Students

EDST4040 – Practice of Teaching: Transition to the Primary Teaching Profession

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Poulomee Datta
poulomee.datta@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via email
Tutor
Katie Wright
katie.wright@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via email
Tutor
Meena Viswanathan
meena.viswanathan@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
EDST3000 and (EDST4030 or EDST4050) and (EDST4100 or EDST4110) and EDST4130
Corequisites Corequisites
EDST4200 and (EDST4150 or EDST4160)
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This capstone unit synthesizes students' knowledge, skills and experiences as they make their transition to the teaching profession. In this professional experience, students demonstrate their ability to manage positive learning environments, handle the day-to-day responsibilities in the classroom and manage other demands of the profession. Students shall demonstrate the skills expected of a Graduate Teacher according to AITSL graduate teacher standards as they work in a school under the guidance of a Supervising Teacher. This unit gives students the opportunity to consolidate what they have learned, including understanding how research informs their practice. As reflexive practitioners students will assess their professional strengths and skills in the context of their future career path.

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: Identify and explain the Graduate Teacher Standards, evidenced in a portfolio collection.
  • ULO2: Synthesise data (including knowledge of all students), discipline content and pedagogy to plan, assess and report on student learning.
  • ULO3: Implement strategies that support productive learning environments in diverse contexts.
  • ULO4: Collaborate ethically with colleagues and other professionals.
  • ULO5: Identify strategies for building professional resilience in the workplace.
  • ULO6: Apply 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 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 (PEx) 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.  

Descriptive Criteria for awarding grades in the unit 

To meet the unit outcomes and successfully pass this unit, students should attempt all assessment tasks.  

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 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 https://ask.mq.edu.au 

In accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy a student must take responsibility, be proactive, take ownership and hold oneself responsible for ensuring all information and content, including citations and references in their assessment, have been generated and communicated in an ethical, honest and responsible manner. Failure to show responsibility by checking the accuracy and integrity of your own content, citations and references, or the submission of falsified content, is a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.  

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
MQ Teaching Performance Assessment 100% Yes Viva Voce week of 30/09/2024 & MQTPA 10/10/2024 at 23:55
PE Evaluation Report 0% Yes At conclusion of PE block by 20/09/2024

MQ Teaching Performance Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Viva Voce week of 30/09/2024 & MQTPA 10/10/2024 at 23:55
Weighting: 100%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

pass/fail completed on placement (no word limit) Teaching Performance Assessment (NSEA requirement), Includes: Choosing 5 focus students and planning, teaching, and assessing through a process of reflexive practice.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the Graduate Teacher Standards, evidenced in a portfolio collection.
  • Synthesise data (including knowledge of all students), discipline content and pedagogy to plan, assess and report on student learning.
  • Implement strategies that support productive learning environments in diverse contexts.
  • Collaborate ethically with colleagues and other professionals.
  • Identify strategies for building professional resilience in the workplace.
  • Apply reflexive processes to planned actions to improve teaching practice.

PE Evaluation Report

Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: At conclusion of PE block by 20/09/2024
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Professional Experience (includes completing assessment - MQTPA) Report completed by the Supervising Teacher on placements (no word limit) meets the Graduate Teacher Standards. This task is a hurdle and implementation of the 'requiring further support' (at risk) procedure will take the place of a 2nd attempt.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the Graduate Teacher Standards, evidenced in a portfolio collection.
  • Synthesise data (including knowledge of all students), discipline content and pedagogy to plan, assess and report on student learning.
  • Implement strategies that support productive learning environments in diverse contexts.
  • Collaborate ethically with colleagues and other professionals.
  • Identify strategies for building professional resilience in the workplace.
  • Apply 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

Please Note: There are no set readings for this unit, however other text books or articles you have engaged with throughout your course work may inform the development of your MQ Teaching Performance Assessment. For your information: A very good resource text is: Teaching Making a Difference (5th Edition) by Churchill et al published by Wiley. This text is a useful resource for the development of the MQTPA response.

This unit has a full web presence through the unit iLearn and the EDSTCOMMs iLearn site. 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 about the MQTPA will be posted here, as will other relevant unit notices and materials. Various activities and materials for discussion and critical reflection are included and students in INFQ mode are especially encouraged to use this web component. Electronic links and suggested references will be included in the Resources section. Please check the iLearn unit regularly.

Pre-recorded lectures and podcasts about the MQTPA requirements are available on the web through the EDSTCOMMs iLearn site.

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  

Log a request: help.mq.edu.au. 

On Campus: Ground floor at 18 Wally’s Walk 

Structure 

The unit structure can be found in the university timetable Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au) 

Face-to-Face (Frequent) Day students:

  • Please note that there are weekly tutorials (Monday & Tuesday) from week 1 (22/7/24) to week 4 (12/8/24) and again on 23/9/24 and on 14/10/24
  • Select/enrol in ONE (only) 'Practical' online session for the Viva Voce presentation commencing on the week of 30/09/24. A Zoom link will be provided via iLearn closer to the date.

Face-to-Face Infrequent students:

  • *Please note that there are two Tutorials (on-campus days):
    • Saturday (10/8/24) from 9am - 4:00pm 
    • Saturday  (28/9/24) from 9am - 4:00pm  (Please confirm rooms via timetable). 
  • Select/enrol in ONE (only) 'Practical' online session for the Viva Voce presentation on 3/10/24. A Zoom link will be provided via iLearn closer to the date.

Professional Experience Placement: 

  • 30-day placement: 5 week block (19/08/24 - 20/09/24) + 5 single days prior to block

Unit Schedule

Please refer to the iLearn site.

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 connect.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.

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.Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au) 

Activities completed during weekly tutorials (DAY or ONLINE DAY mode) or on campus days (INFQ mode) 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 of the on-campus sessions can be found in the university timetable. Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au) 

  • The on-campus sessions are essential to student engagement and learning and attendance is expected. Failure to attend or to have an approved Special Consideration may result in a Fail grade for the unit.  

  • 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. 

Fail Rule  

This unit is a part of a professional course listed on Schedules 2 and 3 of the Academic Progression Policy. This course has additional requirements that are applicable for the full duration of the course, including course-specific inherent requirements, Fitness to Practice requirements and other compulsory course requirements. It also has rigorous academic progression standards. Inability to meet these requirements may result in a withdrawal of offer of admission and/or permanent exclusion from the course in accordance with the General Coursework Rules. 

LANTITE 

In order to enrol in your EDST4040 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 EDST4040 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 and in this case the MQ Teaching Performance Assessment (MQTPA).

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 as being in need of additional support for Professional Practice and/or Bookwork, the School of Education’s ‘Additional Support’ procedure will be activated. 

  • 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 

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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

5Rs Framework

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, through professional experience school placement, Viva Voce presentation and MQ Teaching Performance Assessment (MQTPA), the 5Rs: Responsive, Resilience, Reflexive, Research engaged and Ready to learn will be apparent through:

  • Planning
  • Teaching
  • Assessing (and reporting)
  • Reflecting

The Macquarie University Teaching Performance Assessment (MQTPA) task is designed to ensure that Teacher Education Students (TES) graduating from the Macquarie School of Education at Macquarie University can meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) at the Graduate level. TES will complete the MQTPA in the final Professional Experience unit for their course. To ensure the MSoE is preparing the TES for evidence-based quality teaching cycles, the MQTPA is informed by reflexive practice. TES will complete the MQTPA through the collection of various forms of evidence as detailed throughout this document. TES also need to refer to the Professional Experience Requirements for their final Professional Experience unit, as this document will support the evidence collected and annotated whilst on placement. The TES will be assessed using a three-point Likert scale scoring rubric for each section 1 - 4 below. Teacher Education Students will achieve: Not Met / Met / Exceeds Expectations on the requirements of the specific skills/abilities/competencies in each of the four components:

1. Planning

2. Teaching

3. Assessing

4. Reflexivity and in an overall holistic assessment.

Experienced university assessors are trained in assessing the MQTPA. The assessors consist of academics who teach in PE units in the Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary courses. The unit convenors (n=3) of the final PE unit in all courses conduct overall moderation, which includes analysing a range of TPAs to check for consistency.

Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook