ECE 3007 Current Issues and Trends

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
ECE 3007 50551 1, 2006 EXT Current Issues and Trends 1.00 Toowoomba
Academic group: FOEDU
Academic org: FOE004
Student contribution band: National Priority Teaching
ASCED code: 070101

Contents


STAFFING:

Moderator: Leisa Holzheimer

RATIONALE:

The opportunity to explore and critically evaluate widely-accepted practices, contemporary issues and emerging trends is an essential feature of the pre-service program of any profession. To develop the 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 an opportunity for early childhood education students to explore trends and issues in general, within early childhood education and to select a focus for an indepth examination.

SYNOPSIS:

The course explores contemporary issues and trends related to many facets of the care and education of young children. Students will be expected to read in depth in a number of areas presented for study and to examine in depth, an issue/trend of choice. A problem-based community focussed approach will be taken. 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. using a problem-based community focussed approach, successfully examine a trend/issue in depth
  5. use written communication effectively and appropriately
  6. write clearly, grammatically correctly with accurate spelling and punctuation and bibliographic referencing (Harvard Referencing System).

TOPICS:


Description Weighting (%)
1. Problem-based learning and inquiry methods
 10.00
2. Political contexts of early childhood education: the ecology of the profession
 10.00
3. Quality assurance and accountability: leadership for excellence
 10.00
4. Ethics and professionalism
 10.00
5. Children, families and change
 10.00
6. Diversity and social justice in early childhood education
 10.00
7. Theoretical and pedagogical shifts in early childhood education curriculum
 10.00
8. Children and the media
 10.00
9. Contemporary views of children in a transnational context
 10.00
10. Children's views of themselves
 10.00

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).

Selected readings will be provided




REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Journals relevant to early childhood are particularly valuable, eg Young Children; Australian Journal of Early Childhood

Barbour, C & Barbour, NH 2001, Families, schools, and communities: building partnerships for educuating children, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Frost, JL, Wortham, S & Reifel, S 2001, Play and child development, Merrill Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Jensen, MA & Hannibal, MA 2000, Issues, advocacy and leadership in early education, 2nd edn, Allyn & Bacon, Boston, MA.

Press, F & Hayes, A 1999, OECD thematic review on early childhood and care policy: an Australian report, Department of Education.

Rodd, J 1998, Leadership in early childhood: the pathway to professionalism, Allen & Unwin, Frenchs Forest, NSW.




STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ACTIVITY HOURS
Assessment 50.00
Directed Study 25.00
Private Study 90.00


ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date
LIT REVIEW & INQUIRY PROPOSAL 40.00 40.00 28 Apr 2006
INQUIRY REPORT 60.00 60.00 22 Jun 2006

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  1. Attendance requirements:
    There are no attendance requirements for this course. 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 and must demonstrate their ability to write clearly, grammatically correctly and with accurate spelling and punctuation.
  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 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:
    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

1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the examiner.
2. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of request being made by the examiner. The student must retain this copy until the grade for this course has been finalised.
3. In accordance with the University's assignment extension policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
4. The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media. The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile. Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
5. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next working day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience.
6. Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
7. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination); IDM (Incomplete - Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
8. When there is more than one marker for a single item of assessment, the distributed patterns and means for the different markers will be compared and marks adjusted if necessary.
9. Marking criteria are provided in course material as mark sheets/guides or as part of assignment specifications.
10. All assessment items must be submitted with a pass overall gained.
11. Summative assessment items will receive a numerical score. Any ungraded assessment requirement will receive a Pass, Fail or Incomplete.

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.