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)

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 assignment, 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.  

Information on the acceptable and permitted use of generative artificial intelligence tools (GAIT) is outlined in the instructions for each unit assignment task.

Assignment preparation guidelines

• Include a completed ePortfolio title cover page using the template provided on iLearn.
• Allow a left and right-hand margin of at least 2cm in all assignments.
• Type all assignments using a minimum of Arial, 12-point font and SINGLE line spacing.
• Students are recommended to regularly save a copy of all assignments before submission.
• The assignment title page should include the student’s name, student number, unit code, title of the assignment and correct submitted word count.
• All assignments must be submitted electronically through Turnitin as a Word document – do not submit as a pdf. Assignments submitted as pdfs will not be marked.

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.

Assignment submission guidelines

All assignments must be submitted electronically. Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assignments. It is the responsibility of all students to ensure that their submitted work is in a format compatible with Turnitin software for plagiarism checking. Submissions must meet the required file type and formatting specifications outlined in the assignment guidelines. Failure to submit work in an acceptable format may result in delays in processing your submission and potential penalties for non-compliance with assignment requirements. If you are unsure about the file format or have technical difficulties, it is your responsibility to seek assistance before the submission deadline.

Students should be careful to 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. It is not the responsibility of unit staff to contact students who have failed to submit assessments. If items of assessment are missing it is the student’s responsibility to contact the unit convenor. 

• For written assignments in SPED8910 a Turnitin Similarity Report should be reviewed but is NOT required to be submitted.

Special Consideration / Late Penalties

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. Students who may need an extension of time should contact the Unit Covenor via dialogues PRIOR to submitting the Special Considerations request.

Applications for extensions must be made via Service Connect.

Important to note:

• Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application.
• Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.

Assignment marking

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

University Policy on Grading

• Assignments will be awarded grades according to guidelines set out in the University's Grading System and University Assessment Policy. 
• SPED8910 is a pass/ fail unit. To attain an Ungraded Pass a student must demonstrate a 'Graduate' level for the Unit Learning Outcomes and teaching competencies on the marking rubric AND attain a 'Graduate' level for teaching competencies on the Practicum Assessment Tool (PAT) AND contribute to online blog reflection posts in a timely manner.

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by the Unit Convenor, are not confirmed because they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to student email addresses and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit Service Connect.

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  Service Connect 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.

Information about the iLearn site

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn. The iLearn site opens 2 weeks before the start of the Session to view and complete all mandatory check requirements.  All academic requirements for this unit begin Session 1 Week 1, 2026. All resources for this unit, inclusive of ePortfolio templates and submission dates (see 'Important Dates' tab ) are available on iLearn. Students are expected to access the iLearn site and engage with unit materials regularly during session 1. Students are responsible for the organisation and completion of Professional Experience placements to ensure the First Placement is completed mid session and the Final Placement is completed by week 13 of the session at the latest. .

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.

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/technology/systems/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 onehelp@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.

Unit Schedule

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, professional 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 Sunday of week 4)
• Completion of 8 days Professional Experience and submission of Assessment Task 1A - ePortfolio (First Placement) and Assessment Task 1B- Mid Session 500 word reflection blog.
•  Completion of 8 days Professional Experience and submission of Assessment Task 2A - ePortfolio (Final Placement) 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 12.

Note: ePorfolios (first and last placements) should be uploaded no later that 14 days after the completion of placement.

For first placement ePortfolio ensure submission 10 working days have been allowed for marking before final placement start date. 

For final placement ePortfolio ensure submission no later than end of week 13.

Unit Calendar

See iLearn tab 'Unit /information and Important Dates' for specifc details.

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: