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

Educators wishing to perform the professional duties of a Guidance Officer/Educational Counsellor need to have an understanding and knowledge about the tasks undertaken in professional practice. In keeping with the educational philosophy of P-12, you will be exposed to the professional duties undertaken by a Guidance Officer/Educational Counsellor working in a preschool, primary and secondary setting. This unit will describe the various duties and tasks undertaken by helping professionals working in the educational context.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with a broad understanding of the professional practices of Guidance Officers/Educational Counsellors operating in pre-schools, primary and secondary schools.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge
a) of early intervention programs operating in preschools to overcome developmental delays,
b) of intervention, preventative, and developmental programs operating in primary schools, and
c) of adolescent issues and career counselling; GC: A

2. apply the major models on consultation and their application for working with educators operating within the P-12 context; GC:A,B,C

3. use organisational and self-management techniques applicable to the professional role of a Guidance Officer/Educational Counsellor; GC: B,C, E

4. demonstrate a first hand knowledge of the duties and tasks undertaken by Guidance Officers/Educational Counsellors working in pre-schools, primary and secondary schools by undertaking practicum visits to each of these contexts and writing a report: GC: A,E,F

Content

This unit covers the following topics:

1. The professional practices of Guidance Officers/Educational Counsellors working within a P-12 context will be outlined and discussed.

2. Intervention, prevention and developmental programs operating in the three educational contexts will be outlined. Case methodology will be discussed and techniques for handling specific problem situations will be outlined.

3. Consultation: models, theories and practices will be outlined, discussed and applied to the three educational contexts. Techniques for problem and conflict management will be outlined.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Various processes and approaches will be used in this course. These include videos, interactive group learning, practice sessions using role play, demonstrations, group discussion, and lectures. A major emphasis will be towards the development of ethical and professional practices. This unit requires compulsory attendance on-campus for one week with assessment completed throughout the semester.

Assessment

The course will be assessed summatively in two ways by a program implementation and a reflective journalFeedback will be provided by written comment on assignments and by email when requested

Assessment name: Project (research)
Description: Program Implementation and Evaluation
Choose a prevention or early intervention program from one which is already published or one you put together in consultation with relevant teachers and guidance counsellors. If you are using materials from an established program indicate how you have contributed unique and practical adjustments to make it relevant for your target population or if making your own, acknowledge all sources. Implement and evaluate the program. Write a report of 2000 words on the implementation and evaluation of the program. Attach as appendices all the materials you used, such as a resource folder which you could use again as a school counsellor.
Length: 2000 words
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Reflective Journal
Description: Development of a Framework of Practice.
You will be required to submit written work (750 words each) related to four module areas and contribute to online discussions. Components of the final journal will be handed in four times during the semester. The final journal will be submitted at the end of semester.
Relates to objectives: 3 & 4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
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

Any unit specific learning resources will be made available during the block course and via the unit blackboard site.

Risk assessment statement

There are no risks beyond the ordinary which need to be considered in this unit. Workplace Health and Safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply.

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