TEA 2201 Classroom Relationships

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Providing pupils with dynamic interactive learning environments is a most important function for teachers of the future. To be able to provide for a variety of teaching/learning environments, teachers need to develop reflective skills to enable the analysis of teaching and learning experiences. This analysis facilitates informed decision-making about the education of their pupils and their own teaching styles. It is important that pre-service teachers have a sound theoretical base on which to build their competencies for managing, organising and teaching in a variety of educational settings. They need to develop theories that are personally meaningful to guide and shape their development as effective teachers. Also essential is that pre-service teachers understand that effective teachers have a thorough knowledge of how their students develop and learn so that they may provide appropriate opportunities for those students to facilitate learning.

SYNOPSIS:

This course will focus on the study of teaching and learning and how supportive classroom environments enhance meaningful learning experiences. Areas of study in this course will include: what is meant by teaching and learning, teacher roles, classroom interaction and management, classroom resources and technology, teaching strategies and learning styles, planning teaching episodes and reflective practice. The particular emphasis will be the development of basic teaching, planning, communicating and management skills. Fifteen days practicum in schools provides students opportunities to apply the principles developed in this course and to further develop their skills and understandings of what it is to be a teacher. 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 the course students will have developed an understanding, will demonstrate skills relating to, and will appreciate:

1. that effective teaching is very much a problem-solving exercise that involves classroom contexts, schools, children and the community
2. that there are theoretical bases about how children learn which underpin teaching practice
3. that reflective thinking skills may be used to analyse and evaluate their own teaching performance
4. basic classroom communication and teaching
5. observation, lesson planning, classroom management, assessment and lesson implementation
6. reflective thinking about the analysis and evaluation of their own teaching performance
7. the critical analysis of teaching and learning theories
8. the importance of making a contribution to the community and the teaching profession
9. the commitment and understanding required to meet the needs and interests of learners when preparing and implementing teaching episodes
10. knowledge, understanding and application of appropriate communication skills.

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).

A shrinkwrap package consisting of: Brady, L, 2003, Teacher voices: the school experience, Pearson Education, Frenchs Forest; Brady, L & Kennedy, K, 2003, Curriculum construction, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest & Pirola-Merlo, S, 2003, Relationship management in the primary school classroom: strategies in the legal and social context, Prentice Hall, Frenchs Forest.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Letter grades will be used in this course and displayed in the notes section.

2.

Students must successfully complete the professional experience component and the academic component to pass this course. A value of one (1) indicates you have passed the professional component. A value of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the professional experience component.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   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:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available (or at least a grade of C-) for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 5% 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:
   In order to gain a passing grade in the course, students must submit all items of assessment; complete all professional experience requirements successfully; attain a passing grade or equivalent mark in at least two of the three coursework assessment items; and achieve a minimum of 50% of the total marks available for assessment in the course. Normally, there will be no opportunity for the resubmission of failed or unsatisfactory items of assessment. Students who do not achieve a passing grade in the course, may be eligible for supplementary assessment in the following circumstances: where the professional experience requirements constitute the only assessment item not completed satisfactorily; or where the professional experience requirements were completed satisfactorily, and (i) at least two of the other three Pass Rules were satisfied, and (ii) a minimum of 40% of the available marks were attained for the failed item.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   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:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   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.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.
2. Students are to use a recognised referencing system as specified by the examiner.
3. 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.