GPE1002 Professional Experience 2

GPE	1002	79075	2, 2008	EXT	Professional Experience 2	0.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOEDU
Academic org:	FOE004
Student contribution band:	National Priority Teaching
ASCED code:	070101

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: Karen Noble
Moderator: Alice Brown

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the following Program: GDEC

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

Since the learning environment in early childhood programs is a core element of curriculum, the organisation and educational purpose of child-responsive environment is foundational knowledge for early childhood educators. They must be conscious of the impact of changes in the immediate human, physical and time environments and aware of influences in the external socio-political and community context. These issues are of particular significance in programs for very young children as atmosphere or climate exerts a marked influence on children's personal comfort, health and safety, interpersonal behaviour and their responsiveness to learning experiences. To construct curriculum effectively early childhood professionals need to take into account the knowledge, interests and experiences that each child brings into the early childhood centre and be aware of their own prior knowledge and personal experience.

SYNOPSIS

Professional Experience 2 explores the development of positive learning environments for young children. Emphasis will be placed on the development of integrated and holistic programs with a strong focus on early childhood philosophy. It is acknowledged that effective learning environments for young children are characterised by flexibility and responsiveness to children and are planned in relation to a range of ecological and educare considerations. It is also imperative that the organisation of a learning environment, including not only physical issues but also time and interpersonal issues, is modified regularly in response to the current interests of children and the needs of staff and parents. Students undertaking this course are required to complete 30 days of professional experience in an approved education setting.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course students will be able to:

apply the tools of child study in an integrated way, to facilitate their understanding of the developmental needs of the whole child in the 0-8 age range (Professional Experience and Professional Experience Folder)
plan, organise, create and modify responsive early childhood play-based learning environments (Professional Experience and Professional Experience Folder)
design and teach motivating, challenging and creative early learning programs (Professional Experience and Professional Experience Folder)
develop and implement integrated play-based curriculum programs (Professional Experience and Professional Experience Folder)
critically reflect on their own professional development in teaching young children and working as a team member (Professional Experience and Professional Experience Folder)
demonstrate competence in and appropriate use of language and literacy, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing (Professional Experience and Professional Experience Folder).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Professional experience	100.00

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).

2006, GPE1002 Professional Experience booklet, USQ, Toowoomba.

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.

2003, Child Care Regulations 2003 (Available: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/C/ChildCareR03.pdf).

2002, Child Care Act 2002 (Available: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/C/ChildCareA02.pdf).

Whether you are on, or off campus, the USQ Library is an excellent source of information http://www.usq.edu.au/library/. The gateway to education resources is here ....http://www.usq.edu.au/library/faculties/education/default.htm

Arthur, L, Beecher, B, Dockett, S, Farmer, S & Death, E 1996, Programming and planning in early childhood settings, Harcourt Brace, Sydney.

Briggs, F & Potter, G 1999, The early years of school: teaching and learning, 3rd edn, Addison Wesley Longman, South Melbourne.

Feeney, S, Christensen, D & Moravcik, E 2006, Who am I in the lives of children: an introduction to teaching young children, 7th edn, Merrill, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Gonzales-Mena, J & Eyer, DW 2001, Infants, toddlers and caregivers, 5th edn, Mayfield, Mountain View, CA.

Hutchins, T & Sims, M 1999, Program planning for infants and toddlers: an ecological approach, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Van Hoorn, J, Nourot, P, Scales, B & Alward, K 2003, Play at the centre of the curriculum, 3rd edn, Merrill, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	30.00
Private Study	50.00
Professional Experience	240.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE A	1.00	1.00	21 Jul 2008	(see note 1)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE B	1.00	1.00	21 Jul 2008	(see note 2)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENC PROJECT	1.00	50.00	21 Jul 2008	(see note 3)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE FOLDER	1.00	50.00	14 Nov 2008	(see note 4)

NOTES

1.: Professional Experience dates as per Professional Experience schedule. A mark of 1 indicates you have passed the Professional Experience A. Zero indicates you have not passed the Professional Experience A. 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 Professional Experience B. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the Professional Experience B. The weighting of 1% is used for administrative purposes only and is NOT included in the overall weighting for this course.
3.: A mark of one (1) indicates you have passed the Professional Experience project. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the Professional Experience project.
4.: Professional Experience folder is due immediately following Professional Experience completion date. A mark of one (1) indicates you have passed the professional experience folder. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the professional experience folder. The Examiner to advise the due dates for all assessment items.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
Students must complete 30 days of Professional Experience to pass this course and as partial fulfilment of the Board of Teacher Registration/Department of Communities' requirements for registration. Any day missed must be made up.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To complete Professional Experience satisfactorily, students must complete the required hours as organised by the Professional Experience Unit and obtain a satisfactory standard on the Professional Experience Summative Assessment Form thus gaining the 1 mark for Professional Experience. The Professional Experience Folder must receive Pass and must be presented in a professional manner with correct use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit required assignments late without the approval of the Examiner, they can expect to be given a Fail grade for the course.
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 and satisfactorily complete the sector-based Professional Experience.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
As P is the only passing grade available for this course, all students who are qualified for a passing grade as in 4 above, will be given a grade of P. Other students will be given either a Failing grade or an Incomplete grade.
Examination information:
There is no examination for 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.	If requested, students will be required to provide a copy of the Folder submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be despatched to USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request being made.
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 couse 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 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 the minimum requirements for a passing grade 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 meet the minimum requirements for a passing grade after a period of non-directed personal study.
6.	Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assessment item 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.	Students must satisfactorily complete Professional Experience A & B; the Professional Experience Folder; and the Professional Experience Project.
10.	As P is the only passing grade available for this course, assessment items will receive a Pass, Fail or Incomplete.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Results for this course will not be released until Professional Experience has been successfully completed, the Folder assessed and all documentation processed.
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 28 Aug 2008.