PRT4000 Internship: Primary and Middle School Educators

PRT	4000	84360	3, 2008	ONC	Internship: Primary and Middle School Educators	2.00	Springfield
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOEDU
Academic org:	FOE002
Student contribution band:	National Priority Teaching
ASCED code:	070117

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: Alison Mander
Moderator: Joan Conway

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: PRT2201 and PRT2202 and PRT3201 and PRT3202 and PRT4201 and PRT4202

OTHER REQUISITES

PRE-REQUISITES: In order to be admitted to the internship, pre-service teachers must have successfully completed all components of the first seven semesters of study. This specifically includes the completion of the full 80 days of supervised professional experience associated with the six courses PRT2201, PRT2202, PRT3201, PRT3202, PRT4201 and PRT4202. 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

This course is one of three courses in the final semester of the BPMU which together provide a capstone to the four year degree. This course contributes two credit points and will be undertaken by students in their last semester of study. The process of transition from identifying as a student to that of a professional practitioner will be assisted by the organisation of the whole semester offering. The delivery of all three courses (PRT4000, PRI4001 and PRI4002) has been planned as an interlinking suite of courses to be undertaken in the final semester to develop praxis and support the learning of the emerging practitioner as a reflective, knowledgeable and responsible professional. The literature states that beginning teachers frequently report dissatisfaction with the extent to which their programs of pre-service study have prepared them adequately for accepting the role of beginning teacher in their "first year out". Similarly, beginning teachers typically describe this first year of employment as a teacher as a daunting test in which they concentrate on surviving, rather than continuing to develop and learn in professional learning communities. Thus the process of transition or induction from pre-service teacher to beginning teacher may be a time of considerable challenge and vulnerability, and of high levels of stress, leading to levels of attrition among first year teachers that are unnecessarily high. Given that learning to teach is a process that occurs of over time, and in changing contexts leading to induction into the profession, the Internship provides a critical step in this continuum. The Internship provides a bridge between pre-service and beginning teaching, both as a culmination of pre-service study and a guided and supported introduction to beginning teaching. For the Faculty of Education and its partner schools the Internship offers a vehicle through which projects of significance in local professional communities may be advanced to mutual benefit and where pre-service teachers gain a supported period in the role of the beginning teaching professional.

SYNOPSIS

Pre-service teachers undertaking the final year of study in the B Ed (Primary and Middle School) program will complete a pattern of study in the Semester prior to undertaking the Internship that will include two periods of professional experience in a school. In normal circumstances, once all pre-reqisities have been met, the pre-service teacher will return to the same school as an Intern. (The pre-service teacher may be permitted to undertake the Internship at an alternative site where special consideration is sought at the discretion of the Course Examiner for PRT4000). Interns will have two broad focus areas for their practice during the 32 day Intership: a teaching load equivalent to 50% of a regular full-time load (with "teaching" understood to involve the full range of teachers' repertoires of practice in the school and the professional community); and an agreed "specified professional development project" in which the Intern collaborates with school-based staff to pursue an issue related to the improvement of teaching and learning at the school, through a clearly defined methodology. Pre-service Teachers will submit a short series of narratives to demonstrate beginning competence as teachers. The precise nature of the arrangements will be formalised through individual agreements between host schools, Interns and the Faculty of Education. Students will be required to submit a proposal for approval of Internship to the Course Examiner; this will include organising and receiving an "Authority to Teach" from Queensland College of Teachers, prior to commencement.

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:

accept responsibility for the professional competence expected of a beginning teacher in all repertoires of teaching practice (Internship)
demonstrate sound beginning teacher competencies as outlined by the Queensland College of Teachers, Professional Standards (Internship and Professional Professional Narratives)
collaborate effectively and appropriately with the range of educational professionals in the school site and with members of the local educational communitiy (Internship)
contribute meaningfully to a school improvement project (Internship and Professional Narratives)
demonstrate competence in and appropriate use of language and literacy, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and bibliographic referencing (Internship and Professional Narratives).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Teaching and learning in all three courses (PRT4000, PRI4001 and PRI4002) will require students to be actively engaged in the development of their learning within learning communities. Teaching of course specific topics will be overtly linked across the three courses and students will be required to demonstrate their understanding and application of these topics in their learning communities. These learning experiences will support the emergent practitioner in their commitment to reflective practice, professional growth, and demonstration of professional standards for teachers (e.g. QCT) and USQ graduate attributes. The main focus for PRT4000 is: 1.1. Engagement with the professional work of teachers. 1.2. Designing and delivering engaging and flexible learning experiences for individuals and groups in an educational context. 1.3. Teaching, assessing and reporting constructively and meaningfully on student learning. 1.4. Reflective practice and reflection in action for improvement of practice. 1.5. Teacher as researcher (of a specific educational issue). 1.6. Evidence of collaboration and sharing within a professional presentation.	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).

Professional Internship Book of Readings.

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

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.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Assessment	80.00
Internship	210.00
Lectures or Seminars	30.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
PROFESSIONAL NARRATIVES		1.00	100.00	27 Oct 2008	(see note 1)
INTERNSHIP		1.00	1.00	23 Feb 2009	(see note 2)

NOTES

1.: A mark of one (1) indicates you have passed the professional narratives component. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the professional narratives component.
2.: Your assessment will include the satisfactory completion of a 6 week internship and the submission of professional narratives. A mark of one (1) indicates you have passed the Internship component. A mark of zero (0) indicates you have not passed the Internship component.

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 satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks available. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.)
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 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 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.	In accordance with University Policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
3.	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.
4.	In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
5.	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).
6.	Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.
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. Marking criteria are provided in course material as mark shees/guides or as part of assignment specifications.
8.	Summative assessment items will receive a numerical score. Any ungraded assessment items will receive a Pass, Fail or Incomplete.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

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.
Students will require access to email and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.

This version produced 16 Jun 2008.