EDCURRIC 118 : Young Children and Early Learning Environments

Education and Social Work

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores links between social, material, and natural learning environments and curriculum provision in early childhood education. Introduces principles and theoretical perspectives of early childhood assessment aimed at empowering children as competent and confident. Considers pedagogical implications of assessment for children’s curriculum experiences within early learning environments.

Course Overview

This course explores children's learning environments in relation to their play, teachers' assessment and planning, practices and digital technology in the context of early childhood education. The importance of reciprocal and responsive relationships with people, places and things highlighted in Te Whāriki form a thread that connects the course content.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop an understanding of the links between teaching and learning environments, children’s curriculum experiences, and assessment. (Capability 1.2 and 4.2)
  2. Articulate an understanding of relevant theoretical perspectives and principles of early childhood assessment. (Capability 1.1, 2.2 and 4.1)
  3. Examine the role of pedagogical decision-making and practices in relation to children’s curriculum experiences. (Capability 1.1, 2.2 and 4.2)
  4. Develop knowledge of how current digital literacies/technologies can support decision-making within early learning environments. (Capability 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 50% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignment
Final Exam

To pass this course students must submit all assessment tasks and get an overall course mark of at least 50%.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. Each week of classes you will have a lecture and tutorial.

For this course then, you can also expect to commit to approximately 120 hours to independent learning. This may include reading (and more reading), note-taking, face-to-face and/or online discussion, writing, engaging in collaborative group work, problem solving, undertaking practical tasks, reflecting on learning, accessing learning and study resources, and assignment, test and exam preparation and completion.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures may be available as audio recordings. Other learning activities will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events. Attendance on campus is required for the exam.

Learning Resources

Ministry of Education. (2017). Te Whāriki. He whāriki matauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early Childhood Curriculum. New Zealand Government. https://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Early-Childhood/Te-Whariki-Early-Childhood-Curriculum-ENG-Web.pdf 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students were positive about the course content and teaching in 2020. Some minor adjustments to assessments and course readings will be made for 2021.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 26/11/2020 08:02 a.m.