Unit rationale, description and aim
This school-based professional experience is undertaken in the final year of the course and facilitates the induction of pre-service teachers into the profession. This practicum focuses on the identification of the professional role of the teacher as one of reflector, thinker, learner, and investigator within a particular classroom context and as an integral member of a school community. The unit allows principals, school coordinators, supervising teachers and pre-service teachers to work collaboratively with the University to assess, challenge, develop and extend the abilities of pre-service teachers. It also provides opportunities for school-based study and the development of closer links between theoretical considerations and the teaching and learning experiences encountered in schools.
This unit aims to provide pre-service teachers with a substantial block of extended reflective professional experience that more closely approximates the realities of everyday teaching and extends the pre-service teachers’ repertoire of pedagogical skills including the use of ICTs to support teaching and learning, and develop the pre-service teacher’s appreciation of the teacher’s role within the school and broader educational community. Pre-service teachers will be required to plan, implement, assess and report using appropriate teaching and learning programs, informed by content, knowledge and appropriate student data.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Demonstrate achievement of the professional standa...
Learning Outcome 01
Synthesise teaching and learning theory with curre...
Learning Outcome 02
Make effective decisions regarding classroom teach...
Learning Outcome 03
Develop and utilise self-evaluation critiques and ...
Learning Outcome 04
Implement and critically reflect on a variety of c...
Learning Outcome 05
Demonstrate a sound knowledge of and ability to pl...
Learning Outcome 06
Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively ...
Learning Outcome 07
Content
Topics will include:
- Current teaching and learning theories in the primary classroom
- Establishing an engaging learning environment
- Curriculum and work programs
- Managing relationships within the school community
- Classroom management approaches
- The place of reflection in developing effective classroom practice
- Expectations and the teacher’s role as an integral member of the school and wider educational community
- Australian legal and social context: legal principles and legislative provisions, mandatory reporting, resources
- School, parents and community.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A pass or fail grade will be awarded for the professional experience completed for this unit. The University will award the final grade based on two pieces of assessment evidence collated about the student’s attainment of the Australian Professional Standards of Teachers: Graduate. As described in the table below, this evidence is: i) the final report of Professional Experience Assessment; and ii) the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA). Students must meet the graduate level requirements for both tasks/pieces of evidence to pass this unit.
Pre-service teachers who fail this unit will be asked to ‘show cause’ and will be terminated from enrolment in their course if the unit is failed twice.
Overview of assessments
The summative Professional Experience is assessed...
The summative Professional Experience is assessed in consultation with a supervising teacher and a university academic over the placement. The pre-service teacher must demonstrate attainment of the Australian Professional Standards of Teachers: Graduate within the context of classroom/school setting practices. Refer to the Unit Professional Experience Guidebook for interim and final reports.
50%
Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA) L...
Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA)
Learning outcomes for this unit will also be demonstrated by completion of the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA). The GTPA asks pre-service teachers to critically reflect on a teaching, learning and assessment cycle and its impact on student learning. It must be accompanied by documentary evidence of the teaching, learning and assessment cycle and of student learning.
The GTPA is a common, culminating assessment used across multiple ITE programs and providers. Information about the specific requirements of the GTPA is detailed in the guideline materials supplied each semester via the Canvas site.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
- Pre-service teachers in this final year of the Professional Experience Program undertake at least 6/8 weeks of extended professional experience
- Seminars, tutorials, or workshops, which include pre-service teacher-led discussions and group work, provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to reflect on and build on their experiences in the field
- Use of the information and communication technologies, including online discussion, will be utilised to facilitate the formation of a network of pre-service teachers who remain connected to each other, with their University representatives/mentors, and the PEC Office while participating in their professional experiences.
AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS - GRADUATE LEVEL
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:
ACECQA CRITERIA
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following specific knowledge: