Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Early Childhood Education.

Credit Points: 24.00

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2729

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face or Internet

 PGRDFlex25 (FF2)

Course Coordinator: Julie Carmel

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

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

Course Coordinator Location: Please email

Course Coordinator Availability: Pleaes email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course, you will explore and critically examine Indigenous education in Australia. It introduces Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages and examines the ongoing impacts of colonisation on Indigenous communities in Australia. You will investigate the contemporary and historical educational experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by analysing Indigenous education in relation to policy, aspirations, and theoretical frameworks. 

A key component of this course is for you to develop your individual and professional subject positions in relation to Australian educational and social contexts, enabling respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, knowledges and cultures and the informed use of culturally responsive teaching practices in Early Childhood Education contexts. 

This is a designated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course in which you will undertake a 20-day placement in a three-five years old setting. 

You will be required to complete the following before you undertake your WIL placement: 

  1. Working with Children Check (WWCC)
  2. WIL Ready Module (online)
  3. WIL Child Safety Module (online)
  4. WIL Code of Conduct Module (online) 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

This course contributes to the following GD204P25 Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education program learning outcomes:  

PLO1: Critically reflect on and apply pedagogical and assessment approaches that enable belonging, being and becoming in children birth to five years in the early childhood curriculum. 

PLO2: Use an inclusive approach to critically examine historical and modern perspectives in local and global Early Childhood Education, ensuring inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander narratives in practices, policies, and pedagogies. 

PLO5: Articulate professional identity that demonstrates ethical leadership and the ability to advocate for learners by adhering policies, procedures and regulations. 

PLO6: Communicate and collaborate ethically with diverse families, communities, and stakeholders for the benefit of children aged birth to five years. 


Course Learning Outcomes 

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

  1. Apply an inclusive lens to critically interrogate historical and contemporary perspectives concerning local and global Early Childhood Education practices, policies and pedagogies that are inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander narratives.
  2. Critically reflect on and apply effective pedagogical and assessment approaches that enable belonging, being and becoming of children birth to five years in the early childhood curriculum.
  3. Apply, implement and reflect on a range of pedagogical knowledge and skills to support the learning and development of all children aged birth to five years old.
  4. Examine the role of play in a holistic early childhood curriculum with an emphasis on science, technologies, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) and sustainable futures. 


Overview of Learning Activities

The range of learning activities may vary in accordance with the learning mode that you are in. In general, you are required to engage and contribute to the following activities: 

  • discussion board 
  • analysis/critique of relevant reading material
  • class presentations
  • lectures
  • self-reflected practice
  • peer/group learning and discussion
  • case study analysis 
  • guest lecture/presentation
  • research and inquiry into your practice
  • All the above may be adapted for online learning
  • practical placement (WIL)
  • Field experience 

This is a designated WIL course in which you will undertake a 20-day placement in a three-five years old setting. Victorian based placements will be arranged by RMIT University.   

Before Placement – mandated requirements 

You will be required to complete the following before you undertake placement: 

  1. Working with Children Check (WWCC)
  2. WIL Ready Module (online)
  3. WIL Child Safety Module (online)
  4. WIL Code of Conduct Module (online) 

Placement delivery and/or assessment 

  1. Other requirements may include - evidence of immunisations, visas, police checks,
  2. Proper documentation of signed WIL acceptance agreements, schedules and relevant insurance documentation before commencement of the WIL activity
  3. A description of 20 days WIL placement learning structure at an approved early childhood setting
  4. Evidence of successful completion of 20 days placement schedule
  5. Mentor’s report with evidence of successful fulfilment of meeting the expectations of the WIL requirements
  6. Completed ‘reflective WIL task’
  7. Your WIL placement will be assessed by a designated workplace mentor and RMIT academic staff. 

RMIT recognises and values inclusivity, health, safety and wellbeing and cultural safety for all students on campus and on WIL placements. You may contact your WIL course coordinator if you have any concerns before or while on placement.  If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability, you can contact the program manager or Equitable Learning Services to negotiate adjustments during the WIL placement.  


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services and resources available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT student website. 


Overview of Assessment

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

Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Truth Telling Micro-Cred and Reflective Paper  

Weighting 50%  

This assessment task supports CLO1, CLO2 

Assessment Task 2: Placement Task – Implementing on Country Learning  

Weighting 50%  

This assessment task supports CLO3, CLO4 

 

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 Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.