Students

EDST8211 – Professional Practice 2: Teaching Human Society and its Environment in the Primary School

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

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit and Pex Convenor
Gavin Hazel
gavin.hazel@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
EDST8206
Corequisites Corequisites
EDST8204 and EDST8207
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This Professional Experience unit will help prepare initial teacher education students for classroom teaching. Effective practice in any subject area is culturally sensitive and inclusive. Students learn more effectively when their teachers know them and how they learn. This unit develops teacher education students' ability to critically review and apply pedagogical content knowledge relating to the Australian curriculum and related syllabus documents with the focus on research-informed teaching about people and places in the History and Geography syllabuses. It requires them to synthesise current research regarding quality classroom practice to analyse and evaluate how they will teach the key concepts and skills of History and Geography in K-6 classrooms, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia without perpetuating stereotypes and generalisations. This unit incorporates a professional experience placement in a primary school where initial teacher education students will implement their knowledge of learning and teaching in a primary school context.

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 research informed knowledge and understanding of the syllabus content and requirements of the NSW Syllabus: History and Geography.
  • ULO2: Implement teaching strategies informed by critical review of literature that develop students' knowledge of diverse cultures and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages, and Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia.
  • ULO3: Critically reflect on the conceptual difficulties of teaching students about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
  • ULO4: Integrate technology across History and Geography.
  • ULO5: Undertake a critical evaluation of key issues relating to the teaching for History and Geography in Primary years.
  • ULO6: Analyse and apply content and pedagogical knowledge to design effective learning experiences and meet curriculum and assessment requirements.
  • ULO7: Critique (or reflect on) one's professional practice and that of their peers.

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.

  •  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.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of Artificial Intelligence is not prohibited. The use of Large Language Models (LLMs) such as OpenAI's ChatGPT GPT-4 (paid), Perplexity.ai (free/paid), Microsoft Copilot in creative mode (free), or Claude 3 Opus (paid) when working on this assessment is permitted. These tools can complement your efforts on assessments and can assist with planning, research, and editing, but they must be used intentionally and with utmost care. Intentional and careful use of these tools may assist the quality of your final submission, but poor or reckless use of the tools can quite easily negatively impact the quality of your submission. You are fully responsible for any issues or errors arising from their use. If you are considering actively engaging with LLMs to assist in completing this assessment, then please read the following very carefully.   

Acknowledgement It is essential to acknowledge any tool used, both the model used and the way that you used it.

 

CRITICAL: Confabulations, hallucinations, and fictitious sources It is your responsibility to use Generative AI tools ethically and appropriately. Any fictitious sources contained in your submitted paper may result in referral to academic integrity, regardless of whether they originated from your own research, Generative AI, or a random webpage. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all work that you submit. Remember, LLMs always sound confident but are not always correct (and depending on how the LLM is used may be very wrong). Proper prompting is essential for improving the quality of the results (see below for resources on prompting).

A trap Do not treat LLMs as search engines. Even those with web search capabilities (e.g., perplexity.ai, ChatGPT GPT+ subscription, Microsoft Copilot) may not search effectively. Ensure that all factual information you want the models to work with is well-contained within your prompts.

 

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 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research project: Our connections with the past 50% No 23:55 02/09/2024
Learning from Country 50% No 23:55 01/10/2024
Professional Experience placement and evaluation report 0% Yes 23:55 01/11/2024

Research project: Our connections with the past

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: 23:55 02/09/2024
Weighting: 50%

 

Collect and analyse data, interpret and explain the notion of contestability and empathetic understanding, and demonstrate how this can be effectively embedded in the K-6 curriculum. The task response will be based in the body of research literature, with careful consideration of issues around teaching histories.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically reflect on the conceptual difficulties of teaching students about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
  • Undertake a critical evaluation of key issues relating to the teaching for History and Geography in Primary years.
  • Analyse and apply content and pedagogical knowledge to design effective learning experiences and meet curriculum and assessment requirements.

Learning from Country

Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 23:55 01/10/2024
Weighting: 50%

 

Draw on a range of texts to define the concepts of Country and Learning from Country for Stage 3 students. Design a Learning from Country task that would require students K-6 to collect, analyse and present data to their class. Explain how learning from Country helps to avoid some of the dilemmas of representation.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate research informed knowledge and understanding of the syllabus content and requirements of the NSW Syllabus: History and Geography.
  • Implement teaching strategies informed by critical review of literature that develop students' knowledge of diverse cultures and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages, and Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia.
  • Integrate technology across History and Geography.

Professional Experience placement and evaluation report

Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 23:55 01/11/2024
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Supervising teacher submits PEX evaluation report on teacher education student. While on placement, teacher education students must complete all required responsibilities and PEX paperwork

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate research informed knowledge and understanding of the syllabus content and requirements of the NSW Syllabus: History and Geography.
  • Implement teaching strategies informed by critical review of literature that develop students' knowledge of diverse cultures and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages, and Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia.
  • Critically reflect on the conceptual difficulties of teaching students about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
  • Integrate technology across History and Geography.
  • Undertake a critical evaluation of key issues relating to the teaching for History and Geography in Primary years.
  • Analyse and apply content and pedagogical knowledge to design effective learning experiences and meet curriculum and assessment requirements.
  • Critique (or reflect on) one's professional practice and that of their peers.

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 

Please refer to the unit iLearn site for prescribed readings.

 

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 students enrolled 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.  

Lectures are available on the web through the ECHO360 lecture component. You must listen to all lectures if you do not attend these ‘live’. 

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  

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)  

In the tutorial students will discuss issues and questions arising from the lectures and prescribed readings. They are expected to base their arguments/discussions on evidence from published research and other relevant material. There will be a supporting iLearn site for the unit providing additional readings, links and materials.  

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

 

Unit Schedule

The full unit schedule with weekly topics and readings will be provided on iLearn.

 

Please note: this is a unit with an embedded professional experience placement in schools.

The 3-week block placement will be: 14/10/2024 to 1/11/2024 inclusive.

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 Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) units 

Attendance at all synchronous activities, completion of non-synchronous formative/diagnostic class tasks and involvement in professional forums is compulsory as the Master of Teaching is a professional qualification. All students must meet the 80% attendance requirement.  

Activities completed during tutorials or on campus days 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. 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. 

 

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 EDST8240 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 EDST8240 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 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:

Resilience: Building confidence and competence in the planning and teaching of history and geography syllabus areas.  

Reflexive: Researching families histories and the interdependency of the generations.

Responsive: Acting upon self-reflection and others' feedback about PEx.

Ready to learn: Building pedagogic and curricula capabilities to support student learning.  

Research engaged: Researching Australia's colonial history and its impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Researching families histories and the interdependency of the generations. 

Unit information based on version 2024.06 of the Handbook