| AQF Level |
Level 7 Bachelor Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
021499E |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This degree qualifies graduates to teach children aged birth to twelve years in prior to school and primary educational school settings. The program focuses on developing specialist knowledge of young children’s learning and development and to plan, implement and evaluate curriculum and learning experiences in prior to school and primary school settings. Students explore a range of philosophical, theoretical and practical aspects of learning and teaching which equips them with the professional capacity to respond to the complexity and diversity of children, families and communities in Australian society. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. review, analyse and synthesise in-depth knowledge of children’s learning and development across the age range birth to twelve years (K, T)
2. articulate and apply in-depth knowledge of discipline content, education theory and curriculum approaches that result in best outcomes for children’s learning (K, T, P)
3. appraise and critically reflect on theory and practice in child development, health and wellbeing, curriculum, pedagogy, leadership and management (K, T)
4. apply sound pedagogical knowledge within prior-to-school and primary school educational settings through planning, facilitation and evaluation of children’s learning (K, T, P, I ,C, J)
5. design and implement learning experiences that meet early childhood and primary curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements (K, P, I)
6. communicate effectively as ethical, reflective and informed practitioners when working with colleagues, children, families, and other education and community stakeholders (K, C, E, J)
7. critically evaluate early childhood and primary education programs and policies drawing on knowledge of educational research principles and methods (K, T, P, C)
8. differentiate and respond to the unique social, emotional and intellectual characteristics and needs of children from a range of backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, children with diverse linguistic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and students with a disability (K, T, J, I)
9. demonstrate initiative, accountability and professional judgment and autonomy when applying discipline-specific knowledge and skills in undertaking research, policy development and teaching practice (K, T, P, C, J)
10. draw on a range of strategies to promote positive classroom behaviours and develop rapport with children (K, P, T)
11. apply professional judgment in relation to the Australian regulatory environment for early childhood and primary education with reference to curriculum documents and professional standards (K, T, E, A, J, L)
12. model leadership, management and advocacy skills based on a critical knowledge of policy, pedagogy and practice and act as mentors to other early childhood and primary educators (K, C, E, A, J, L). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The program reflects a multi-disciplinary approach. The learning and teaching methods are designed to develop both knowledge and capabilities in:
• integrating theories of child development with contemporary approaches to curriculum and pedagogy
• understanding theories of children’s learning and relating this to curriculum knowledge
• working with a diverse range of families
• understanding and meeting Graduate Teacher Standards
• understanding and applying the National Quality Framework as a tool for increasing the quality of education and care experiences for all children
• becoming competent, reflective and ethical professionals
• applying knowledge and skills to effective professional experience in schools and early childhood centres.
You will be exposed to classroom teaching from your first year of enrolment, ensuring relevancy and helping you to make connections from theory to real-world practice. Inquiry-led reflective practice experiences inform and enrich the learning that takes place at university. You will undertake supervised professional experience placements in a range of prior-to-school and school settings covering teaching experience across the age range from birth to 12 years.
The program structure and sequencing of units reflects an integrated approach whereby you are supported in learning to effectively link theoretical and content knowledge with pedagogical practice. The program structure reflects a spiral approach to curriculum delivery whereby content knowledge and pedagogical practice are addressed and revisited throughout the four-year structure. The program provides a framework for you to develop the knowledge, research skills and confidence to take a leadership role in teaching and advocacy for the education and care of children.
Program content is delivered via a combination of live and on-line lectures, readings and on-line resources. Tutorials include individual and small group tasks aimed at providing you with the opportunity to apply knowledge and practice skills related to understanding, planning for and evaluating children’s learning and development, and working with children and families from diverse backgrounds. |
| Assessment |
The program includes a range of formative and summative assessment approaches that allow you to demonstrate your developing knowledge and skills related to child development, health and wellbeing, educational theory, curriculum, pedagogy, professional practice, and management and leadership. Assessment tasks vary across units depending on the focus of the unit and the learning outcomes being assessed. Some examples of assessment tasks include:
• essays and reports identifying and critically analysing themes and issues in the professional literature, contemporary research and media
• development of resources for use in teaching practice
• development of resources for families aimed at supporting their children’s learning, development and wellbeing
• planning for learning and teaching in individual and integrated Key Learning Areas
• planning and presenting units of work to peers
• observation and analysis of learning in children’s play
• designing, planning and analysing children’s learning environments
• developing assessment tasks across Key Learning Areas using a variety of strategies for evaluation
• developing pedagogical documentation to provide insight into children’s interaction, dispositions, relationships, learning or behaviour which would not be as apparent through traditional observational or assessment procedures
• critical reflection of your professional experience practice
• articulating your own teaching philosophy
• responding to course content and readings via online discussions/blogs
• online quizzes
• formal examinations.
Your teaching practice during Professional Experience placements is evaluated in relation to professional standards of effective early childhood practice (building relationships; understanding children; facilitating learning; critical and reflective practice; and, working professionally). For students completing placements in school settings, the expectations are aligned with the Graduate Teacher Standards determined by Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
This degree qualifies graduates to teach children aged birth to twelve years in prior to school and primary educational school settings. Graduates have specialist knowledge of children’s learning and development and are often employed as educational leaders to oversee the curriculum and learning experiences for children. Early Childhood teachers are often found in senior leadership positions in larger children’s services organisations and therefore a key component of this program is focussed on the development of advocacy and leadership skill development. Graduates can be employed in a range of prior to school and school settings as well as child and family programs in government and non-government organisations both in Australia and overseas. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
This degree adheres to two accrediting bodies:
The degree will be submitted to the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) in June 2014, the national accrediting body for school-based pre-service teacher education (www.aitsl.edu).
|
