Course Title: Current Issues and Contexts in Early Childhood Education

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Current Issues and Contexts in Early Childhood Education

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2492

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 1 2022

Course Coordinator: Julie Carmel

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99257804

Course Coordinator Email: julie.carmel@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course you will examine some of the complex issues that impact on the provision of early childhood services for children and their families. You will utilise and extend your knowledge of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and educational policy. By focusing on recent government reforms, topical initiatives and trends in early childhood education, the course fosters your professional skills and attributes as competent, knowledgeable educational professionals. The social, political and educational context for the development and delivery of services for children birth – eight years is the focus of the course.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Analyse and critically evaluate contemporary issues in early childhood education
  • Critically discuss the changing nature of early childhood care and education in a global context
  • Develop and apply appropriate strategies to advocate on behalf of children and their families
  • Apply knowledge of the regulatory environments and quality improvement initiatives in early childhood education in Australia
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of managing and planning early childhood services.


You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes in this course:

  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on educational policy and practice in both local and international contexts.
  • Develop and apply theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to your professional practice and development in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
  • Apply initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making to enhance your practice and continuing professional development.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and online such as lectures, tutorials, group and class discussion, group activities and individual research.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

The Student Charter www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-education/supporting-learning-and-teaching/student-charter/ summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT University student as well as the responsibilities of the university.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which can be found on the RMIT University website at: www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1