EDPROFST 702 : Challenges of Literacy Difficulties

Education and Social Work

2022 Semester Two (1225) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Teachers will critically examine and evaluate research and practice in literacy education, including specific intervention strategies and resources. This will include an examination of the social, cultural, economic, psychological and physiological factors that influence literacy development, including approaches to support and overcome literacy difficulties experienced by diverse learners, including Māori and Pasifika children.

Course Overview

Do you want to stretch your understanding of children's learning and the interaction of children's learning and teaching practices with children and young people who experience significant literacy difficulties?

This course offers participants a blend of online study and face-to-face learning at the Epsom Campus where you will explore current issues and approaches to literacy difficulties.

This will involve critical evaluating personal theories of learning, content knowledge and ready-made programmes, culminating in a self-designed literacy leadership initiative.

The course is designed for teachers and leaders from early childhood through secondary, who want to develop specialised knowledge of literacy learning and teaching to enhance their own teaching and to be a more knowledgeable influencer of colleagues.

Course Requirements

Restriction: EDCURRIC 365, 366

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Review and critique theories and models of literacy processes. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 6.1)
  2. Evaluate research on literacy education with a particular emphasis on students with literacy difficulties. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1)
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of a range of instructional approaches for reading and writing development to support students with literacy difficulties. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 5.1 and 6.1)
  4. Examine and critique explanations of causes of literacy difficulties. (Capability 1.1, 2.3, 3.2, 4.1, 5.2 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment #1 10% Individual Coursework
Assignment #2 30% Individual Coursework
Assignment #3 50% Individual Coursework
Assignment #4 10% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignment #1
Assignment #2
Assignment #3
Assignment #4
Assessment Overview
There are four assessment requirements for the course that must be completed to the satisfaction of the examiner relative to the corresponding assessment rubric. Students must complete all components of Assessment Tasks 1, 2, 3 and 4 to achieve an overall pass on this course. Students must achieve at least 50% for the course and hand in all components of the assignments.

Assessment Length
You will not be penalised for assignments that are up to 10% over the maximum length. However, the University's policy is that work that is more than 10% over expected length will not be marked. The Reference List is not included in the word limit.

Academic Writing
Please note that a cogent and succinct style facilitates communication in academic writing. Complete and accurate citations and references congruent with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA, 7th ed.) is expected.

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30-point course delivered in a Block/Flexi format. Students are expected to spend 20 hours per week
involved in each 30-point course in which they are enrolled.

For this course, you can expect 15 hours of lectures in the Block portion with the option of participating in one-hour, online discussions at day/time agreed upon by participants. Participation in the Block course as well as engagement with course activities, online discussions and readings supports academic success and are a course requirement.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is required for the Block Course (Wednesday 20 July, 1 pm - 4 pm; Thursday 21 July, 9 am - 4 pm; Friday 22 July, 9 am - 4 pm) to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings at the end of each day.

You will also have the option of participating in four 2-hour workshops from 4:30-6:30 pm (1 August, 22 August, 12 September, 17 October). Recordings of the workshops will also be available following the sessions.

Online

Attendance is required for the Block Course to complete components of the course.
You will also have the option of participating in four 2-hour workshops. Recordings of the workshops will also be available following the sessions.

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable, and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

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.

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.

Other Information

The Block Course and Workshops will be offered in a Virtual Format. You have the choice of participating in person or online, based on your preference. Recordings of the workshops and components of the Block Course will be uploaded to the Canvas site.

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.

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

I have experience teaching a wide range of students in tertiary education and am eager to create workarounds that support all students' competencies and successful outcomes.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 12/10/2021 10:48 a.m.