SEC3503 Professional Context Curriculum Project

SEC	3503	63376	1, 2007	ONC	Professional Context Curriculum Project	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOEDU
Academic org:	FOE003
Student contribution band:	National Priority Teaching
ASCED code:	070105

Staffing
Requisites
Other requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Lesley McAuley-Jones
Moderator: Alison Mander

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: SEC2505 and SEC2506

OTHER REQUISITES

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html.

RATIONALE

Now that beginning educators have been exposed to the essential elements of curriculum and pedagogy, and are familiar with the key concepts pertaining to general curriculum documentation or to their areas of specialization, this course promotes further investigation into the essential knowledges, skills and competencies necessary for effective planning and teaching in a range of educational contexts from a transdisciplinary perspective. An essential component of this course is that it involves professional context-based planning in an appropriate location

SYNOPSIS

This course builds on elements of curriculum theory and practice gained in previous curriculum and pedagogy courses and professional experience through an investigation of negotiated context based curriculum issues using a transdisciplinary approach. For example, authentic planning and assessment, literacy across curriculum areas, equity issues, effective resources, ICTs etc. This course promotes opportunities to investigate transdisciplinary links, nurture proactive practices in a supportive environment, and develop confidence and enthusiasm to implement innovative curriculum plans developed in partnership with a mentor in an appropriate professional context.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their specialist teaching areas
relate in-depth knowledge and understanding to a variety of curriculum related issues such as planning, assessment, resources, inclusivity and technology
demonstrate a capacity for independent enquiry
translate this knowledge and understanding into the professional requirements expected of a beginning teacher in terms of responsibilities to the learner
demonstrate appropriate literacies practices.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Introduction to the project	10.00
2.	An in-depth investigation of curriculum-based issues which will include a variety of topics relevant to the beginning teacher's specialist teaching areas, as well as their interests and needs. Topics will include assessment, planning, resources, integration of technology, inclusivity, etc.	40.00
3.	Evaluation of the project	50.00

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).

Each curriculum area requires the purchase of relevant syllabus documents.

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.

Details to be supplied as required by individual curriculum areas and negotiated projects.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Private Study	73.00
Project Consultations	7.00
Project Work	79.00
Workshops	6.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
PROJECT PROPOSAL	1.00	1.00	07 Aug 2006	(see note 1)
PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT	1.00	1.00	09 Oct 2006	(see note 2)
PROJECT	50.00	50.00	06 Nov 2006
PROJECT EVALUATION	50.00	50.00	06 Nov 2006

NOTES

1.: A mark of one (1) indicates you have passed the project proposal component. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the project proposal component. The weighting of 1% is used for administrative purposes only and is NOT included in the overall weighting for this course.
2.: A mark of one (1) indicates you have passed the project progress report component. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the project progress report component. The weighting of 1% is used for administrative purposes only and is NOT included in the overall weighting for this course.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

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.
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.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each week late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
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.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
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.	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.
6.	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).
7.	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.
8.	Marking criteria are provided in course material as mark sheets/guides or as part of assignment specifications.
9.	Each assessment item must be submitted.
10.	Summative assessment items will receive a numerical score. Any ungraded assessment requirement will receive a Pass, Fail or Incomplete.
11.	Students are expected to attend all consultations/workshops.
12.	Students are expected to regularly attend the project educational site.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

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

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.