understanding of the characteristics of young children’s play and inquiry across different contexts
An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning
An ability to address assignment requirements using appropriate academic written expression.
An ability to identify key arguments in academic readings and use these appropriately to support the views expressed in assignments

Assessment tasks

Reading Analysis
Play environment analysis
Analysis of learning potential

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

An understanding of the characteristics of young children’s play and inquiry across different contexts
An ability to identify and apply relevant theoretical knowledge about play and inquiry in order to address the assignment requirements.
An ability to analyse the features and potentials of young children’s play environments and materials
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning

Assessment tasks

Play environment analysis
Analysis of learning potential

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

An ability to address assignment requirements using appropriate academic written expression.
An ability to identify key arguments in academic readings and use these appropriately to support the views expressed in assignments
An ability to use in-text citations and construct a reference list using APA 6th style.

Assessment tasks

Reading Analysis
Play environment analysis
Module 3 online quizzes
Analysis of learning potential

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

An understanding of the characteristics of young children’s play and inquiry across different contexts
An ability to generate ideas about play/inquiry experiences that will enhance children’s experiences and learning
An ability to format and submit assignments appropriately and on time, as per instructions in the Unit Guide.

Assessment tasks

Module 3 online quizzes
Analysis of learning potential

What has changed from 2013

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.