• 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 or a clear marking scheme.
• 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.

• Online quizzes are an individual assessment task and MUST BE COMPLETED by each student individually. Similarities in responses between students will be checked and investigated for possible collusion.

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.

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

Language and Learning Problem Set

Students are to answer a set of questions on the competency in essential discipline knowledge in language development and learning, as well as questions related to program design and assessments for students with language and learning difficulties (2,200 to 2,700 words).

Communication Problem Set

Students are to answer a set of questions on the competency in essential discipline knowledge in communication, as well as questions related to program design and assessments for students with communication difficulties (1,500 to 2,000 words).

Online Discussion Forum Participation

Students are to contribute to online discussion forums under each topic. The due dates for each task are indicated on iLearn. You will be asked to submit your discussion forum posts at the end of the semester using a template provided on iLearn. 

Required and recommended texts

Kuder, S. J. (2017). Teaching students with language and communication disabilities. Pearson, Boston, MA 02116.

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 iLearn unite site. 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

Structure

The weekly program for the course with the accompanying readings/ preparation is available on the unit iLearn site. 

Topics that will be covered in EDUC8270 (please see iLearn page for detailed lecture schedule):

• Introduction to Language, Learning and Communication
• Language Components
• Language Development
• Language and Reading  
• Language and Reading Assessments 
• Language and Learning
• Language and Neurodiverse Learners
• Language and Communication
• Language and Communication Instructions 
• Assistive technology and Augmentative Alternative Communication

The 5Rs Framework, developed by the School of Education at Macquarie University, 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.

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

Resilience. In this unit, students are encouraged to form study groups and participate in online forums. Given the unit materials are fully online and can be accessed with time and location flexibility, students are encouraged to plan their study times, break down their major assessment to small parts and work through them progressively, and practise time management skills throughout the unit. Being able to draw on personal resources and social support, as well as managing time and multiple tasks, are important resilience skills.

Reflexive. In this unit, students will be asked to share their knowledge and professional experience on the topics of language, learning and communication. After learning about the topics in the unit, students are asked to critically evaluate and reflect on their knowledge and practice. It is important to reflect and challenge our existing beliefs and make effective and impactful decisions based on research evidence to ensure quality teaching outcomes.

Responsive. For the online discussion assessment, students are encouraged to provide meaningful and supportive feedback to each other. Throughout the unit, students are also asked to think about how their practice and their relationships to the community may impact their students and families.

Ready to learn. Students will learn the foundational and advanced knowledge in language, learning and communication.  This knowledge forms a basis for future learning and understanding of the principles for effective instruction in language and communication. Students are encouraged to see this as a starting point, not an end point.

Research engaged. The importance of practice research-based instruction and making evidence-based decisions is embedded in all topics of the unit. In the main assessments, students will be given case scenarios and asked to provide appropriate assessments and instructions that are based on research.