Course Title: Early Childhood Comparative Education

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Early Childhood Comparative Education

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2538

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018

Course Coordinator: Josephine Ng

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7861

Course Coordinator Email: josephine.ng@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 220.04.17


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

Comparative education in early childhood involves the examination, analysis and comparison of early childhood educational systems of both the local and global contexts used to educate their residents and citizens. Comparative education in early childhood has become increasingly important to understand and provide insights when contextualizing initiatives like curriculum frameworks, standards and assessment in early childhood systems. A single nation’s educational services cannot be viewed clearly without first understanding the influence of the social, cultural, economic and political factors that have shaped the system. You will analyse political forces; local, national and international, as drivers of educational policy and reform. You will compare and contrast ideas, and ideologies that influence current provisions. Major debates like universal provision, privatisation, and the push-down curriculum will be introduced.
 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

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

  • discuss key issues of comparative education and the relevant literature 
  • critically analyse documents and synthesize relevant literature linking theory of educational policy into practice 
  • plan, contextualize and develop curriculum frameworks, standards and assessment through comparative education in early childhood settings of both local and international contexts. 
  • incorporate suitable ideologies into one educational system in practice


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

  • Develop and apply theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to your professional practice and development in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
  • Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on educational policy and practice in both local and international contexts.
  • Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving problems in diverse educational contexts.
  • Apply initiative and judgment 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 coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

A Student Charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment