EDCURRIC 118 : Early Childhood Curriculum

Education and Social Work

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores the notion of early childhood curriculum in early childhood education including the New Zealand curriculum. Introduces principles and theoretical perspectives of early childhood assessment aimed at empowering children to be competent and confident. Considers pedagogical implications of assessment for children’s curriculum experiences within early learning environments.

Course Overview

This course explores the provision of play-based learning environments typical of licensed early childhood education centres and kindergartens in Aotearoa New Zealand. There is also consideration of other types of early learning settings and services, such as home-based childcare services, community-based play groups, and children’s family homes. The adult’s role in decision-making, particularly teachers’ pedagogical decisions related to their understanding and views of children, play, learning, curriculum, and assessment and planning are highlighted. The use of digital technologies in curriculum experiences and assessment, and planning practices are critically examined. The importance of reciprocal and responsive relationships with people, places, and things, highlighted in the New Zealand early childhood curriculum document, Te Whāriki, forms a thread that connects the course content.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Articulate and discuss the links between teaching and learning environments, children’s curriculum experiences, and assessment and planning (Capability 3.1, 4.2 and 6.1)
  2. Articulate and demonstrate an understanding of relevant theoretical perspectives and principles of early childhood assessment and planning (Capability 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2 and 6.1)
  3. Identify and critically evaluate the role of pedagogical decision-making and practices in relation to children’s curriculum experiences. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.2 and 6.1)
  4. Develop knowledge of, and think critically about, how digital technologies can be used by children and adults in curriculum experiences, assessment, and planning within early learning environments (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.2 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 20% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 40% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Assignment 3

To achieve an overall pass on this course, students must complete all components of the Assessment Tasks, and achieve at least 50% for the course.


Next Offered

Semester 2 2026

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course is offered face-to-face on campus. Lectures and tutorials are workshop style so students can expect a blend of lecturer led content and in-class discussion and participation tasks.

Exam Mode

  • Exam mode A - Remote online non-invigilated exam on Inspera
  • Exam mode B - Remote online invigilation through Inspera Integrity Browser (IIB)
  • Exam mode C - In-person invigilated exam on paper
  • Exam mode D - In-person invigilated exam on computer through Inspera Integrity Browser (IIB)
  • There is no final exam for this course

Further information about exams can be found at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/about-exams.html

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course that requires approximately 150 hours of study. The course consists of 36 hours (over 12 weeks) consisting of a weekly two-hour lecture, and a one-hour tutorial which are delivered in a block. 

The additional 100-120 hours will be spent on non-classroom-based learning such as preparing for class, accessing learning and study resources, reading, note-taking, face-to-face and/or online discussion, writing, engaging in collaborative group work,  undertaking practical tasks, reflecting on learning, and assignment 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 foster students' understanding and completion of assessments.

Lectures will be available as audio recordings. Other learning activities will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events. 

Learning 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.

A Talis reading list for the course will be available for students.

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.

2024 SET information is not currently available for this course. Changes will be made in response to student feedback as appropriate.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 15/11/2024 09:59 a.m.