Please note that a generic criteria for all assessment tasks requires students to make a genuine attempt to complete all assessment tasks.  Where this requirement is not met you will be awarded an FA grade with a maximum mark of 45. 

Please also note that plagiarism detection software is used in this unit for all Task submissions. 

 

Assessment Task 1: Research Project 1

Due by: 27/03/20

Submission: Submit your report as a Word document to Turnitin, available in the iLearn site. 

Weighting: 50%

Word Count: 2000 words maximum. This does not include your Reference list. 

A research synopsis including a literature review addressing a chosen research question and project justification. You will be asked to choose from a list of topics (to be provided) relevant to child and/or adolescent learning and development and to conduct a review and synopsis of literature addressing this topic.

Criteria: You will be assessed on how well you:

• Provide a clear statement defining and explaining the developmental concept in the research topic under investigation.
• Present a literature review with an appropriate and relevant selection of a minimum of five (5) peer-reviewed, primary sources.
• Review and synthesise these primary sources of research literature to provide a clear argument for the educational and/or developmental significance of this topic.

A full task assessment rubric will be supplied in iLearn. 

 

Assessment Task 2: Research Project 2

Due by: 15/05/20

Submission: Submit your report as a Word document to Turnitin, available in the iLearn site. 

Weighting: 50%

Word count: 3000 words maximum. This does not include your reference list. 

A report of research to a professional audience. You will be asked to develop an informative and evidence-based report in the format of a professional resource for an audience of teachers, school leaders, or parents. Samples of such resource formats will be provided to you.

Criteria: Drawing on the research evidence collected in Task 1, you will be assessed on how well you: 

• Provide a succinct and informative explanation of the developmental topic.
• Identify and communicate implications and practical strategies for education and child/adolescent learning and development.
• Effectively communicate your ideas in a professional and engaging manner, and with appropriate use of succinct written explanations, graphical devices, text boxes, and/or illustrations to communicate key ideas and concepts.

A full task assessment rubric will be supplied in iLearn.

 

General 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. 

 

Turnitin Originality Reports & Draft Submissions

• 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 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 judgements.  

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  and 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

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

In order to ensure clear distinctions between grades, final marks of 49, 64, 74 and 84 will not be used. The following generic grade descriptors provide university-wide standards for awarding final grades. 

 

Grade	Descriptor
HD  (High Distinction)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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.

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. 

 

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. 

 

Units with Submissions of Family & 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, adhere to ethical practices and are the work of the student. Issues with the authenticity of such records will be investigated for possible forgery. Please note that submitted records can only be used once for assessment purposes. 

 

 Confidentiality 

Students must respect the need for sensitivity and confidentiality, and ensure that privacy obligations are met. There should be nothing in assessment submissions that identifies a centre or school. Use pseudonyms for any children or adults referred to in the assignment. Do not record details that enable identification of a site, or of children or adults. 

 

Withdrawing from this PG 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. 

The internal day time class will include a three-hour workshop including lectorials and activities to reflect each topic. These will be recorded. The style and content of each class will vary depending on pedagogies suited to the material. This variation in pedagogy means that the quality of the recording will vary for the sections of the class that are conducted as activities or discussions around the room. 

Attendance Requirements for MTEACH students: Attendance at all lectorials, tutorials and on-campus days is mandatory for MTEACH students. All MTEACH units have an 80% attendance requirement.  This is a requirement for accreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority. A sign-on sheet and record of attendance will be kept in classes in this unit. 

Lectorial Recordings: These weekly lectorial recordings are available on the web through ECHO360. You must listen to all lectorials 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.  

The online class mode is only recommended for learners who prefer to learn independently. This mode of learning will require you to follow along independently and organise your time to listen to recordings or complete activities. As noted above the material recorded in classrooms may have varying audio qualities meaning the online learning experience is not the same as sitting in a classroom but will require more of your independence to complete the activities online. 

iLearn: All learning materials and resources will be available in iLearn or via the iLearn platform. For example, you can access workshop recordings in the iLearn site and you will be directed to reading materials in the library.

The library is a valuable resource in this unit. You will be required to access primary source peer-reviewed journal articles to support your assessment tasks. These will be available from the library by using the databases and search tool available on the library website.

Support resources: Macquarie University has a range of services for students. If you are struggling with any aspect of academic life or career trajectory and skills, we have great supports within the university. Please refer to the comprehensive list of support services here.  

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.  

Note: 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. 

 

This unit has a 10-week teaching schedule to accommodate practicum placements for MTeach candidates.

Please see your iLearn site for the weekly schedule of lecture and tutorial topics.