TEA 3204 Exploring Professional Practice

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Rapid changes in secondary schools and the growing diversity of contexts place intense demands on the role of teachers. This course provides further professional (field) experience in a new context. The student will have further opportunity for bringing together both theory and practical components of the program. The integration of the theory with the active daily tasks associated with a teaching career is an essential step in the transition from tertiary institution to the professional work place.

SYNOPSIS:

The in-school experience to date has enabled students to be involved in the normal day to day running of a school in one context. This course offers the student an extensive period in the field in a new context. The professional experience will require involvement in the planning and implementation of courses of work along with the daily administrative and professional requirements of a teacher. The experience will require pre-service teachers to play an active role in the construction of their own practical theories. Their in-school experience will enable them to question, criticize and reformulate their assumptions about the nature of teachers' work. 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 completion of this course students will be able:

1. to provide professional experience in a variety of contexts
2. to develop students ability to analyse their own practice for improvement
3. to develop students ability to observe research, analyse and reflect on their own and others' practice in a collaborative manner
4. to develop a student ability to contextualise practice
5. to make the student aware professional of development and trends affecting both the teaching profession and their own specialist teaching areas;
6. to make the student aware of, and analyse equity issues which impinge upon the teaching-learning process, teaching practice and the contexts of schooling
7. to demonstrate understanding and application of appropriate professional 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).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

The examiner will advise the due dates for all assessment items. All students must successfully pass 25 days of professional experience as well as the academic component to successfully complete this course. A value of one (1) indicates you have passed the professional experience 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 the professional experience satisfactorily, students must complete 25 days of professional experience as organised by the Office of Professional Experience, and obtain a satisfactory standard on the performance evaluation profile, thus gaining the 1 mark for professional experience. To complete all remaining 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:
   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 week 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 of the summative assessment items, achieve at least 50% of the available marks in each assessment item, and obtain a satisfactory standard in the professional experience.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final course grade will be calculated by aggregating the weighted result for each summative assessment item.
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 unable to attend professional experience due to illness MUST notify the school and the University.
2. Any time lost for professional experience MUST be made up.
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.