Students

EDST4030 – Practice of Teaching: The Emerging Professional K-6

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor (Academic)
John De Nobile
Contact via email
29 Wally's Walk Room 357
Tuesdays & Wednesdays by appointment
PEx Convenor
Laurinda Lomas
Contact via email
29 Wally's Walk Room 272
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(EDST3000 or EDST300) and (EDST3100 or EDST310)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This is a Professional Experience unit that builds upon the knowledge and understanding of assessment principles and classroom practices, and on using data to make informed pedagogical decisions and enhance student learning. The unit will focus on utilising data to develop effective teaching and learning activities for diverse learners. Strategies for behaviour and classroom management to ensure a supportive and safe learning environment will be explored. Students will link reflexive processes to planned actions to improve their teaching practice. Students will be required to work in a school under the guidance of a Supervising Teacher.

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: Interpret various forms of data to make informed assessment, pedagogical and curriculum decisions.
  • ULO2: Plan lessons and employ effective teaching and classroom management strategies to enhance student learning.
  • ULO3: Assess and evaluate teaching programs to improve learning.
  • ULO4: Apply inclusive strategies for diverse learners in diverse classrooms to enhance student learning outcomes.
  • ULO5: Design positive and productive learning environments to enhance student wellbeing and engagement.
  • ULO6: Link reflexive processes to planned actions to improve teaching practice.

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 11.55pm. 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 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.

 

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 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
Understanding Assessment of Student Learning 40% No 23:55 11/04/2023
Preparation for TPA: Diverse Learners 60% No 23:55 09/06/2023
Professional Experience Report 0% Yes 23:55 13/06/2023

Understanding Assessment of Student Learning

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 23:55 11/04/2023
Weighting: 40%

 

Students produce an information sheet and accompanying exegesis describing how students in a case study class will be assessed in relation to the purposes of the assessment regime. Maximum word length: 1000.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret various forms of data to make informed assessment, pedagogical and curriculum decisions.
  • Plan lessons and employ effective teaching and classroom management strategies to enhance student learning.
  • Assess and evaluate teaching programs to improve learning.
  • Apply inclusive strategies for diverse learners in diverse classrooms to enhance student learning outcomes.
  • Design positive and productive learning environments to enhance student wellbeing and engagement.
  • Link reflexive processes to planned actions to improve teaching practice.

Preparation for TPA: Diverse Learners

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: 23:55 09/06/2023
Weighting: 60%

 

Students develop a detailed plan to address the learning goals of a case study student based on situational analyses of a school and classroom and analysis of the specific learning needs of the student. Maximum word length: 2000.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret various forms of data to make informed assessment, pedagogical and curriculum decisions.
  • Plan lessons and employ effective teaching and classroom management strategies to enhance student learning.
  • Assess and evaluate teaching programs to improve learning.
  • Apply inclusive strategies for diverse learners in diverse classrooms to enhance student learning outcomes.
  • Design positive and productive learning environments to enhance student wellbeing and engagement.
  • Link reflexive processes to planned actions to improve teaching practice.

Professional Experience Report

Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 23:55 13/06/2023
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Submission of the final professional experience report form completed by the students’ Supervising Teacher and the register which shows the dates attended at the school and activities undertaken by the student on their professional experience.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret various forms of data to make informed assessment, pedagogical and curriculum decisions.
  • Plan lessons and employ effective teaching and classroom management strategies to enhance student learning.
  • Assess and evaluate teaching programs to improve learning.
  • Apply inclusive strategies for diverse learners in diverse classrooms to enhance student learning outcomes.
  • Design positive and productive learning environments to enhance student wellbeing and engagement.
  • Link reflexive processes to planned actions to improve teaching practice.

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

The following texts are prescribed for this unit:

Cavanagh, M. & Prescott, A. (2022). Your Professional Experience Handbook (2e). Pearson.

De Nobile, J., Lyons, G., & Arthur-Kelly, M. (2021). Positive learning environments: Creating and maintaining productive classrooms. (2nd ed.) Cengage Learning 

You can use copies of these books from your EDST2000 unit.

We will assume that you have a copy of both books and that you will use them in preparation for classes and assessment tasks.

 

Structure

The unit comprises 1 weekly lecture and 1.5 hour workshop. In the workshop (listed in Timetables as Tutorial) students will discuss issues, answer questions arising from the lectures and prescribed readings and engage in hands-on tasks. They are expected to base their arguments/discussions/products on evidence from published research and other relevant material. 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.

 

 

Information about the unit 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.

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.

Weekly lectures are available on the web through the ECHO360 lecture component. You must listen to all lectures.

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 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.

Assistance is available from IT Helpdesk

Ph: 9850 4357 or 1800 67 4357

Email: help.mq.edu.au.

On Campus: Ground floor at 18 Wally’s Walk

 

 

Unit Schedule

The schedule of learning and teaching (including weekly readings) is located in iLearn.

The block professional experience placement in this unit will be: 24/04/2023 – 26/05/2023

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgement of Country

The Macquarie School of Education recognises the Darug people as the traditional

custodians of the land upon which we learn and teach. In particular, we would like to

acknowledge the Wallumettagal clan of the Darug Nation, the traditional custodians of

this land, whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture the land on

which we are meeting and learning. Their interaction with the land over such a long time

suggests there is much we can learn from them about sustainability and respect for the

environment.

 

The local totem of the Wallumettagal clan is Wallumai, a black snapper fish that has

been described this way: "shy but clever fish, who uses the shadows and patterns

created by the mangroves to protect the younger fish. The mangroves are their nursery,

their school and their home. The mangroves represent life – the obstacles and tangles

that we need to navigate. Once we learn the right path to take, we are safe in that

knowledge and in our lives"*.

 

* Walanga Muru. Accessed from https://www.mq.edu.au/about/about-the-university/ourcommitment-to-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples

 

 

 

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

See the university timetable for information about when classes begin in this unit. https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2023/

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. Make up tasks may be given if attendance is missed to ensure all content is covered to meet accreditation requirements.

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.

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

 

Infrequent Attendance Students

Information about the dates if the on-campus sessions can be found in the university timetable. https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2023/

  • The on-campus sessions are essential to student engagement and learning and attendance on all days is expected. Failure to attend or to have an approved Special Consideration may result in a Fail grade for the unit. Please see attendance requirements in this unit guide. 
  • Prior to the on-campus sessions, you should have read the prescribed readings and listened to the lectures. Summarise the main points and make a note of the key terms and definitions. Prepare any discussion questions of your own that you wish to share.
  • Please make effective use of the online component of the unit and access iLearn regularly. Keep up to date with listening to the lectures on a weekly basis.
  • Further specific details and any updates about times and locations will be posted on iLearn as an Announcement during first half of the semester.

 

LANTITE

FOR UNDERGRAD PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDST2xxx and EDST3xxx PE UNITS

In order to enrol in your EDST3000/EDST3010 PE Unit you must have met the standard for both the Literacy and Numeracy test prior to commencing the professional experience placement unit. Enrolling in EDST3000/EDST3010 unit while waiting for your results will not be accepted.

 

Passing a Professional Experience Unit

To pass a Professional Experience unit, students must achieve a satisfactory result for their professional experience placement AND achieve a satisfactory result overall for their academic assessment tasks (where applicable) in the unit.

 

Professional Experience Unit Placement Expectations

  • Students must be able to present evidence of completion of several tasks prior to session census date (or as otherwise advised) in order to receive a placement for Professional Experience. Please check your email from the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Office. Requirements are outlined here as well: https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/pl-resources/pre-service-teacher-resources/induction-for-pre-service-teachers/mandatory-pre-requisites-for-pre-service-teachers-participating-  
  • Students must have submitted all written assessment tasks and/or associated unit component requirements prior to the commencement of the block
  • Students who are completing a unit offered by another department are expected to inform and negotiate with that unit convenor 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 any assessments or bookwork prior to submission.
  • If a Student is identified being in need of additional support for Professional Practice and/or Bookwork, the School of Education’s ‘Additional Support’ procedure will be activated and they will not be able to withdraw themselves from this Unit.
  • Students may not be able to commence their placement until all alleged academic honesty breaches have been investigated and concluded. 
  • The timing of placements can vary. For placements early in the Session, Fail grades may be approved by the University prior to the end of Session for students who do not meet the placement expectations of the Unit.

 

Fitness to practice requirements

  • Macquarie University operates under a ‘Fitness to Practice’ model as specified in the University's Academic Progression Policy.  For this Unit, this means that, when undertaking a placement, a student is declaring that they are able to demonstrate professional competence, acceptable professional behaviour, freedom from impairment, and compliance with program specific requirements needed for a student to practice properly and safely throughout their Practical, Clinical or Professional program or unit. It is the responsibility of the student to determine whether they are fit to undertake a placement. Therefore, if a student is feeling unfit to undertake a placement, they should not do so. For more information https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/academic-progression

 

Twice Fail Rule for Professional Experience Units

General Coursework Rule 10(7) stipulates that if a student fails a required unit twice in an undergraduate professional program listed on Schedule 2, they may be permanently excluded from further enrolment in that program.

 

Students completing a double degree will be able to continue with their other degree program provided they meet the academic progression requirements of the Academic Progression Policy.

 

Students completing a single Education degree (such as the BTeach/MTeach) are advised to seek academic advice.

 

 

 

The MSoE 5Rs Framework

At Macquarie University we aim to produce graduates who not only have relevant discipline knowledge and teaching know-how, but who also understand and strive for those capabilities that will make teaching a sustaining career for years to come.The 5Rs Framework, developed by the Macquarie School of Education, is embedded throughout your teacher education course.Your use of the 5Rs Framework will help you develop the capabilities that will make your teaching career sustainable and fulfilling. Embedded in all our teaching courses is the Macquarie’s 5R’s framework which helps develop our graduates to be:

 

1. Resilient

2. Reflexive in their teaching practice

3. Responsive to children, colleagues, parents, professionals and communities

4. Ready to learn, and

5. Research engaged

 

In this unit you will learn using the 5Rs framework in the following ways:

 

RESILIENT

You will need to balance a long PEx with their unit assessments as well as other life demands.

REFLEXIVE

You are required to reflect on practice and act on your insights during PEx and for related assessment tasks.

RESPONSIVE

You will need to respond to needs of students, in various situations, as well as the whole class in general during PEx.

READY TO LEARN

Constant reflection in and on practice means that you must be ready to learn from what you experience and apply that new insight.

RESEARCH ENGAGED

You will need to use current research to inform decisions and practice relating to student behaviour and learning.

 

 

 

 

 


Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook