Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer, Tutor and Convenor Laurinda Lomas laurinda.lomas@mq.edu.au Contact via email 29 Wally's Walk Room 272 By appointment
Credit points	Credit points 10
Prerequisites	Prerequisites ECH113 or ECHE1130 or (40cp at 1000 level or above) and admission to BTeach(ECS)
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit explores mathematical and scientific thinking, teaching and learning in early childhood education (birth to five years). Key mathematical and scientific concepts and processes will be investigated and considered in terms of theory, research, pedagogical practice and play-based learning. Students will gain in-depth understandings of how mathematics and science underpin ways of acquiring and processing information about the world, now and in the future.

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: Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the major theoretical developments, central concepts, modes of enquiry, pedagogical practice and inclusion of relevant technologies in early childhood mathematics and science.
ULO2: Develop skills in designing, implementing and evaluating learning experience sequences using knowledge from the National Quality Frameworks and other curriculum requirements of the Education Act.
ULO3: Begin to evaluate mathematics and science learning resources in light of their experience as a teacher of young children.
ULO4: Demonstrate research-based knowledge of the models of pedagogy for teaching and assessing mathematics and science.
ULO5: Develop an understanding of different learning approaches to teaching and learning and the need for pedagogical approaches that are socially and culturally relevant, including use of technology.

General Assessment Information

Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic honesty (see: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=3)
Unless a Special Consideration (see: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration) request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 23:55. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc).
Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Please format assessments using 12-point font and 1.5 spacing.
All assessments are submitted electronically. Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assessments.
Students can use Turnitin’s Originality Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing if this option is made available in the unit.
Students should carefully check that they submit the correct file for an assessment as no re-submissions will be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file in error.
Word limits are strictly applied. Work above the word limit will not be marked.
All assessments are marked using a clear marking scheme or a rubric.
Marking of all assessments is moderated by the Unit Convenor.
Applications for extensions must be made via AskMQ (https://ask.mq.edu.au/).
It is not the responsibility of unit staff to contact students who have failed to submit assessments. If you have any missing items of assessment, it is your responsibility to make contact with the unit convenor.

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. For Professional Experience units the PE Report is marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory and the Teaching Performance Assessment (in final PE units) is marked as not meets, meets or exceeds. 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.

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.

ASSET

Completing the Annual Student Survey of Education for Teaching (ASSET) forms part of the assessment for this unit. The survey is in 5 parts and students will be awarded 1% for completion of each part (5% total). Your responses to the survey are confidential and none of your identified responses are shared with academic staff.

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 your course progression.

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
Assessment Task 1A: Mathematical concepts and processes in storytelling	15%	No	23:55 10/9/23
Assessment Task 1B: Analyse two storybooks and design learning experiences	30%	No	23:55 10/9/23
ASSET survey	5%	No	23:55 06/10/23
Assessment Task 2: Science in play-based learning	40%	No	23:55 05/11/23
Tutorial Participation	10%	No	ongoing

Assessment Task 1A: Mathematical concepts and processes in storytelling

Assessment Type ¹: Essay
Indicative Time on Task ²: 14 hours
Due: 23:55 10/9/23
Weighting: 15%

Explain and justify how storybooks can support mathematical thinking and learning in young children (1000 words).