Academic honesty

• At all times, students should be aware of and apply the Macquarie University policy on academic honesty (https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=3)
• Information on the acceptable and permitted use of generative artificial intelligence tools (GAIT) is outlined in the instructions for each unit assessment task

Assessment Presentation Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines when you submit each assignment:

• The assignment title page should include the student’s name, student number, unit code, title of the assessment.
• Allow a left and right-hand margin of at least 2cm in all assignments.
• Please type all assignments using a minimum of Arial, 12-point font and SINGLE spacing.
• Faculty assignment cover sheets are NOT required.
• Students should regularly save a copy of all assignments before submission.
• Students must use the Turnitin Similarity Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing and, in consideration of the report outcome, attend to any potential academic integrity issues, prior to submission of the final version of the assignment.
• Students are strongly encouraged to upload a draft copy of each assignment to Turnitin at least one week prior to the due date to obtain a Turnitin Similarity Report. The Turnitin Similarity Report provides students with a similarity index that may indicate if plagiarism has occurred. Students will be able to make amendments to their drafts prior to their final submission on the due date.
• For written assignments in SPED8910 a Turnitin Similarity Report should be reviewed but is NOT required to be submitted.

Assessment submission guidelines

• All assignments must be submitted through Turnitin as an accessible word document – do not submit as a pdf.
• It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all assignments are successfully submitted through Turnitin - 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. 

Application for Special Consideration – extensions

• Applications for Special Consideration - 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. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the unit convenor when assessments are missed.

Assessment marking

• Word limits are not applied to SPED8910 assignments.
• All assessments are marked using a rubric.
• Marking of all assessments is moderated by the Unit Convenor.
• Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assessments.

University policy on grading

Criteria for awarding grades for assessment tasks

Assignments will be awarded a grade according to guidelines set out in the University's Grading Policy. SPED8910 is a pass/ fail unit. Students who demonstrate a 'Graduate' level of competency in their Professional Experience and on the Practicum Assessment Tool (PAT) will be awarded an Ungraded Pass.

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.The following generic grade descriptors provide university-wide standards for awarding final grades. 

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 contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator Tanya Kysa on 0484 913 641 or student.enquiries@nextsense.org.au, prior to withdrawing, for advice related to your progression. You can also seek academic advice via https://ask.mq.edu.au before withdrawing as this unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following sessions and may impact on your progression through the degree.

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by the Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to the student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

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
• Please make effective use of the online component of the unit and access iLearn regularly. Keep up to date with checking Announcements on at least a 2x weekly basis especially when on placement.

Information about the iLearn site

SPED8910 has a full web presence through iLearn. All requirements for this unit begin Session 1 Week 1, 2024, but the iLearn site can be accessed 2 weeks before the start of the session to complete Mandatory Check requirements. All resources for this unit, inclusive of ePortfolio templates are available on iLearn. Students are expected to access the iLearn site and engage with unit materials regularly during the Session. Students are responsible for the organisation and completion of Professional Experience placements to ensure block 1 and block 2 are completed and the final ePortfolio submitted for marking by week 13 of the session.

Support resources

Macquarie University has a range of services for students. If you are struggling with any aspect of academic life or career trajectory and skills, please refer to the comprehensive list of support services here.

Access and technical assistance

Information for students about access to the online component of this unit is available at https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/tools-and-resources/ilearn. 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: 02 98504357 and 1800 67 4357 or log a request at help.mq.edu.au. OneHelp is the online IT support service for both students and staff.

This unit requires students to use several ICT and software skills:

• Internet access: The iLearn site contains materials for this unit; it is also required for the online submission of all assessment tasks, and for the use of Turnitin submission for ALL tasks. 
• Word processing, visual representations, and document formatting: You are required to use an appropriate form of software to present your assignments.
• Uploading of assessment tasks to iLearn.

The unit is divided into a series of topics; the materials are open for the entirety of the session:

• Completion of Activity 1- Critical Reflection Tool (prior to starting Professional Experience- end of week 1)
• Completion of Activity 2- Focus Area planning, setting of individual SMART learning goals and outline of literature review (prior to starting Professional Experience- end of week 1)
• Completion of Activity 3- Understanding Reflection SCORM package (by Monday of week 4)
• Completion of 8 days Professional Experience and submission of Assessment Task 1A - ePortfolio (Block 1) and Assessment Task 1B- Mid Session 500 word reflection blog.
•  Completion of 8 days Professional Experience and submission of Assessment Task 2A - ePortfolio (Block 2) and Assessment Task 2B- End of Session 500 word reflection blog.

Note: reflection blogs (mid-session and end of session) should be posted no later than 7 days after completion of placement to enable sufficient time for students to comment on each other’s blogs. Any student completing their final placement in week 13 of the session is required to comment on 2 blogs before the end of week 13.

5 Rs Framework

The 5Rs Framework, developed by the School of Education at Macquarie University, is embedded throughout this unit. Your use of the 5Rs Framework will help you develop the capabilities that will make your career sustainable and fulfilling. In this unit, you will learn using the 5Rs framework in the following important ways: