EDUC2301Australian Early Childhood and Primary Education

Course handbook

Description

Students will have the opportunity to explore, experience, and review Early Childhood and Primary Education as it occurs in Early Childhood centres catering for 0-5 year olds, and K-6 Primary schools. The course provides an experiential basis for reflecting upon the application of contemporary educational theories, and an opportunity for comparative analysis of curricular and pedagogical practices, examining Australian Early Childhood and Primary Education in comparison to that experienced in the pre-service teacher’s home culture and country. Students will complete 10 days of observation in an Early Childhood site, and 10 days of observation in a K-6 setting.

Availability

Not currently offered.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary early childhood curriculum policies (including the Early Years Learning Framework) and primary curriculum policies (including the Australian K-6 Curriculum);

2. Compare and contrast Australian curriculum policies against the student's home country's curriculum policies for Early Childhood and Primary education;

3. Identify the implementation of contemporary early childhood and primary education theories during their experience of an Early Childhood site, and a Primary classroom setting;

4. Critically evaluate the learning experiences of young children;

5. Design their own ideal learner-centred teaching space;

6. Critically reflect on their own teaching philosophy.

Content

This course introduces students to:

1. Comparative analysis of the pedagogical approaches embedded in early childhood curriculum policies from their home country, and Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework;
2. Comparative analysis of the pedagogical ideologies embedded in Primary school curriculum policies from their home country, and the NSW syllabi for the Australian Curriculum;
3. Standards for professional and ethical practice in early childhood sites and primary school classrooms;
4. Pedagogical approaches suitable for guiding and teaching children, from diverse backgrounds, aged 0-12 years including Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children;
5. Methodologies for critical reflection on classroom practices. 

Review of Progress

This course is a compulsory program requirement and is monitored for academic progress purposes. The course must be completed to progress in the program or meet other program requirements.

Failure or withdrawal from this course will result in students being considered under the Student Academic Progress Procedure.

Requisite

To enrol in this course students must have successfully completed EDUC1048, EDUC1055, and EDUC1103,

and have completed or be concurrently enrolled in EDUC2102 and EDUC3066 and EDUC3075.

To enrol in this course students must be active in the following program: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary Studies)[40224].

Assumed knowledge

To enrol in this course students must have successfully completed 80 units.

Assessment items

Written Assignment: Written Task
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Project: Project
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Portfolio: Portfolio
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Compulsory Requirements

Compulsory Placement and WHS Requirements:

• Child Protection Awareness Training - Students must complete approved child protection awareness training.
• Working with Children - A national criminal history check and review of findings of misconduct involving children, required for any child-related work.
• Anaphylaxis Training - Students must complete approved anaphylaxis training.

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.