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Unit of study_

EDMT6632: Early Childhood Leadership

Intensive August, 2022 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students in this unit will learn about leadership and management roles and responsibilities that enable the effective and viable operation of high-quality early childhood programs and services. They will explore conceptualisations of leadership in the context of early childhood education, and articulate a vision and philosophy for quality early learning. How strong leadership and effective management translate into the meeting of a teacher’s regulatory and professional accountabilities will be explored, with particular attention given to Australia’s National Quality Framework.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDMT6632
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
60 credit points including EDMT6643 EC Professional Experience 3-5
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Wendy Lee, wendysaeme.lee@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Wendy Lee, wendysaeme.lee@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation hurdle task Leading your EDMT6632 learning community - Part A
Presentation of a reading that is related to a topic covered in this unit
10% Multiple weeks 5-10 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test hurdle task Case study scenarios
In-class test
40% Week 05 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Leadership in practice
Essay
40% Week 06 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation hurdle task Leading your EDMT6632 learning community - Part B
In-class participation that supports the learning of class members
10% Weekly Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Leading your EDMT6632 learning community: The building of a learning community is something that an effective leader will do in a quality early education service. To develop this aspect of your leadership capacity this assessment task requires you to facilitate your peers' understanding of a topic of your choice (from week 2 - 8) based on the key ideas from the week's readings. For this task you will have 45 minutes to implement engaging activities designed to consolidate and support students' learning and reflection on your selected topic.
  • Leadership in practice: Analyse the leadership practice of the director of your EDMT6634 professional experience early childhood service.
  • Case study scenarios: This assessment task will include approximately 6 short answer questions based on scenarios that relate to the topics covered in this Unit. You will be assessed on your ability to apply material covered in the Unit to each of the scenarios, and your capacity to critically and thoughtfully meet your legal and professional accountabilities. All questions are compulsory. You will have 2.5 hours to complete the task.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 Theorising the leadership and management of ECE services Seminar (3 hr) LO2
Leading for quality I Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week -02 Unit overview Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Social and political influences on ECE in Australia Seminar (3 hr) LO1
Week 01 Leading for quality II Seminar (3 hr) LO2
Leading and managing under different management structures Seminar (3 hr) LO4
Week 02 Strategic, operational and financial planning Seminar (3 hr) LO5
Policy development Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Pedagogical leadership: the role of the educational leader Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7
Leading and working in teams Seminar (3 hr) LO7
Week 04 Centre director case study and Unit review Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Assessment 2 - Case study scenarios Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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

Textbook: Waniganayake, M., Cheeseman, S., Fenech, M. Hadley, F., & Shepherd, W. (2017). Leadership: Contexts and complexities in early childhood (2nd Ed.).  Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Other required readings for this unit can be accessed via the Reading List link in 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. critically engage with the ever changing political and legal context within which early childhood education services operate
  • LO2. demonstrate a sound understanding of theorertical and conceptual approaches to leadership and quality early childhood education
  • LO3. develop a strong working knowledge and a critical appreciation of teachers' legal and professional responsibilities as required by the National Quality Framework, including the role of a service's Nominated Supervisor and Educational Leader
  • LO4. critique diverse early childhood management structures, and the implications of each for teachers’ organisational roles and responsibilities and the provision of quality early childhood education
  • LO5. show an understanding of the responsibilities related to the strategic, operational and financial management of early childhood settings
  • LO6. evaluate service policies in light of teachers' legal and professional accountabilities and the provision of quality early childhood education.
  • LO7. appreciate the skills required to build, work in, and lead effective teams

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
6.1. Leadership
6.4. Advocacy
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.3. Professional identity and development
6.4. Advocacy
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
LO7
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration

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

2021 feedback was positive, in particular, students appreciated the many practical connections to and application of theory.

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.

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