ECE761 - Early Childhood Pedagogy, Curricula and Contexts

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Online

This is the final offering of this unit. ECE728 Pedagogical Understandings of Teaching and Learning in the Early Childhood Contexts replaces this unit after this offering.

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Karen Guo
Cohort rule:

Students who commenced in 2020 must be enrolled in course E761 or E764

Prerequisite:

Students must pass 2 units from: EEE754, EEE755, EEE756, EPR761, EPR771 or EPR781

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

In Person Attendance Requirements
Students who are completing professional experience (placements) are not required to attend classes or scheduled synchronous sessions during the placement.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Time engaging in learning activities is expected to total a combined equivalent of 8-10 hours per week.

This includes engagement with materials, responses to tasks, regular forum posting and responding to others, scheduled synchronous online discussions and independent study during non-placement teaching weeks (approx. 6-9 weeks).

It is highly recommended that you attend scheduled synchronous discussions in the unit site throughout the trimester.

Content

In this unit students will critically investigate the influential theories and approaches underpinning early childhood practice in local and global contexts. Students will analyse how philosophy, context and values influence pedagogical practice, while reflecting on their own educational values and developing teacher identity. There will be in-depth exploration of early childhood pedagogy and curricula, including the significance of learning environments and the role of play and inquiry in teaching, learning and child wellbeing.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Analyse and apply to teaching practice, the concepts of leading theorists in the history and philosophy of early childhood education

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Investigate, critique and reflect on a variety of pedagogical approaches and curriculum models in relation to developing their own philosophy and pedagogical practice, and be able to articulate these to peers, lecturers and the profession

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO2: Communication

GLO3: Digital literacy

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO3

Investigate and analyse the impact of learning environments, including outdoor environments, on child learning, development and wellbeing, including consideration of diverse learners

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Construct a professional pedagogical approach, drawing on theory and research evidence, that utilises play and play-based pedagogy to promote children’s learning, development and wellbeing

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking

GLO6: Self-management

ULO5

Using integrated approaches, apply the processes of the Planning Cycle in its various forms, drawing on a range of strategies and resources, including IT where appropriate

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO5: Problem solving

GLO6: Self-management

GLO7: Teamwork

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1 - Critically Reflective Research Essay 2500 words
or equivalent
50% Week 7
Assessment 2 - Critical Reflection and Evaluation of Planning 2500 words
or equivalent
50% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via link ECE761
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.