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Unit of study_

EDEC2009: Creative Arts in Early Childhood 1

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit aims to develop students' understanding of the role of the Creative Arts in the lives, learning and development of young children. Students will develop understandings of the elements and principles of Visual Arts, Drama, Music and Dance as relevant to young children's playful artistic explorations. Students will develop their understanding of the early childhood teacher's role in planning, implementation evaluating play-based learning environments that support children's meaning making through Creative Arts. They will also gain skills in the development of early childhood Creative Arts curriculum using the Early Years Learning Framework.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDEC2009
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
EDEC2001
Prerequisites
? 
66 credit points including EDEC2006
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Amanda Niland, amanda.niland@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Observing and implementing creative arts in an early childhood setting
Professional experience documentation and analytical reflections
35% Formal exam period 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Creative arts critical reflections portfolio
Critically reflective writing
35% Multiple weeks 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Song sharing
Oral presentation
15% Week 04 800 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3
Presentation group assignment Exploring the work of professional artists with young children
Creative work
15% Week 11 700 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Song sharing: Each student will select a song suitable for 3-5 year olds from recommended sources (see Canvas), plan a short (approximately 3 minutes) musical experience that extends on the song and share this in class. 
  • Critical reflections portfolio: Students are required to document and critically reflect on their Arts in early childhood professional learning journey. 
  • Exploring the work of professional artists with young children: You will work in pairs to develop a creative 'response' to an art work seen at the Chau Chak Wing Museum 
  • Observing and implementing creative arts in an early childhood setting: Students will document and analyse young children’s creative arts experiences during their professional experience placement in EDEC2010.
  • Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

NOTE: Students must submit all assignments to be eligible to pass the unit

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties for late assignment submission will apply, as set out in the University's Assessment Policy

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit - creativity and the arts in early childhood Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Music and dance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Music and dance Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Music and dance Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Drama Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Drama Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 Puppetry Workshop (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Visual arts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Visual arts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 Excursion; Chau Chak Wing Museum Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Final presentations Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Required text: Ewing, R. (Ed.). (2012). The Creative Arts in the Lives of Young Children: Play, Imagination and learning. Melbourne: ACER. (no  e-version available). Purchase is recommended. 

 

All other readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Reading List link available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate knowledge of the central importance of the Creative Arts to the development and developing sense of identity of children aged from birth to five years
  • LO2. articulate a knowledge of theories and research related to the creative arts in early childhood
  • LO3. recognise, analyse and use the elements of drama, visual arts, music and dance in supporting children’s meaning-making in each art form
  • LO4. demonstrate skills and confidence in interacting with young children in and through the creative arts
  • LO5. select and evaluate quality arts resources for children from birth to five years
  • LO6. plan, implement and evaluate authentic and meaningful integrated Creative Arts experiences in early childhood settings.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
1.1. Learning, development and care
2.5. Children with diverse needs and backgrounds
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.7. Creative arts and music
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.1. Alternative pedagogies and curriculum approaches.
2.2. Play based pedagogies
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.7. Creative arts and music
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
5.2. Contemporary theories and practice
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.1. Alternative pedagogies and curriculum approaches.
2.2. Play based pedagogies
2.4. Teaching methods and strategies
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.7. Creative arts and music
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.1. Alternative pedagogies and curriculum approaches.
2.2. Play based pedagogies
2.3. Guiding behaviour / engaging young learners
2.4. Teaching methods and strategies
3.7. Creative arts and music
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.2. Play based pedagogies
2.5. Children with diverse needs and backgrounds
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.7. Creative arts and music
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.1. Alternative pedagogies and curriculum approaches.
2.2. Play based pedagogies
2.3. Guiding behaviour / engaging young learners
2.4. Teaching methods and strategies
2.5. Children with diverse needs and backgrounds
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.7. Creative arts and music
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
4.4. Socially inclusive practice
6.3. Professional identity and development
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 A Learning, development and care
1.3 T Social and emotional development
1.4 A Child health, well-being and safety
1.8 T Transitions and continuity of learning (including transition to school).
2.1 A T Alternative pedagogies and curriculum approaches.
2.2 A T Play based pedagogies
2.3 A T P Guiding behaviour / engaging young learners
2.4 A T P Teaching methods and strategies
2.5 A T Children with diverse needs and backgrounds
2.6 T Working with children who speak languages other than, or in addition to, English.
3.1 A T Early Years Learning Framework
3.7 A T P Creative arts and music
3.9 A Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
4.1 T Developing family and community partnerships
4.2 T Multicultural education
4.3 T Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
4.5 A Culture, diversity and inclusion
5.3 A Ethics and professional practice
6.3 A T P Professional identity and development

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback, minor changes have been made to length and weighting of assignments, to more effectively reflect the work involved

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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