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 preparation guidelines

• Allow a left and right-hand margin of at least 2cm in all assignments.
• All assignments should be types using a minimum of Arial, 12-point font and 1.5 spacing.
• Word limits (+/- 10%) should be adhered to.
• Faculty assignment cover sheets are NOT required.
• Assignments must comply with accessibility for blindness and low vision.
• 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.

 

Assessment submission guidelines

• The assignment title page should include the student’s name, student number, unit code, title of the assessment and correct submitted word count.
• All assignments must be submitted electronically through Turnitin as a 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. 
• For written assignments, the Turnitin Similarity Report must also be submitted using the correct Turnitin submission point at the time of assignment submission.

 

Application for Special Consideration – extensions

Applications for Special Consideration - extensions must be made via AskMQ (https://ask.mq.edu.au/).

 

Late submission of assessments

• 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.
• The Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
• 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 strictly applied. Work 10% above the word limit will not be marked. Work below the word count may attract a penalty.
• All assessments are marked using a clear marking scheme or 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 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 contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator Tanya Kysa on 0484913641 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

Required and recommended texts

Allman, C.B., Lewis, S. (2014). ECC essentials: Teaching the expanded core curriculum to students with visual impairments. New York, AFB Press.

Telec, F., Boyd, A. & King, J. (1997). Vision impairment: A reference for schools.

Sydney: NSW Department of School Education, Special Education Directorate. Note: Available for download from the iLearn site (with permission from the publisher)

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

Information about the iLearn site

SPED8922 has a full web presence through iLearn. All requirements for this unit begin Session 1 Week 1, 2024. Students are expected to access the iLearn site and engage with unit materials regularly during session 1.

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.

Structure

This unit includes weekly content and weekly one-hour online sessions on Tuesdays from 7-8pm (Syd time), commencing in week 3 (see Unit Schedule). The weekly content includes topic commentaries, PowerPoint presentations, recorded presentations by leaders in the field of VI education, prescribed readings and focus questions. The weekly content, and any issues and questions arising, will be discussed during the online tutorials. The tutorials will be recorded and uploaded to the iLearn site for revision.

Week beginning	Topics				Online sessions Tuesdays, 7-8pm Sydney time
19 Feb	1		Roles and responsibilities of specialist teachers (vision impairment) and other professionals		No online session
26 Feb	2		Introduction to educational adjustments for learners with blindness and low vision		No online session
4 March	3		Expanded Core Curriculum		5 March
11 March	4		Curriculum frameworks, pedagogy, and planning for individual students: General principles and approaches		12 March
18 March	5		Curriculum, assessment and reporting		19 March
25 March	6		Government and international legislation and policy frameworks supporting education of learners with blindness and low vision		26 March
1 April	7		Educational implications of blindness and low vision		2 April
8 April	8		Early childhood, family and social contexts		9 April
Monday 15 to Friday 26 April: Mid-Semester recess
29 April		9		Primary and secondary school years Assessment 1 due 29 April (by midnight)	30 April
6 May		10		Students with deafblindness and multiple disability	7 May
13 May		11		Psychological, social and cultural implications of blindness and low vision; critical social skills	14 May
20 May		12		Accessible technology and optical devices supporting education inclusion and visual functioning Assessment 2 due 20 May (by midnight)	No online session
27 May		13			No online session