ECE 2019 Emerging Literacies in Early Childhood Education

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Educators' knowledge of the development of multiple literacies from birth to eight years of age provides the framework for planning supportive literacy environments that facilitate the important transition from infancy through to the early years of school. Sound appreciation of the emergent nature of literacy also offers pathways in primary school for negotiating multilingualism and supporting progress in students with immature literacy development. Educators' awareness of the influence of socio-cultural contexts and the significance of continuity between the educational environments of the home and centre/school provides a focus for appreciating children's purposes in communicating and their search for meanings as they develop effective use of language.

SYNOPSIS:

This course will explore how oral language and symbolic representation of infants, toddlers and preschoolers form the basis for the emergence of multiple literacies which eventually incorporate print. The idea of emerging literacies will be developed as a relationship between speaking, listening, interpretation of symbols and reading, expression through symbols and writing, viewing (including computer use) and awareness of the social functions and conventions of communication. Educators' roles will be shown to encompass the planning of environments, strategies and resources and the assessment of children's progress from personal into shared symbolism including conventional print. The personal experiences of children, including the languages and communication styles used in the home, will provide the basis for exploring motivating and meaningful early childhood centre or junior school literacy programs.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. recognise young children's literate behaviours in a variety of forms;
2. assess literacy progress in young children;
3. select strategies appropriate for the development of individual learners;
4. prepare rich literacy environments for children birth to 8 years;
5. model printing, oral expression, listening and computer use for children;
6. plan for individuals and groups through using an emergent curriculum for young literacy learners;
7. explain and apply curriculum documents 0-8 years.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Dates for tasks to be advised during the semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   (b) It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   (a) To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   (b) If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   (d) To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for those items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   (a) The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   (e) There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   (d) There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.