Skip to main content
Unit of study_

EDUF3028: Mentoring in Educational Contexts

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Mentoring is a complex activity which juxtaposes support and challenge in both transitional situations and in on-going learning of both the mentee and the mentor. In schools, mentoring is a critical attribute of professional teaching practice. It is integral to leading the provision of quality classroom teaching and learning through the essential support for ongoing professional learning of preservice, beginning and more experienced teachers. Students who have a specialisation in a particular learning area of strategic importance, for example primary mathematics or science, will be well placed to mentor the ongoing professional learning of their colleagues. This unit of study will examine dispositions and skills necessary for the mentoring of enriched pedagogical practices in schools. Students use a range of sociological theories and constructs and engage in intensive reading of research in order to develop a critical understanding of mentoring as professional practice and to devise a mentor program suitable for implementation in an educational setting related to their area of specialisation. Models of distributed leadership and collaboration play an important part in effective mentoring. For this reason the learning and teaching in this unit of study is facilitated through collaborative teams. These teams promote interdependence between members of the team. They also emphasise individual accountability as each student is required to develop the leadership qualities required to lead their peers toward critically engaging with learning about their practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDUF3028
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
42 credit points of units
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Debra Talbot, debra.talbot@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jia Ying Neoh, jiaying.neoh@sydney.edu.au
Debra Talbot, debra.talbot@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Literature review- assessment 1
n/a
40% Week 06
Due date: 28 Mar 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 07 Apr 2022
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Mentoring program project- assessment 2
n/a
60% Week 12
Due date: 16 May 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 26 May 2022
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Literature review- assessment 1: Students will work in collaborative teams to discuss aspects of the Literature review. The literature to be reviewed will focus on critically analysing the nature and purpose of various forms of mentoring. At least 6 academic articles must be reviewed. A maximum of 4 articles may be used from the unit readings and reference list.
  • Mentoring program project- assessment 2: Every student will work in a collaborative team (approximately 3-4 members). Each team will work to develop a program designed to develop the mentoring practices of future colleagues. Each team will submit one assignment to which all members have contributed and to which is attached a statement of each member's contribution, signed by all members. Time will be allocated within seminars for teams to work together under the guidance of the seminar leader.

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 Common conceptions of mentoring Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 02 Theories of mentoring Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Models of mentoring Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 A pedagogical toolkit for mentoring Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Designing professional learning Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 The importance of context Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Leadership, collaboration, and cooperation. NB: A time will be scheduled to make up the seminar missed due to Good Friday public holiday. Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Reflection and reflexivity Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Wrapping up and sharing Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4

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

A reading list will be provided 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. identify and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and support the learning of others through effective mentoring as relevant to particular contexts including curriculum specialisations
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the development and implementation of mentoring programmes in educational and other settings
  • LO3. utilise research literature to develop contextually appropriate mentor activities and relationships
  • LO4. understand, explain and practise the ethical dimensions of mentoring
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of a range of sociological perspectives and constructs and describe and analyse mentoring within these different perspectives
  • LO6. demonstrate your ability to share leadership of a collaborative team to produce a literature review and a mentor programme.

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 Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
6.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
7.4.1. (Graduate) Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice.
LO2
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
6.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
6.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
LO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
6.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
6.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
LO4
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
7.1.1. (Graduate) Understand and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession.
LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
6.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.2.1. (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
6.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
LO6
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
6.3.1. (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.2.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
6.1.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.2.1 A (Graduate) Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.
6.3.1 A (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
6.4.1 A (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and the implications for improved student learning.
7.1.1 A (Graduate) Understand and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession.

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

No changes

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.