Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Senior Lecturer Shirley Wyver shirley.wyver@mq.edu.au Contact via Through iLearn if enrolled, otherwise by email Room 232, X5B No fixed hours, but available for appointments most days during session.
Credit points	Credit points 3
Prerequisites	Prerequisites 6cp at 200 level including (ECH218 or ECH228 or EDUC262 or PSY235)
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit builds on material introduced in previous child development units. In doing so, the unit has two main focuses. The first is to develop students' skills in using child development research to develop effective programs and interventions for infants and young children. The second is to introduce students to research-based child development programs and interventions that have direct relevance to early childhood programs. Most topics support understanding of EYLF and PDHPE curriculum although links will not always be made explicitly.

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:

Investigate a child development topic in detail.
Become familiar with peer reviewed journal articles as a source of evidence in child development.
Understand the importance of evidence based approaches.
Understand limits to generalisability of research findings.
Appreciate the need to update knowledge regularly.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Journal article quiz	5%	No	11 December
Essay 1 or quiz	45%	No	16 Dec or 20 Dec
Essay or Exam	50%	No	20 January or Exam Period

Journal article quiz

Due: 11 December
Weighting: 5%

The purpose of this assessment is to ensure you understand how to access, read and interpret child development journal articles before progressing further in the unit. 10 multiple choice questions will be taken from an article on napping which has the doi 10.1080/15402002.2015.1120199

On successful completion you will be able to:

Become familiar with peer reviewed journal articles as a source of evidence in child development.

Essay 1 or quiz

Due: 16 Dec or 20 Dec
Weighting: 45%

Select one of the following:

Quiz option: 12.15pm-1.15pm 16 Dec

Quiz questions will be taken from 4 journal articles. Further details published in your assessment guidelines (posted on iLearn). You need to register by 13 Dec if you wish to select the quiz as your assessment option. The quiz is currently scheduled to take place in E7B 200, but check the timetable closer to the date in case there are room changes.

Essay option: 2,500 word essay 20 Dec (midnight)

Based on one of the ECH452 topics (refer to your assessment guidelines in iLearn).

On successful completion you will be able to:

Investigate a child development topic in detail.
Become familiar with peer reviewed journal articles as a source of evidence in child development.
Understand the importance of evidence based approaches.
Understand limits to generalisability of research findings.
Appreciate the need to update knowledge regularly.

Essay or Exam

Due: 20 January or Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

Select one of the following:

Essay option: 2,500 words due 20 January (midnight)

See the assessment guide in iLearn for more details.

Exam: During the S3 Exam period

Register through iLearn no later than 4 January to choose this option. Details of exam are in the unit assessment guide posted in iLearn.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Become familiar with peer reviewed journal articles as a source of evidence in child development.
Understand the importance of evidence based approaches.
Understand limits to generalisability of research findings.
Appreciate the need to update knowledge regularly.

Delivery and Resources

ECH452 has been designed for you to work at your own pace. There isn't a weekly schedule to follow. There will be Echo recordings that are lecture style and some that are designed to support you with your assessments.

Key Delivery and Resources

Lectures delivered through Echo (available through iLearn)
Journal readings

Unit Schedule

Topics include:

Sleep

Autism

Anxiety

Moral Reasoning

Physical Activity

Identity

Mind-mindedness

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_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Assignment extensions and late penalties

Applications for extensions must be made via AskMQ at https://ask.mq.edu.au as a "Disruption to Studies" request before the submission date. Students who experience a disruption to their studies through ill-health or misadventure are able to apply for this request. Extensions can only be granted if they meet the Disruption to Studies policy and are submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. This will ensure consistency in the consideration of such requests is maintained.

In general, there should be no need for extensions except through illness or misadventure that would be categorised as unavoidable disruption according to the University definition of same, and currently available at:

http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/exams/disruption_to_studies/

Late submissions without extension will receive a penalty of 5% reduction of the total possible mark for each day late (including weekends and public holidays). You are reminded that submitting even just 1 day late could be the difference between passing and failing a unit. Late penalties are applied by unit convenors or their delegates after tasks are assessed.

No assessable work will be accepted after the return/release of marked work on the same topic. If a student is still permitted to submit on the basis of unavoidable disruption, an alternative topic may be set.

Students should keep an electronic file of all assessments. Claims regarding "lost" assessments cannot be made if the file cannot be produced. It is also advisable to keep an electronic file of all drafts and the final submission on a USB untouched/unopened after submission. This can be used to demonstrate easily that the assessment has not been amended after the submission date.

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Investigate a child development topic in detail.
Appreciate the need to update knowledge regularly.

Assessment task

Essay 1 or quiz

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

Become familiar with peer reviewed journal articles as a source of evidence in child development.
Understand the importance of evidence based approaches.
Appreciate the need to update knowledge regularly.

Assessment task

Essay 1 or quiz

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 outcome

Investigate a child development topic in detail.

Assessment tasks

Journal article quiz
Essay 1 or quiz
Essay or Exam

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

Investigate a child development topic in detail.
Understand limits to generalisability of research findings.

Assessment tasks

Journal article quiz
Essay 1 or quiz
Essay or Exam

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

Investigate a child development topic in detail.
Become familiar with peer reviewed journal articles as a source of evidence in child development.
Understand the importance of evidence based approaches.
Understand limits to generalisability of research findings.

Assessment tasks

Essay 1 or quiz
Essay or Exam

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 outcome

Investigate a child development topic in detail.

Assessment task

Essay 1 or quiz

Changes from Previous Offering

This unit previously included a quiz on APA style to help students check their referencing and writing skills. If you are unsure of your abilities with APA style, check the Macquarie University website for their extensive list of links to style guides. For specific concerns, check with the unit convenor.

Assessment Flexibility

This unit provides students with a lot of flexibility in selection of assessment content and type. Think about your goals for the unit in deciding which type of assessment will best suit you.