Detailed information for each individual assessment can be found on the iLearn site under Assessment.

Assessment Submission

In ECHP324 Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3a must be submitted through TURNITIN. These will be marked online, with submission of work through the online system TURNITIN only (ie no paper submission or work for these assessments will be accepted).

Links to TURNITIN are available through the unit’s iLearn site and will be open 1 week before the assignment is due.  After the due date these links will close (late assignments will need to be submitted via the unit coordinator) so that the work can be marked. Assignment feedback will then be given through this site.

Notes about TURNITIN:

When writing assessments it is essential that students acknowledge the source of information correctly and do not breach plagiarism. TURNITIN is an electronic resource which detects material that has been copied from another source. Information about the importance of referencing and how to reference correctly can be found in the IEC referencing guide on the iLearn site.

Submit your assignment as a word or PDF file. Please do not include the assignment questions or a cover sheet. Including these parts will give a false report, as the technology uses comparison to check for plagiarism.

If there are concerns about plagiarism, you will be contacted by the unit coordinator via your student email. If you are unsure about what plagiarism is, please visit the link to the University’s Academic Honesty policy listed in your Unit Outline or seek assistance through the Macquarie University Study Skills Department.

Further assistance with submitting assignments to TURNITIN can be found at http://www.turnitin.com/static/community/index.php

Please note that TURNITIN reports on originality will NOT be provided in this unit.

When preparing your assignments, it is essential that you note the following:

• All written assessments are to be submitted with a 3cm right hand margin and double spacing to allow for comments (unless stated otherwise).
• All assessments must meet standards of literacy and presentation appropriate for study at a university level. IEC referencing procedures must be followed. Please refer to the IEC Referencing Guidelines which can be found on the home page of iLearn for this unit.
• Assignment marks will be deducted if you submit your assignment late (refer to the ‘late assignments’ section below for more details).
• Unless there are exceptional circumstances, no assignment will be accepted after the date that the assignment has been returned to other students. 
• All failing assignments will be moderated by a second marker when the failure is due to unsatisfactory content.  Failures that are the result of deductions for lateness or loss of marks for referencing, presentation, or plagiarism may not be moderated.

Submission of Assignments:

Assignments must be submitted by 5pm on the due date.  The same due date applies to students enrolled both internally and externally in the unit.

Late Assignments:

A deduction of 5% of the total possible mark allocated for that assignment will be made for each day or part day that assignment is late, weekends counting as two days. For example, if an assignment is worth 20 marks and you submit it 2 days late, you will have 2 marks (2 x 5% of 20 marks) subtracted from your awarded mark.

Extensions:

In extenuating circumstances, students may apply for an extension to the assignment due date. Reasons for the extension need to be documented through the Disruption to Study Policy (see hyperlink located in section titled Policies and Procedures of this unit outline).  Supporting documentation will be required.

Note that:

• Students MUST speak with the unit coordinator prior to submitting requests through Ask.MQ.
• Extensions will only be granted to students via Ask.MQ
• It is essential that you plan ahead and organise your study time effectively. Poor time management is not grounds for an extension
• In the case of computer malfunctions, a draft of your assignment may be requested. Please ensure that you print out a draft regularly so that it is available for submission on request.   
• Extensions are not usually granted on the due date.

Grades

Grades

Grades will be awarded at the completion of the unit according to the following criteria.

HD           High Distinction  85-100% 

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  75-84%

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  65-74%

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  50-64%

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  0-49%

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.

Students in this unit should read this unit outline carefully at the start of semester.  It contains important information about the unit.  If anything in it is unclear, please consult the Unit Coordinator.

This unit aims to build on previous experiences and extend on teaching skills by providing students with further experiences in K-6 classrooms. ECHP 324 aims to assist students in extending their understanding of approaches to curriculum planning and the documentation of children's learning in the school environment. The unit focuses on essential skills for curriculum decision-making and enables students to develop their knowledge of anti bias issues within the classroom setting.

Classes

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2014/

• 1 hour lectures will be held Thursday mornings from 9am –10am in E7B T2. 
• 2 hour tutorials will be held weekly for internal students. Tutorials are timetabled for Thursdays10-2pm and 12pm-2pm; Fridays 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.
• Those students enrolled in the Thursday tutorials which follow the lecture are expected to attend the lecture, this is when the roll will be taken. It is expected that students attending the other tutorials will either attend the lecture or listen on line prior to coming to class. For external students it is expected that students listen weekly online.
• Students are not able to swap between tutorials throughout the semester. Tutorial groups are established in the first two weeks of semester and students must remain in this tutorial until the end of semester.
• External students are to attend on campus day, Saturday 20^th September from 9.00am – 4.30pm.
• In order to be eligible for a passing grade, students must meet the following attendance requirements:
  • Internal students must attend at least 80% of all tutorials
  • External students must attend all of the compulsory on-campus session on Saturday 20^th September.

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Unit expectations

In this unit students are required to:

• come to tutorials prepared having read the weekly readings and listened to the lecture (internal students)
• complete weekly tasks available on line. Come to on campus prepared; having read the weekly readings and listened to the lectures (external students)
  • read  widely and give thoughtful consideration to the ideas encountered
  • participate fully in tutorials discussions and activities
  • submit all assessments
  • undertake 20 days of Professional Experience (5 observation days and 15 teaching days) and fulfil all Professional Experience requirements
  • submit the Professional Experience Evaluation form on completion of placement.

Professional Experience

Students will be expected to complete three weeks of Professional Experience from Monday 20^th October – Friday 7^th November 2014. Prior to this, students are expected to negotiate with the cooperating teacher to complete five (5) observation days. Attendance is compulsory. Students will be assessed as satisfactory or unsatisfactory against the Professional Experience Evaluation form. 

Support for External Students

External students are strongly advised to make use of the support services available. These include:    

• Students are able to download the lecture from the iLearn website (via Echo). Students need to set aside time weekly to work through the tasks on iLearn and listen to the lecture. It is important to also read as widely as possible.
• Weekly tasks: External students will be expected to access and complete tutorial tasks listed under Learning Modules via the iLearn website.
• Compulsory on-campus session: The compulsory on-campus session is scheduled for Saturday 20^th September from 9.00am – 4.30pm. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the unit content and weekly tasks provided on iLearn. Students will also have the opportunity to discuss issues associated with Professional Experience

Points for clarification with the unit outline

• Assessment 1 is a low risk diagnostic assessment as required by the University and therefore needs to be completed in the first four weeks of semester. Any student receiving a failing grade will be urged to make an appointment with the Unit Coordinator to ensure support and discuss progress.

• Assessment 3 is attached to Professional Experience. Submission is not possible until the placement is completed.