This information is to be read in conjunction with the Professional Experience Handbook 2017 and the ECHP323 Professional Experience Expectations.

Detailed information for each individual assessment can be found on the ECHP323 iLearn site under Assessment.

All assessments must be submitted and Professional Experience completed satisfactorily in order to be considered for a passing grade in this unit.

It is expected that students will select literature appropriate to the primary school context and age of children.

Department of Educational Studies (EC) Assessment Presentation & Submission Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines when you submit each assignment:

• Allow a left and right-hand margin of at least 2cm in all assignments.
• Please type all assignments using 12-point font and 1.5 spacing.
• All assessments must be submitted through turnitin in .doc or .pdf format for submission.
• Faculty assignment cover sheets are NOT required for this unit.

Draft Submissions & Turnitin Originality Reports

• Students may use Turnitin’s Originality Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing. This option is available in this unit for Assessment 1 only.
• Students are strongly encouraged to upload a draft copy of the first assessment to Turnitin at least one week prior to the due date to obtain an Originality Report.
• The Originality Report provides students with a similarity index that may indicate if plagiarism has occurred. Students will be able to make amendments to their drafts prior to their final submission on the due date.
• Generally, one Originality Report is generated every 24 hours up to the due date.
• Originality Reports will not be available for assessments 2 and 3.

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

• Students are responsible for checking that the assessment has been submitted through TURNITIN successfully by the due date and time.
• Students are responsible for the content that is submitted for the assessment and will be marked on what has been received.
• Students retain a copy of all assignments before submission, and retain the copy until your final grade for the unit has been received.
• Marks will be deducted if you submit your assessment late (refer to the ‘late assessments’ section below for more details).
• Late submissions due to last minute technical difficulties will incur a lateness penalty.
• No assessment will be accepted after the date that the assessment has been returned to other students.
• If an assessment is considered to be below passing standard, another staff member on the unit will provide a second opinion. No failed assessment may be re-submitted.
• There are changes to requirements for becoming a teacher in the primary school setting. From 2016 students will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy test prior to completing the final placement. Further information can be found: http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/future-returning-teachers/become-a-teacher/literacy-and-numeracy-tests/ In response to this, in this unit students are expected to demonstrate a professional standard of English expression in all assessable work which includes correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. Students who fail to meet this criterion will receive a failing grade overall for the particular assessment. Students who are concerned about their literacy skills are strongly urged to seek support via the library http://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus/library/research/researching_your_assignment/#S tudy%20and%20Writing%20Skills and also assistance with study and writing skills: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills

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:

https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration/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.

Note that:

• Students MUST speak with the unit coordinator prior to submitting their request through https://ask.mq.edu.au
• Extensions will only be granted in receipt of the completed form submitted through ask.mq.edu.au plus supporting documentation.
• Emails are not appropriate means of extension requests.
• It is essential that you plan ahead and organise your study time effectively. Poor time management is not grounds for an extension.
• In the case of computer malfunction, a draft of your assignment may be requested. Please ensure that you print out a draft regularly, so that it is available for submission on request.   
• Extensions are usually not granted on the due date.

IEC Professional Experience Unit Placement Expectations

• Students are required to complete 20 days of Professional Experience at a school on a specified grade.
• To be eligible to commence the block placement component of this unit, students:
  • Must have submitted all written assessment tasks and/or associated unit component requirements prior to the commencement of the block;
  • Must meet the attendance requirements for the unit.

• Students must be able to present evidence of the following prior to semester census date (26 March 2017 further information see: http://www.mq.edu.au/study/postgraduate-study/fees-and-costs/census-dates) in order to receive a placement for Professional Experience. Students may need to withdraw from this unit if this has not been obtained in time: 

  • A Working with Children Check or State/ Territory equivalent
  • Anaphylaxis certificate for training (practical and on line training)
  • Child Protection certificate from online training.

• Students are expected to negotiate with the supervising teacher to complete five (5) observation days at times that do not impact on attendance at tutorials for this or other units. Students who are completing a unit offered by another department are expected to inform and negotiate with that unit convener about their professional experience block dates and to discuss how that unit's requirements can be met. For some situations, it may mean that you are enrolled externally for that unit so that your attendance for tutorials for that unit is not impacted.

• Feedback from Tertiary Supervisors and/or Supervising Teachers is of a general nature. It is incumbent on the student to check the requirements of assessments against the marking criteria and unit outcomes prior to submission.

• In order to meet the Professional Experience expectations of this unit, students must:
  • attain a ‘Satisfactory’ grade for their Professional Experience Practical Work in their Evaluation Report
  • attain a ‘Satisfactory’ grade for their Professional Experience Folder in their Evaluation Report

Withdrawing from this UG Unit

If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice by emailing iec@mq.edu.au to obtain an appointment with an academic adviser before withdrawing. This unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following semesters and may impact on your progression through the degree.

Family and Children’s Records at IEC

Some assessment tasks require students to submit records about families and about children and their learning. It is expected that the records submitted are original, authentic, adhere to the ethical practices of the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics (2006) and is the work of the student. Issues with the authenticity of such records will be investigated for possible forgery (see Academic Honesty Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html for further information). Please note that submitted records can only be used once for assessment purposes.

Confidentiality

Students must respect the need for sensitivity and confidentially and ensure that privacy obligations are met. There should be nothing in assessment submissions that identifies school. Use only the first name for children, parents and staff. Do not record details that enable identification of the site, and of the adults or children.

Department of Educational Studies (EC) Academic Honesty Guidelines:

All assignments should cite and provide full bibliographical details of all material that you have used to inform or support your ideas. At the Institute of Early Childhood, students are required to use the American Psychological Association (APA) referencing procedures. Full details about how to cite and reference correctly can be found in Perrin (2015) and in the Department of Educational Studies (EC) Academic Honesty Handbook.

Required text

Perrin, R. (2015). Pocket guide to APA style (5th ed.). Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.

Grades

Grades will be awarded at the completion of the unit according to the following criteria.

HD           High Distinction  85-100% 

Provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the discipline.

D             Distinction  75-84%

Provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

Cr            Credit  65-74%

Provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.

P              Pass  50-64%

Provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.

F              Fail  0-49%

Does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.

It is the responsibility of individual students to be aware of pre and co requisites throughout their program. If you are considering withdrawing from this unit please seek academic advice as this may impact on your progression throughout the degree.

Students in this unit should read this unit outline carefully at the start of semester.  It contains important information about the unit.  If anything in it is unclear, please consult the Unit Coordinator. 

Students having difficulty at an time throughout the semester for example, with unit content, assessment queries or placement concerns are urged to contact the Unit Coordinator EARLY to discuss issues.

This unit will introduce the student teacher to the school curriculum and the importance of the relationships across schools and early childhood settings. This unit will also provide opportunities to explore appropriate ways to guide children’s behaviour and to refine and articulate a philosophy of professional practice.

Like all Reflective Practice units, this unit incorporates theory and practice by combining university-based study with professional experience in a school setting (K-6). It reflects an understanding that teaching is a complex undertaking, not a simple, straightforward series of skills to be learnt by copying another teacher. The unit is based on a belief that student teachers develop professionally through opportunities to make decisions and to act upon these decisions. The student teacher’s decision making will be informed by thoughtful analysis of relevant factors, careful consideration of possible outcomes and implications of actions, and on-going reflection about personal practice.

This unit does not directly teach curriculum content (http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/k-6/). Students are expected to use syllabuses (http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au) for KLAs in line with their school placement.

It is expected that students have a working knowledge of KLAs for Kindergarten to Year 6 from completion of prior units and from personal study.

Classes

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2017/

• 1 hour lectures will be available online 
• 1 hour tutorials will be held weekly for internal students. This Tutorial is timetabled for Thursday.  
• Students are expected to listen to the online lecture prior to coming to class. For external students it is expected that students listen weekly online.
• External students are to attend on campus day, Saturday 29th April from 9am – 5pm.
• In order to be eligible for a passing grade, students must meet the following attendance requirements:
  • Internal students must attend at least 80% of all tutorials
  • External students must attend all of the compulsory on-campus session on Saturday 29th April.