Overview
In this unit, you will extend your thinking about viable sources of curriculum, and through reflection on the work of educators of Reggio Emilia, you will explore the notion of ‘teacher as researcher’, see yourselves as researchers and see children as active participants in the design, construction and enactment of the ‘curriculum’. You will examine the teacher’s role in pedagogical decisions with particular emphasis on mindfulness, reflective practice and intentional teaching, and as (co)creators of aesthetic learning environments that support connectedness, belonging, investigation, discovery, play and wellbeing. Pedagogies of relationships, place, play, possibility and provocation are examined in in-depth ways. You will examine guiding principles and research underpinning curriculum approaches as well as your own developing assumptions and philosophy of education to articulate what you believe should underpin curriculum inquiry in early childhood. You will inspect how early childhood pedagogy reflects the importance of childhood and contributes to the holistic wellbeing, learning and development of children. As part of this process, you consider what being, belonging and becoming can look like in practice for children and for the early childhood educator. You will scrutinise real-world challenges and dilemmas. You will demonstrate your ability to identify and think through complex issues, diverse interpretations and expectations of the teaching and learning process and respond to these in ways that deepen your intellectual, ethical and emotional engagement work. You will complete a 15 day placement in an early childhood service with children birth to 35 months.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite EDFE11038 Professional Practice 1 - Introduction to Teaching.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2019
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation
The content was well delivered and the moodle site was interesting and clear.
Maintain the standard of content delivery and update materials where required.
Feedback from Unit Evaluation, Email
The assessment tasks were relevant and provoked reflection and thinking.
The assessment tasks will continue to support critical reflection.
- Articulate a theorised approach to early childhood pedagogy that recognises the importance of play and builds on relationships with children and connectedness to their worlds
- Evaluate the influence of educators' personal assumptions and biases on understanding and interpreting the contexts and consequences of communities and children's socio-economic backgrounds
- Conduct an inquiry into pedagogies of place and play to identify the influence and significance of contexts on teachers' curriculum decision making
- Defend the role of the early childhood professional in making ethical decisions that respect children
- Critically reflect on prevailing notions of curriculum, curriculum frameworks and schooling to identify opportunities for exercising professional judgement in curriculum decision making and pedagogical practices that value children and childhood in and beyond early years settings.
- Complete a placement with young children birth to 35 months
- Plan and implement learning experiences that promote the engagement and participation of all learners and are responsive to their characteristics, stage of development and social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and also link to your observations of the child/children.
Successful completion of this unit provides opportunities for students to engage with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Career Stage) focus areas of:
1.2 Understand how students learn
2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
2.2 Content selection and organization
3.6 Evaluate and improve teaching programs
3.7 Engage parents/carers in the educative process
4.1 Support student participation
6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice
7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilities
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements
Guidelines for the registration of an early childhood qualification with the Australian Children Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) specify what the curriculum of an early childhood course must include. This unit contributes unit content related to early childhood pedagogies and education and curriculum studies.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 50% | |||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||
| 3 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 50% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Professional Practice Placement - 0% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment.
Edition: 3rd (2019)
Authors: Dorothy Justus Sluss
Cengage
Boston Boston , MA , USA
ISBN: ISBN 9781337568036
Binding: eBook
Inspiring Play Spaces
(2013)
Authors: Susie Rosback and Natalie Coulson
Teaching Solutions
Albert Park Albert Park , Australia
ISBN: 978-1-921613-73-9
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
The prescribed textbook, Supporting Play in Early Childhood, is available as an ebook through Cengage Publishing, Amazon or any other book depository. A paper back version can be ordered online or through the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au. (search on the Unit code) It has been written by an American academic and includes rich information on theorists, practical approaches to learning and child development. It is well worth having in your professional library.
The supplementary text, Inspiring Play Spaces, is a wonderful resource with practical ideas of how to set up learning environments that support play based learning and are explained through text and photos The text makes connections between activities in an early learning centre highlights links to the Early Years Learning Framework.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.murray2@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Valuing Childhood from birth to 8 years.
1A What is our image of children 0-3 years, 4-8 years and childhood?
1B What is pedagogy and curriculum for children 0-8 years?
Chapter
Textbook:
Justus Sluss, D. (2019). Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment. (3rd ed)Boston, MA, USA: Cengage
Suggested reading:
1. Childhood Care and education: A child perspective paradigm, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, Vol. 21, No. 4, p. 456-475.
2. Allen, S. & Whalley, M. (2010), Supporting Pedagogy and Practice in Early Years Settings. Exiter, UK: Learning Matters Ltd, Chapter 2.
3. Pound, L. (2011), Influencing Early Childhood Education: Key figures, philosophies and ideas, Berkshire, England, Open University Press.
4. Walsh, G., McMillan, D. & McGuinness. C. (eds). (2017). Playful teaching and learning. Melbourne: Sage. Chapter 2
It is expected that personal research is used to support your learning.
Events and Submissions/Topic
All references listed for each weekly module may assist you in your assignments.
Module/Topic
Creating Responsive and Respectful Environments for Young Children 0-8 years.
2A What is the importance of 'place' and nature learning?
2B How does the inside and outside learning environment influence the teacher's role?
Chapter
Textbook:
Justus Sluss, D. (2019). Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment. (3rd ed)
Boston, MA, USA: Cengage
Suggested Reading:
1. Berris, R. & Miller, E. (2011), How Design of the Physical Environment impacts of Early Learning: Educators' and parents' perspectives. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, Vol. 36.
2. Walker, K. (2012). Play Matters: Investigating learning for preschool to grade 2 (2nd ed.) Camberwell, Victoria: ACER Press, Chapter 5.
3. Bernard van Leer, (2008), Childhood Matters: Enhancing a sense of belonging in the early years, No. 111.
It is expected that personal research is used to support your learning.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Children's Playful Inquiry.
3A What is Play? Play, learning and brain science in the baby and toddler rooms and beyond.
3B Is play important for learning during all stages of development of children 0-8?
Chapter
Textbook:
Justus Sluss, D. (2019). Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment. (3rd ed)
Boston, MA, USA: Cengage
Suggested Reading:
1. Basler Wisneski, D. & Reifel, S. (2013), A Place of Play in Early Childhood Curriculum. In N. File, J. Mueller, & D. Basler Wisneski, (Eds.), Curriculum in early childhood education: Re-examined, rediscovered, renewed. (pp. 175-187). NY, NY: Routledge.
2. McMonagle, A. (2012), Professional Pedagogy Project: Supporting every child's right to early education, Ireland, Donegal County Childcare Committee (DCCC3 Publishing).
3. Lester, S. & Russell, W. (2010). Children's Right to Play: An examination of the importance of play in the lives of children worldwide. Retrieved from Bernard van Leer Foundation website:http://www.bernardvanleer.org/Childrens-right-to-play-An-examination.
It is expected that personal research is used to support your learning.Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Global perspectives of early childhood pedagogy and curriculum.
4A What is the importance of curriculum frameworks when teaching children birth to 8?
4B How can a global perspective guide our pedagogy and world view of play?
Chapter
Textbook:
Justus Sluss, D. (2019). Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment. (3rd ed)
Boston, MA, USA: Cengage
Suggested Reading:
1. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace (DEEWR, (2010), Educators Being, Belonging, Becoming: Educators' Guide to the Early Years Learning Framework.
2. Steiner Education, (2011). Australian Steiner Curriculum Framework, 2011, Kindergarten/Foundation Position Paper.
3. Forest School Canada, (2014). Forest and Nature School in Canada: A head, Hands Approach to Outdoor Learning.
It is expected that personal research is used to support your learning.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
This week is a non teaching week but we will be continuing with our studies during this week due to the intensive nature of the unit. This will be week 5 for us.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Complexities and challenges in early childhood.
5A What does holistic teaching mean from birth to primary school?
5B What does it mean to teach with deliberate intention in the babies room to the early primary classroom?
Chapter
Textbook:
Justus Sluss, D. (2019). Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment. (3rd ed)Boston, MA, USA: Cengage
Suggested Reading:
1. Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, (2014), Children's Right to Play, Culture and Arts.
2. Almon, J. & Miller, E. (2011). The Crisis in Early Childhood. Retrieved form the Alliance for Childhood website: http://www.allianceforchildren.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/files/crisis-in-early-ed.pdf
3. Sims. M. (2014). Is the Care-Education Dichotomy Behind Us? Should it Be? Australasia Journal of Early Childhood, Vol. 39, No. 4.
It is expected that personal research is used to support your learning.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Professional pedagogy in early childhood.
6A What is the future of early childhood?
6B How can we 'future proof' the pedagogy of play at all developmental stages?
Chapter
Textbook:
Justus Sluss, D. (2019). Supporting Play in Early Childhood: Environment, Curriculum, Assessment. (3rd ed)
Boston, MA, USA: Cengage
Suggested Reading:
1. Barnes, S. (2012). Making Sense of Intentional Teaching: Children's Services Central. retrieved from: http://www.cscentral.org.au/Resources/intentional-teaching-web.pdf.
2. Leggett, N. & Ford, M. (2013). A Fine Balance:Understanding the roles of educators and children's play as intentional teachers and intentional learners within the Early Years Learning Framework. Australasia Journal of Early Childhood, Vol. 38, No. 4.
3. Community Child Care Victoria, (2011). Collaborating with Children for Effective Programming: Self-guided learning package.
It is expected that personal research is used to support your learning.
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1 Portfolio
In this task you are required to use the research methodology of visual ethnography. This requires you to study a learning environment (play space) that is man made, a natural environment or a combination of the two. You will need to identify a Research Question that will direct an inquiry into the use of the learning environment that you have chosen.
Documentation will be collected (for example: photos/images; drawings and sketches; journal entries; film clips; collections of materials or objects or artifacts or signs/symbols at sites; mapping of pathways in spaces) during field-work. The documentation will be analysed to identify possible patterns, themes, paradoxes and issues in relation to the Research Question you have explored. For example, you may choose to focus on a favourite place children like to play; well used places and spaces; poorly used places and spaces; child-friendly space/s; community space/s; beautiful spaces and so on.
The assignment will be presented as a photo essay, a collage of multiple data, poster display or a mix of images and narrative text.
This visual display will be accompanied by a 1000-1500 word statement that describes the context of the issue studied; a clear research question/issue explored; the methods used to collect data; interpretations and implications of the data for curriculum and pedagogy in relation to place/play and the way in which possible biases and assumptions and personal experiences influenced the research and your interpretations of the data.
The terminology and the assignment concepts will be explored during the weekly tutorials of the unit.
Weight 50%
NOTE: This assessment task builds professional knowledge and understanding of pedagogical practice in early years contexts and develops critical reflection on the role of ongoing professional learning in enacting professional roles in diverse early learning settings.. The task can be used as evidence for demonstrating aspects of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers focus areas 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 and 6.2.
Vacation Week Friday (13 Dec 2019) 11:00 pm AEST
This assessment task is due at the end of the non teaching week which will be Week 5 for this intensive unit.
Week 6 Monday (23 Dec 2019)
Feedback on this assessment response will be provided in sufficient time to allow for academic support and advice as necessary to inform students' responses to the next assessment task.
Knowledge and understanding of early childhood pedagogies and the importance of play in young children’s learning
Application of an inquiry learning framework guided by a clear research question
Documentation of children’s learning and pedagogical processes
Critical reflection on implications for teaching, professional roles and sources of professional learning for teachers
- Evaluate the influence of educators' personal assumptions and biases on understanding and interpreting the contexts and consequences of communities and children's socio-economic backgrounds
- Conduct an inquiry into pedagogies of place and play to identify the influence and significance of contexts on teachers' curriculum decision making
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
Using a case study or media vignette (suggestions will be provided during tutorials), you are required to identify the tensions and dilemmas within the case study or vignette and the principle or belief that is at the centre of the tension (e.g I want to focus on relationships not rules). You are required to identify the issue, relate it to the principles and outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009), your preferred pedagogies (teaching practices) that you would use in your own classroom, other guides such as the Rights of the Child and your own teaching philosophy to describe methods that you would use to address the issue/dilemma. You must include research to support your statements. Your management of the complex issue or dilemma in your future classroom must be clearly stated and explained with reference to relationship building between you (as the teacher), children, families, colleagues to relieve and overcome the issue/dilemma.
The identification of the issue and the rationale for the possible and realistic solutions should be 1500 words and include headings that indicate the logical structure of your work. If required, the use of tables, diagrams, dot points is acceptable in your presentation of the task.
Weight: 50%
National standards demonstrated: 1.2, 3.6, 3.7, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2
NOTE: This assessment task extends understanding of research-informed practice in early childhood settings. The task includes a focus on evaluation of teaching programs and strategies for engaging with parents/carers and colleagues to improve teaching practice. The task can be used as evidence for demonstrating aspects of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers focus areas 1.2, 3.6, 3.7, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2.Week 6 Tuesday (24 Dec 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
This written task is to be submitted through moodle.
Week 9 Monday (20 Jan 2020)
Feedback on the final assessment task will be provided following moderation and prior to the date of certification of grades for the term.
Knowledge and understanding of interconnections between home, care and school settings
Development of a theorised approach to early childhood pedagogies
Critical reflection on the role of early childhood professionals in supporting learning for children from diverse backgrounds through collegial partnerships
Use of authoritative sources to back claims and provide justification for strategies- Articulate a theorised approach to early childhood pedagogy that recognises the importance of play and builds on relationships with children and connectedness to their worlds
- Evaluate the influence of educators' personal assumptions and biases on understanding and interpreting the contexts and consequences of communities and children's socio-economic backgrounds
- Conduct an inquiry into pedagogies of place and play to identify the influence and significance of contexts on teachers' curriculum decision making
- Defend the role of the early childhood professional in making ethical decisions that respect children
- Critically reflect on prevailing notions of curriculum, curriculum frameworks and schooling to identify opportunities for exercising professional judgement in curriculum decision making and pedagogical practices that value children and childhood in and beyond early years settings.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Professional Practice Placement
You are required to complete a Professional Placement in an Early Childhood Education and Care Service within your local community. The placement will be with young children aged birth to 35 months. This placement is to be completed during Term 3 on the university calendar. You are required to complete 15 days at the service and complete the tasks outlined in the Placement Booklet. This third assessment task will be graded as pass or fail only. Please refer to the Placement Booklet (found on the unit Moodle site under the assignment 3 tab) for clarification of tasks to complete whilst in the Early Childhood Education and Care Service.
Exam Week Monday (17 Feb 2020) 11:00 pm AEST
The completed task booklet is to be scanned and submitted through the unit's moodle site under the Assignment 3 tab.
Observe and document the learning of children birth to 35 months
Plan for and implement experiences for children birth to 35 months drawing on observations of the children and their development
Reflect on your work with young children and what you are learning as you work with children birth to 35 months
Observe how others work with children birth to 35 months
Adhere to relevant centre policies and procedures and seek clarification when required during implementation of your work role.
- Complete a placement with young children birth to 35 months
- Plan and implement learning experiences that promote the engagement and participation of all learners and are responsive to their characteristics, stage of development and social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and also link to your observations of the child/children.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
