TEA 4302 Professional Studies Project II

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

This course should be undertaken by students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Further Education and Training) during their final year of study. It represents a `capstone' course in the student's Professional Studies Option, to allow the synthesis into professional practice of the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in each strand of their program of study.

SYNOPSIS:

In this course, students will, under guidance of a member of staff, pursue and report upon an in-depth project related to their Professional Studies Option. Whilst the type of study need not necessarily involve the design of an instructional program or the conducting of research, students will be required to engage in a critical review of literature pertaining to their topic and an investigative or design component in which they seek to integrate theory and practice in the design, implementation and reporting of their project. NOTES: 1. Students undertaking this course as part of the Bachelor of Education (Further Education and Training) with the intention of Seeking Teacher Registration in Queensland must focus their work in this course on an instructional project or on a project directly related to an issue or development in curriculum or instruction in the formal education system. 2. Irrespective of the nature of the project undertaken, students will be required to provide evidence of maintenance of current competence in actual instructional activities undertaken during the period of their enrolment in this course. 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 students will be able to:

1. demonstrate the ability to plan, conduct and report on investigation or other such approved scholarly activity focused on a substantial instructional project, activity, issue or topic of significance in the area of the students' Professional Studies Option
2. demonstrate an ability to design and implement successful teaching-learning activities.

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).

Depending on the nature of the study to be completed, students may be required to purchase reference material.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Any recommended reference materials are referred to in the introductory book.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   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:
   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:
   In this course, if students are more than two weeks late with the submission of any assessment task, they are required to contact the course examiner, who may, at his/her discretion, grant a further extension.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by satisfactorily completing all summative assessment items. Irrespective of the nature of the project undertaken or the grade received for the project product finally submitted in this course, before a passing grade can be awarded, students will be required to demonstrate current instructional competence against the criteria listed on the Further Education and Training's Form A (in the Introductory Book), during the period of their enrolment in this course.
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 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. 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.