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Unit of study_

EDMT6009: EC Internship and Practitioner Inquiry

Semester 2b, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Final professional experience unit in the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood). Students experience the professional work of early childhood teachers over an extended placement of 36 days. Students apply their knowledge, skills and understandings of early childhood teaching and learning, assuming substantive teaching responsibility and related duties, and demonstrate consolidation of outcomes achieved in the previous two professional experience units. In addition, students design and implement a practitioner inquiry project focused on improving their own practice and supporting professional development during the placement. Findings are presented at a research conference.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT6009
Academic unit Education
Credit points 12
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
72 credit points
Corequisites
? 
EDMT6631 and EDMT6632
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Wilma Murdoch, wilma.murdoch@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Practitioner inquiry presentation
Presentation at research conference 7th & 8th December
0% Formal exam period
Due date: 08 Dec 2023 at 23:59
1500 words/ 10 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7
Assignment hurdle task Practitioner inquiry: FInal report
Description of findings, discussion and conclusion
0% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Dec 2023 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7
Assignment Internship
Attendance, supervising teacher report, internship portfolio
0% Progressive
Due date: 15 Dec 2023 at 23:59
36 days attendance plus one day lead-up
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Introduction to practitioner inquiry
Explore nature & benefits of practitioner inquiry. References/ lit review
0% Week 08
Due date: 24 Sep 2023 at 23:59
600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Assignment Practitioner inquiry plan
Detailed plan including aims, rationale, literature review and methods
0% Week 11
Due date: 20 Oct 2023 at 23:59
600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Practitioner inquiry:

Students will plan a practitioner inquiry project to be conducted during the internship placement.  The findings will be presented at a ‘research conference’ at the end of semester

Internship placement:

A 32-day internship plus one-day lead-up visit to be completed Monday to Thursday over eight weeks.  Assessment components of the placement include 100% attendance, supervising teacher’s report and portfolio

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.

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 practitioner inquiry / Communities of practice Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5
Week 06 Literature review / Specialist teaching techniques Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 08 Participants, data generation / Assessment and planning Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 09 Data analysis / Professional identity and pedagogical leadership Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO6
Week 10 Preparing to implement research plan / Professional challenges Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 11 Conducting practitioner inquiry / Reflective practice scenarios Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 12 Conducting practitioner inquiry / Reflective practice scenarios Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 13 Individual or small group consultations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List 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. Take increasing leadership responsibility for planning, implementing and assessing quality early childhood curriculum in collaboration with other educators
  • LO2. Take increasing leadership responsibility for communicating and collaborating professionally and respectfully with staff, families, children and community
  • LO3. Critically reflect on practice and exercise professional judgement, making links between theory, philosophy, child development and practice
  • LO4. Clearly articulate a professional identity and philosophy informed by theory and contemporary practice
  • LO5. Appreciate the importance of undertaking practitioner inquiry for ongoing professional development and transformation of practice
  • LO6. Plan, implement and evaluate practitioner inquiry in an early childhood setting with reference to relevant theory, literature and policy documents
  • LO7. Demonstrate a depth of knowledge about a selected aspect of early childhood practice through practitioner inquiry

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
2.4. Teaching methods and strategies
3.1. Early Years Learning Framework
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
6.1. Leadership
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
6.1. Leadership
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.4. Teaching methods and strategies
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
5.2. Contemporary theories and practice
5.3. Ethics and professional practice
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.4. Teaching methods and strategies
6.5. Research
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.5. Research
LO7
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
3.9. Curriculum planning, programming and evaluation
6.5. Research

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

Changes have been made to the structure of the Practitioner Enquiry

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.

Work, health and safety

Please make yourself familiar with the inherent requirements for this course:  https://sydney.edu.au/students/student-responsibilities/inherent-requirements.html

Please make yourself familiar with the professional experience handbook:  through Pebble Pad including information on Working With Children Check, workplace health and safety induction, infectious diseases and pregnancy. 

You may wish to discuss your immunisation status with your doctor prior the professional experience placement, p, articularly when working with infants and toddlers.

Disclaimer

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

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.