Units
Field Studies in Early Childhood: Birth To 5 Years
Unit code: EDN641
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The field experience component of this course provides opportunities for the demonstration of competence in working with young children in a planned environment. The aim of this unit is enable you to draw upon your professional knowledge and experience in making child observations and in planning, implementing and evaluating learning experiences for children.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
The field experience component of this course provides opportunities for the demonstration of competence in working with young children in a planned environment.
Aims
The aim of this unit is enable you to draw upon your professional knowledge and experience in making child observations and in planning, implementing and evaluating learning experiences for children, and to critically reflect upon your experiences in the early childhood setting, making links to current literature in the field.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. plan, implement and evaluate appropriate learning opportunities for children based on a range observations, interpretations, curriculum and current pedagogical understandings; GC: A, B, E, F
2. communicate and interact effectively with children, parents, and colleagues in an early childhood setting in an ethical and respectful manner; GC: C, E, F
3. use observation and questioning to expand your knowledge of the early childhood environment; GC: A, B, D
4. model personal qualities needed for professional life as early childhood educators, e.g. responsiveness, flexibility, initiative, autonomy and self-evaluation; GC: D, F, G
5. demonstrate proficiency in using written communication in the presentation of all requirements of the unit. GC: C
Content
You will complete a minimum of 20 days (4 weeks) field experience with children in an early childhood setting. You are expected to become familiar with the operation of the program prior to the field experience. Given your existing professional status and experience, a professional standard of communication, both written and interpersonal, is expected. The unit offers a series of modules related to facets of early childhood education.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This field experience unit is undertaken in an early childhood setting for a minimum of 20 days (4 weeks). Under your host teacher's supervision, you will work progressively towards assuming responsibility for all aspects of the teaching role, including working with individual, small and large groups of children, assuming responsibility for the management of the learning environment, and communicating with parents and staff. The unit also provides opportunities to reflect on your experiences, making links with current literature related to the early childhood education field.
Assessment
Assessment in this unit is both formative and summative. Formative assessment is provided through feedback in email discussions and phone calls, written comments on assignment work, and feedback from staff. To gain a passing grade for this unit overall, both of the assessment items must be satisfactorily completed. Students who do not successfully complete all assessment items will be required to repeat the entire unit including the 20 days field experience.Students can expect formative feedback as part of engaging with the staff and peers in online discussions. Summative feedback will be provided in the form of assessment rubrics and comments on assignments.
Assessment name:
Portfolio
Description:
Early Childhood Field Experience Portfolio.
Length: equivalent to 5000 words
Relates to objectives:
1 - 5
Weight:
100%
Internal or external:
External
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End-Semester
Assessment name:
Demonstration
Description:
20 day (4 weeks) field-based assessment to be undertaken in an appropriate early childhood setting. Field experience is graded on a Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory basis. To achieve a satisfactory result all field experience criteria must be marked as Satisfactory.
Relates to objectives:
1 - 5
Internal or external:
External
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End-Field Experience
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
Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2008). Programming and planning in early childhood settings (4th ed.). Southbank, VIC: Thomson.
MacNaughton, G., & Williams, G. (2009). Techniques for teaching young children. Choice in theory and practice (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply.
Criminal History Check - working with children
The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 (Qld)
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: 31-Oct-2012
