Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Helen Little
Contact via via iLearn Dialogue
29 Wally's Walk (X5B), Room 235
By appointment
Tutor
Catherine Jones
Contact via via iLearn Dialogue
By appointment
Co-convenor and PE Co-ordinator
Catherine Patterson
Contact via via iLearn dialogue
By appointment
Owain Matthews
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ECHP222 and ECHE220
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit incorporates both theoretical and practical aspects of teaching and working in early childhood contexts. Students in this unit will explore and examine theories of learning and develop a critical understanding for (i) observing, recording and planning for diverse learners, (ii) provisioning the outdoors as a learning space for young children, and (iii) embedding sustainability practices in everyday teaching. Students will continue to develop their teaching skills and complete 20 days of Professional Experience in an early childhood setting.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Full details about each assignment task is provided on iLearn.
Assessment Presentation & Submission Guidelines
Please follow these guidelines when you submit each assignment:
Draft Submissions & Turnitin Originality Reports
When preparing your assignments, it is essential that:
Final Submissions
Special Consideration
The following link takes you to the Special Consideration policy, which makes clear the ways in which you can apply for special consideration in times of difficulty.
Extensions:
Applications for extensions must be made via AskMQ at https://ask.mq.edu.au as a "Special Consideration" request before the submission date. Students who experience a disruption to their studies through ill-health or misadventure are able to apply for this request. Extensions can only be granted if they meet the Disruption to Studies policy and are submitted via ask.mq.edu.au. This will ensure consistency in the consideration of such requests is maintained.
In general, there should be no need for extensions except through illness or misadventure that would be categorised as unavoidable disruption according to the University definition of same, and currently available at:
*Late Assessments:
Late submissions without extension will receive a penalty of 5% reduction of the total possible mark for each day late (including weekends and public holidays). You are reminded that submitting even just 1 day late could be the difference between passing and failing a unit. Late penalties are applied by unit convenors or their delegates after tasks are assessed.
No assessable work will be accepted after the return/release of marked work on the same topic. If a student is still permitted to submit on the basis of unavoidable disruption, an alternative topic may be set.
Students should keep an electronic file of all assessments. Claims regarding "lost" assessments cannot be made if the file cannot be produced. It is also advisable to keep an electronic file of all drafts and the final submission on a USB untouched/unopened after submission. This can be used to demonstrate easily that the assessment has not been amended after the submission date.
Appealing an assignment grade (requesting a re-mark)
If you have evidence that your task has been incorrectly assessed against the grade descriptors you can request a remark. To request a re-mark, you need to contact the unit convenor within 7 days of the date of return of the assignment and provide a detailed assessment your script against the task criteria. Evidence from your assignment must be provided to support your judgements.
Please note: The outcome of a remark may be a higher/lower or unchanged grade. Grades are standards referenced and effort is NOT a criterion
Submission of Family & Children’s Records
Family and Children’s Records
Some assessment tasks require students to submit records about families and about children and their learning. It is expected that the records submitted are original, authentic, adheres to the ethical practices of the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics (2016) and is the work of the student. Issues with the authenticity of such records will be investigated for possible forgery (see Fabrication in the IEC Academic Honesty Handbook). Please note that submitted records can only be used once for assessment purposes.
Confidentiality
Students must respect the need for sensitivity and confidentially and ensure that privacy obligations are met. There should be nothing in assessment submissions that identifies a centre or school. Use only the first name for children, families and staff. Do not record details that enable identification of the site, and of the adults or children.
Photography Permission
In this unit, students may take photographs to support the observation, planning, evaluation and reflection records that are developed during the Professional Experience. Students are expected to adhere to the Professional Experience placement site’s policies and seek permission from families in order to take photographs. Please use the permission form provided on iLearn.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Planning for Diversity. | 40% | No | 12/09/2018 (Week 7) |
Professional Experience | 0% | Yes | Weeks 10 - 12 |
Philosophy in Practice | 60% | No | 11/11/2018 (end of Week 13) |
Due: 12/09/2018 (Week 7)
Weighting: 40%
Situational Analysis - focus on aspects of diversity and difference that will form the basis for teaching decisions.
Due: Weeks 10 - 12
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Undertake 20 days of professional experience.
Due: 11/11/2018 (end of Week 13)
Weighting: 60%
Present evidence of philosophical approach to teaching with a focus on diversity, the outdoor learning environment and transition to school.
The information in this Unit Guide must be read in conjunction with the Assessment Details and Weekly Readings documents available for download from iLearn.
Texts and Readings for this Unit
Compulsory texts for this unit which you should already have.
Little, H., Elliott, S., & Wyver, S. (2107). Outdoor learning environments: Spaces for exploration, discovery and risk-taking in the early years. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
Porter, L. (2016). Young children's behaviour. Guidance approaches for early childhood educators (4th Ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority. (2017). Guide to the National Quality Standard. Retrieved from http://files.acecqa.gov.au/files/NQF/Guide-to-the-NQF-3-Guide-to-the-NQS-Part-A.pdf
Australian Government Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations. (2009). Belonging, being & becoming: The early years learning framework for Australia. Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved from http://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/belonging_being_and_becoming_the_early_years_learning_framework_for_australia.pdf
Other Relevant Documents
The information in this Unit Guide must be read in conjunction with the following documents available for download from iLearn:
EC Professional Experience Unit Placement Expectations
For this Unit, students must also be aware of the following specific requirements: - Students must meet the mandatory requirements to undertake placements as specified in the Unit Guide. These may include both University requirements and mandatory requirements specified by the accrediting authority such as the Working with Children check.
- Macquarie University operates under a ‘Fit to Sit’ model as specified in the University's Special Consideration Policy. For this Unit, this means that, when undertaking a placement, a student is declaring that they are fit to do so. 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. - If a Student is identified by the Unit Convenor as being ‘At Risk’, the Department’s ‘At Risk’ procedure will be activated and they will not be able to withdraw themselves from this Unit.
- 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.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the policies listed in this/the Unit Guide with regard to Learning and Teaching.
Withdrawing from this UG Unit
If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice by writing to DES.ug@mq.edu.au before doing so as this unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following semesters and may impact on your progression through the degree.
Date |
Lecture Content |
Lecturer |
Week 1 31 July
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Introduction to unit
Overview of key themes - Outdoor Learning, Diversity and Difference, Transitions and Guiding Behaviour. |
Helen Little
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Week 2 7 August |
Planning for Diversity and Difference |
Jenni Burgess |
Week 3 14 August |
Outdoor learning environments: Making the most of what you've got | Helen Little |
Week 4 21 August |
The outdoors as a learning environment – beyond running and climbing |
Catherine Jones |
Week 5 28 August |
ATSI contexts – honouring land and learning from Indigenous ways. |
TBC |
Week 6 4 September |
The Forest schools as inspiration in the Australian context |
Rebecca Andrews (DET) |
Week 7 11 September |
The outdoors for infants and toddlers | Sandra Cheeseman |
17 – 28 September |
Recess |
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Week 8 2 October |
Documenting learning with a focus on record keeping for individuals and groups |
Sandra Cheeseman |
Week 9 9 October |
The Transition to School Statement |
Sandra Cheeseman |
Week 10 15 October |
Professional Experience |
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Week 11 22 October |
Professional Experience |
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Week 12 29 October |
Professional Experience |
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Week 13 6 November |
No lecture - tutorial only |
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Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
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 ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
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As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
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