Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

International research has highlighted the importance of a good foundation to literacy, beginning in early childhood. In this unit, current theoretical perspectives and research on young children's learning and development in language and literacies is critically analysed and discussed. The importance of planning for effective programs for a diverse range of home, care and educational contexts to enable success in early literacy learning for all young children is a key dimension of this unit. Students are required to engage critically with research and practice in literacy pedagogy and to relate this to discipline areas such as English.

Aims

This unit aims to engage you in addressing current issues and understanding the recent research evidence and professional practices that underpin effective literacy learning and teaching in the years before compulsory schooling and the early school years.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:

1. Engage in analytical and critical discussion of theoretical perspectives, research and policy in relation to literacy; identify and respond to issues and challenges relating to the provision of effective programs for literacy learning that are sensitive to: diverse contexts; diverse students and the multiple ways that children use to represent and communicate their ideas. (GC: B, D, F)

2. Demonstrate understanding of theoretical paradigms, professional knowledge and effective pedagogical practices in relation to curriculum planning and implementation to promote young children's language and literacies learning and development in a variety of contexts. (GC: A, F)

3. Reveal well developed personal levels of literacy competence using Standard Australian English demonstrated through use of appropriate literacy and communications conventions and technologies in meeting unit participation and assessment requirements). (GC: C, D).

Content

This unit addresses the following topics:

Literacy as social practice
Students are engaged in critical examination of theory and research. The unit takes the view that literacy is a repertoire of contextualised social practices used in contemporary and future life contexts. The diversity of experiences and literacy understandings that children bring from home and community are explored and the roles of language, culture and context are addressed in relation to pedagogical, curriculum and assessment implications for young children's learning in a variety of educational settings.

Enabling pedagogies
Key planning, teaching and assessing practices for literacy teaching and learning, that take account of young children's individual and group learning characteristics are examined. Consideration is given to the mindful use of a repertoire of teaching strategies that can be arranged along a continuum from explicit teaching to guided, negotiated and independent literacy learning experiences.

Planning balanced programs to cater for a range of learners
The implementation of balanced literacy learning programs and ways of establishing a literate learning environment in prior-to-school and school settings are investigated. The planning of meaningful experiences incorporating consideration of children contexts, community and ongoing literacy learning priorities is addressed.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Students are engaged in a variety of learning activities including seminar discussions or participation in discussion forums, guided and independent research, lectures and online materials.

Assessment

Assessment tasks are designed to allow students some choice to follow individual interests while enhancing their understandings of relevant theory and research literature and professional practices in the field of early childhood language, literacies and communication.Formative feedback is provided to students through on-campus and/or online consultations and discussions. Summative feedback will be provided on assessment items in the form of comments and assessment rubrics. Students can expect to receive this feedback within three weeks of submittion of their assignments.

Assessment name: Essay
Description: Review current literature on a topic in relation to young children's language literacies and communication learning and development and identify implications for effective literacy learning and teaching.
Length: 2000 words
Relates to objectives: 1 & 3.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Project (research) & Report
Description: Iimplement and report on a small investigative project into a selected aspect of young children's literacy learning and development.
Length: 3000 words
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 3.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End-Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts

There is no set text for this unit. Students will be provided with readings through CMD on the unit's Black Board site. Students are also expected to research and read widely to develop their understandings of topics within the unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-May-2012