Students

EDUC1070 – Introduction to Educational Studies

2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Anne McMaugh
Contact via Please use the Dialogue tool in iLearn for all communication
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces a range of key educational theories with the aim of enabling students to later engage in evidence-based classroom practice. Psychological, historical, philosophical and sociological perspectives are integrated. The focus of the unit is on providing students with insights into the most creative and innovative aspects of education. Students should be prepared to learn outside their 'comfort zone'.

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:

  • ULO1: Describe the contributions that research and thinking in philosophy, sociology, history and psychology can offer education and, in the process, outline the distinct structure, focus, and epistemology of each discipline.
  • ULO2: Articulate an evidence-based argument about what education is and should be.
  • ULO3: Provide a coherent critical account of developmental, social/emotional, and cognitive student characteristics that influence learning.
  • ULO4: Provide a coherent critical account of the external and structural factors (policy, politics, curriculum, and diversity) that influence learning.
  • ULO5: Demonstrate critical engagement with the educational ideas and issues influencing 21st century teaching.
  • ULO6: Demonstrate effective written communication and visual presentation skills.

General Assessment Information

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 

 

  • 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: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g., quizzes, online tests. Late penalties are applied by unit convenors or their delegates after tasks are assessed. 

 

  • 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: 

  • Please do not request a re-mark for a Failed assessment as they are all double-marked as a part of the moderation process.  

  • 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. 

  

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. 

(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. 

(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 

(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. 

 

Withdrawing from this 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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Weekly tutorial presentation (10-12 minutes) 20% No Weekly in your assigned tutorial
Research essay (1500 words) 40% No 6 April 2021
Viva voce: concepts of education 40% No Weeks 12 & 13

Weekly tutorial presentation (10-12 minutes)

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Weekly in your assigned tutorial
Weighting: 20%

 

In small groups, students will lead a tutorial in one week of the unit. Students will design a short presentation of the main idea in the weekly resource.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the contributions that research and thinking in philosophy, sociology, history and psychology can offer education and, in the process, outline the distinct structure, focus, and epistemology of each discipline.
  • Articulate an evidence-based argument about what education is and should be.

Research essay (1500 words)

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 6 April 2021
Weighting: 40%

 

Students select one essay question from the list provided in the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate critical engagement with the educational ideas and issues influencing 21st century teaching.
  • Demonstrate effective written communication and visual presentation skills.

Viva voce: concepts of education

Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 12 & 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Oral presentation (10 minutes) and writing (500 words)

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Provide a coherent critical account of developmental, social/emotional, and cognitive student characteristics that influence learning.
  • Provide a coherent critical account of the external and structural factors (policy, politics, curriculum, and diversity) that influence learning.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Required and recommended texts 

Weekly reading material will be provided in the iLearn site. It is very important that you complete the readings and reading questions before coming to your tutorial class each week. 

 

Information about the unit and iLearn site

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn.   

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

 

Assessment Tasks

All assessments tasks have a specific set of Learning Outcomes and an assessment criteria and rubric. The assessment criteria and rubric can be viewed in iLearn. 

 

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 reading questions and a guide to each lecture. 

Various activities and materials for discussion and critical reflection are included and online (or infrequent mode) students especially are encouraged to use this web component. Electronic links and suggested references will be included in the iLearn site. Please check the iLearn unit regularly.  

 

Weekly lectures are available on the web through the ECHO360 lecture tool. Some lectures may be delivered 'as live' online lectures during the weekly time and some may be pre-recorded and available in ECHO in advance. If the lecture is 'live' you can listen live and participate in any activities. 

 

Weekly tutorials are available in face-to-face classes or online via Zoom. One online Zoom tutorial will be recorded each week and made available in the ECHO tool.

 

If you are enrolled in the Infrequent mode of study you must also participate in lectures by listening online. Attendance in online tutorials will be essential for completing your assessment tasks which require you to make a presentation with your peers and give a viva voce in the assigned weekly class times in Weeks 12 and 13. You will complete these participation tasks as online activities with further instructions provided in the iLearn site. You must also demonstrate your attendance and understanding of the tutorial content by making a post in the Weekly Discussion Forum. 

PowerPoint slides of lecture and tutorial notes are available in iLearn in advance of the weekly classes.

 

Weeks 12 and 13

In week 12 and 13 all students will be placed in small groups to deliver your Task 3 Viva Voce presentation. This will include students in both Weekly and Infrequent modes. 

 

Access and technical assistance  

Information for students about access to the online component of this unit is available at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/index.php. 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. 

 

Structure 

The unit comprises a one-hour lecture and a two-hour tutorial. In the tutorial students will present and discuss issues and questions arising from the lectures and prescribed readings. They are expected to base their arguments/discussions on evidence from the unit, published research and other relevant material.

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

Unit Schedule

This is a 13-week unit.

There is ONE 1-hour weekly lecture and  ONE two-hour weekly tutorial ( face-to-face or Online).

All weekly topic information is available in the iLearn unit. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

 

School of Education Procedures 

In addition, the following policies and procedures of the School of Education are applicable in this unit. 

Attendance for undergraduate units 

All Internal tutorials begin in Week 1 of Session.  

Activities completed during weekly tutorials (internal) or on campus days (external) are essential for building the core knowledge and/or skills required to demonstrate the learning outcomes of this unit [and to meet the AITSL Graduate Teacher Standards and/or ACECQA requirements]. Attendance at all tutorials or on campus days is expected and the roll will be taken. 

Students are required to attend the tutorial in which they are enrolled. Any changes to tutorial enrolments must be completed officially through e-student. Please do not contact the unit convenor requesting a change. 

Unit Expectations 

  • Students are expected to read weekly readings before completing tasks and attending tutorials 

  • Students are expected to listen/attend weekly lectures before completing tasks and attending tutorials 

Note: It is not the responsibility of unit staff to contact students who have failed to submit assignments.  If you have any missing items of assessment, it is your responsibility to make contact with the unit convenor. 

Electronic Communication 

It is the student’s responsibility to check all electronic communication on a regular weekly basis.  Communication may occur via: 

  • Official MQ Student Email Address 

  • The Dialogue function on iLearn 

  • Other iLearn communication functions 

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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.


Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook