ECE 3007 Current Issues and Trends

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

The opportunity to explore and critically evaluate widely-accepted practices and emerging trends is an essential feature of the pre-service program of any profession. To develop as a profession, early childhood educators will need to address constant demands for change, development and response to emerging issues at local as well as international levels. This course provides such an opportunity for early childhood educators.

SYNOPSIS:

The course explores historical and contemporary issues related to many facets of the care and education of young children. Particular emphasis will be given to when, where and how early education takes place. Students will be expected to read in depth in a number of areas presented for study. This course emphasises literacy correctness in all its forms. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. identify current local, national and international issues and trends in the education and care of young children;
2. evaluate critically the social, educational, political and economic bases of current issues and trends in early childhood education;
3. assess issues in relation to current teaching situations and develop constructive responses;
4. adopt an active role as advocate for young children;
5. use written communication effectively and appropriately;
6. write clearly, grammatically correctly and with accurate spelling and punctuation.

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.

Examination timetable will be available during semester.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   (a) There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility 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. To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must demonstrate their ability to write clearly, grammatically correctly and with accurate spelling and punctuation.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   (a) If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available marks for overall summative assessment.
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 (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   (b) In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination."
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   (c) Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held in the fourth week of the semester following this course offering and the examiner will advise students involved in writing of the date time and location of any such examination.
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.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students will require access to e-mail and internet access to USQConnect for this course.
2. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.