Online Reflection Journal Entries 1, 2, 3, and 4.

As part of developing students’ understanding and awareness of current approaches to, and debates about early childhood curriculum and pedagogy, each student will maintain an Online Reflection Journal throughout the semester. The Online Reflection Journal is an open blog that is shared with other students enrolled in the unit. Students are expected to update their own journal as well as respond to at least one other student’s journal entry. Students will contribute to their own and others’ development and learning when they update their own and respond to others’ Online Reflection Journal - dates for posting online are included below. 

You will maintain a total of four entries in your Online Reflection Journal during the semester. You will respond to at least two other journal entries.

Assessment 1: Online Reflection Journal Entry 1 and 2​

Two-Step Process for Entries One and Two

There is a two-step process involved when working with your Online Reflection Journal.

1. Complete Entry One early in Week One (before Wednesday February 27) and Entry Two by the end of Week Three (March 15)
2. For grading purposes, submit your entries through turnitin on the due dates indicated for Assessment 1.

Online Reflection Journal Entry 1

Word Length: 500 words

Before commencing on your readings or listening to lectures, write reflections on:

1. What do you think of when you see (approximately 350 words)

1. the phrase ‘early childhood education’ and
2. the word ‘curriculum’?

Where do you think your personal understandings of these terms have come from?

1. List and briefly discuss what you believe to be the three most important characteristics of an early childhood teacher. Why do you believe that these characteristics are important? (approximately 150 words)

Reference to academic literature is not expected for this entry.

Online Reflection Journal Entry 2

Word Length: 700 words

After listening to the lectures and completing readings for Weeks 1 -3:

1. Revisit and critically reflect on your answers to Online Reflection Journal Entry 1. Clearly identify how your thinking and/or understanding has changed and what you believe caused this change. (approximately 450 words)
2. Finally, identify and briefly justify two issues or questions about early childhood curriculum or pedagogy that you would like to learn more about during this semester. (approximately 250 words).

Submission Assessment 1 to Turnitin on iLearn:

You will need to copy/paste journal entries 1 and 2 from your Online Reflection Journal into one Word document for uploading to turnitin. Remember to clearly indicate the journal entry number for each entry. See additional posting online guidelines on iLearn section 2.

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Assessment 2: Online Reflection Journal Entry 3 and 4

As part of developing students’ understanding and awareness of current approaches to, and debates about early childhood curriculum and pedagogy, each student will maintain an Online Reflection Journal throughout the semester. The Online Reflection Journal is an open blog that is shared with other students enrolled in the unit. Students are expected to update their own journal as well as respond to at least one other student’s journal entry. Students will contribute to their own and others’ development and learning when they update their own and respond to others’ Online Reflection Journal. All entries are to be made progressively over the course of the semester in order to meet the requirements of the unit. The unit coordinator will overview the Online Reflection Journals each posting week to monitor the progress of each student during the semester.

You will maintain a total of four entries in your Online Reflection Journal during the semester. You will respond to at least two other journal entries.

Three-Step Process

There is a three-step process involved when working with your Online Reflection Journal Entries Three and Four.

1. Complete Entry Three by April 5 and Entry 4 by May 3
2. Respond to someone’s post for Entry 3 by April 8 and Entry 4 by May 6
3. For grading purposes, submit your entries through turnitin on the due dates indicated for Assessment 2.

Assessment 2 includes the online reflection journal entries 3 and 4 and the two response journal entries. 

Submission to Turnitin on iLearn: You will need to copy/paste journal entries 3 and 4 from your Online Reflection Journal into one Word document for uploading to turnitin. Remember to clearly indicate the journal entry number for each entry. 

Online Reflection Journal Entries 3 and 4

Word Length: no more than 600 words per entry

For entry 3, you may reflect on either the topic in week 5 or the topic in week 6 or a combination from both topics. For entry 4, you may reflect on either the topic in week 7 or the topic in week 8 or a combination from both topics.

 From each journal entry, in your own words:

1. Identify and describe two (2) key ideas/concepts/discussions/issues from your unit readings that are of interest to you and you would like to think/read more about. (approximately 400 words)
2. Link each idea/concept/discussion/issue discussed in i) to something you have observed at your Professional Field Visit setting. (approximately 150 words)

Please respect the need for sensitivity and confidentiality and ensure you comply with privacy obligations. Your professional field visit site should not be identified and use only first names (or pseudonyms) for children, parents and staff if mentioned in your journal entry.

      3. Take a screen shot of another student’s reflection entry (not included in the word count).  Copy and paste your response to that student that shows how your               own understanding of that idea/concept/discussion/issue has developed/been reinforced. (approximately 100 words)

Base your reflections on relevant academic literature.

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Assessment 3: Understanding and Promoting Children’s Play & Inquiry

Word Length: 1800 words

Submission: Observation and Analysis Task should be recorded in .docx format (and saved as .pdf format – highly recommended) for uploading to turnitin.

In iLearn, we will provide you with videos of young children’s play and/or inquiry. There are two videos in Younger Children Group and two videos in the Older Children Group. You are to select one video from each group.

Part 1. Observation and Analysis of the learning potential of children’s play

You are required to write an observation of the young children’s play and/or inquiry and interpret this in terms of the learning potential presented for the children in the video.

For each video, please analyse the learning potential with reference to two topics derived from the lectures and readings from weeks 5 - 10. You can choose one topic from the content of two different weeks, or two topics that are covered in one week. The choice is yours, however, you need to ensure that you cover four different topics in total.

Part 2: Enhancing Children’s Learning 

Choose one of these observations, and imagine that you are the teacher in this scenario. Identify and explain how you would use two different intentional teaching strategies to enhance children’s play engagement and learning.

Note: You must use relevant academic literature to support your discussion and analysis in Parts 1 and 2

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Assessment Presentation & Submission Guidelines

Submissions of Family and Children’s Records 

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, adheres to the ethical practices of the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics (2016) and is the work of the student. Issues with the authenticity of such records will be investigated for possible forgery (see Fabrication in the Academic Honesty Handbook). 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 a centre or school. Use only the first name (or pseudonyms) for children, families and staff. Do not record details that enable identification of the site, and of the adults or children.

Assessment Presentation and 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
• It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all assessments are successfully submitted through Turnitin.
• Faculty assignment cover sheets are NOT required.

Draft Submissions & Turnitin Originality Reports

• Students may use Turnitin’s Originality Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing if this option is made available in the unit.
• Students are strongly encouraged to upload a draft copy of each 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.

Please note:

• Students should regularly save a copy of all assignments before submission,

• Students are responsible for checking that their submission has been successful and has been submitted by the due date and time.

Assignment extensions and late penalties

• In general, there should be no need for extensions except through illness or misadventure that would be categorised as serious and unavoidable disruption according to the University definition of same, see:  https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
• Applications for extensions must be made via AskMQ according to the Special Consideration policy. Extensions can only be granted if they meet the Special Considerations policy and are submitted via https://ask.mq.edu.au/. This will ensure consistency in the consideration of such requests is maintained.
• 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.

Requesting a re-assessment of an assignment

If you have evidence that your task has been incorrectly assessed against the grade descriptors you can request a re-mark. To request a re-mark you need to contact the unit convenor within 7 days of the date of return of the assignment and provide a detailed assessment of your script against the task criteria. Evidence from your assignment must be provided to support your judgments.

Note: Failed assessments cannot be re-marked as they are all double-marked as a part of the moderation process.

Please note: The outcome of a re-mark may be a higher/lower or unchanged grade. Grades are standards referenced and effort is NOT a criterion.

University policy on grading

Criteria for awarding grades for assessment tasks

Assignments will be awarded grades ranging from HD to F according to guidelines set out in the University's Grading Policy. The following descriptive criteria are included for your information.

Descriptive Criteria for awarding grades in the unit

In order to meet the unit outcomes and successfully pass this unit, students must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks. Where any submitted assessment task is considered to be unsatisfactory in this regard, the highest possible final grade that can be awarded for the unit will be 45.

Students will be awarded grades ranging from HD to F according to guidelines set out in the policy: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment-in-effect-from-session-2-2016

The following generic grade descriptors provide university-wide standards for awarding final grades.

Note: If you fail a unit with a professional experience component the fail grade will be on your transcript irrespective of the timing of  the placement.

Withdrawing from this UG Unit

If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice via https://ask.mq.edu.au before doing so as this unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following sessions and may impact on your progression through the degree.

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.

iLearn

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn. 

Students will need regular access to a computer and the Internet to complete this unit.

Weekly access to iLearn is compulsory for all students. Important assessment information will be posted here, as will other relevant unit notices and materials, including a reading template and guide to lecture note taking to assist your studies.

Various activities and materials for discussion and critical reflection are included and external students especially are encouraged to use this web component. Electronic links and suggested references will be included in the Resources section. Please check the iLearn unit regularly.

During semester time, staff may contact students using the following ways:

• Dialogue function on iLearn
• Official MQ Student Email Address

It is the students responsibility to check all electronic communication on a regular weekly basis.

Resources

The information in this Unit Guide must be read in conjunction with the following documents that are available for download from iLearn:

• Unit Outline
• Professional Field Visits Guide

Unit Expectations

1. On-Campus Workshops (MQ Domestic students only) will be held on four Fridays from 9am - 4pm in Building X5B, Level 0, Room 041

• ​​2 Mar, 30 Mar, 4 May & 1 Jun
• Punctuality and participation at all workshops is expected. Consistent lateness will jeopardise a passing grade. 

2. Live Online Workshops (MQ OUA students only) will be held on:

• ​​Wed, 14 Mar, 5-6pm AEDT
• Wed, 31 May, 5-6pm AEST
• Participation at both workshops is expected

3. Students are required to contribute to all online and workshop tasks

• Students are expected to read the relevant prescribed and non-prescribed readings before completing tasks and attending workshops
• Students are expected to listen to the relevant iLectures before completing tasks and attending workshops.

4.. All assessment tasks must be submitted.

Professional Field Visits Placement Expectations

• Students are required to complete eight (8) half-day (4 hour) professional field visits to an early childhood centre for children aged birth-5
• A Working with Children Check or State/Territory equivalent is required by the end of Week 3 to be eligible for a placement. Students may need to withdraw from this unit if this has not been obtained in time. 
• To be eligible to commence the professional field visits, students must have submitted all written assessment tasks and/or associated unit component requirements prior to the commencement of the professional field visits. 
• Students may not be able to commence their placement until all alleged academic honesty breaches have been investigated and concluded. 

**Withdrawing from this PG Unit

If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice by writing to des.pg@mq.edu.au before doing so as this unit is a prerequisite for three units in semester 2 and may result in an addition of 12 months to your program. 

Required Textbooks

These texts can be purchased from: Co-op Bookshop on campus or http://www.coop.com.au

Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2018). Programming and planning in early childhood settings (7^th ed.). Victoria: Cengage Learning Australia Pty Limited.

Crowther, I. (2016). Creating effective learning environments (4^th ed.). Ontario: Thomson

These texts can be downloaded from the links

Australian Government Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations. (2009). Belonging, being & becoming: The early years learning framework for Australia.  Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from

https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-02/belonging_being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_framework_for_australia.pdf

Early Childhood Australia. (2016). Early childhood Australia code of ethics.  Retrieved from

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/ECA-COE-Brochure-2016.pdf

Required Readings

Required readings can be found on iLearn in the relevant week. Note that due to copyright readings available through the library (book chapters that are not text books) will be available for three weeks only so you need to download these in a timely manner.  The readings will be available the week before the scheduled week and then removed the week after the scheduled week. e.g. Week 2 readings are accessible from Monday Week 1 and then removed Friday Week 3.

Structure

There are lectures and workshop tutorials in this unit. In the tutorial students will discuss issues and questions arising from the lectures and prescribed readings. They are expected to base their arguments/discussions on evidence from published research and other relevant material. Attendance at all tutorials is expected.  Attendance at on campus days for external students is also expected. There will be a supporting website for the unit providing additional readings, links and materials. Lectures will also be available through Echo in iLearn from the following website link: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Students are required to participate in small group activities, whole class discussion, to read the weekly material in advance, and to complete brief tasks either as individuals or in pairs. The weekly program for the course with the accompanying readings/ preparation is available on the following pages or on the unit ILearn site.

Lectures

Weekly lectures are available on the web through the ECHO360 lecture component. You must listen to all lectures if you do not attend these ‘live’.

PowerPoint slides are available in iLearn in advance of the weekly lecture and/or are available in the Active Learning Tool.

Access and technical assistance

Information for students about access to the online component of this unit is available at ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/. You will need to enter your student username and password.

Please do NOT contact the Unit Convenor regarding iLearn technical help.

No extensions will be given for any technical issues. Allow enough time for your submissions.

Assistance is available from IT Helpdesk ph: 1800 67 4357, or log a request at help.mq.edu.au. OneHelp is the online IT support service for both students and staff.

This unit requires students to use several ICT and software skills:

• Internet access: The iLearn site contains materials for this unit; it is also required for the online submission of all Assessment Tasks, and for the use of Turnitin submission for ALL tasks. 
• Word processing, visual representations, and document formatting: You are required to use an appropriate form of software to present your assignments.
• Uploading of assessment tasks to iLearn.

See iLearn.