EPT318 Communities as Contexts for Professional Practice (16)
CSU Discipline Area: Professional Studies (PROFL)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject takes an ecological approach to exploring the interactions between young children and the environment in which they live. It includes a professional experience component, in which students undertake a community project. Students will consider the role and potential of the early childhood educator in working collaboratively with children, families, colleagues, other professionals and the wider community in order to build a community of learners. The purpose of the professional experience is for students to consolidate and put into practice the advance knowledge and skills developed through the completion of previous subject, and to reflect on and evaluate their professional practice.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Term 1 | |
|---|---|
| Internal | Canada | Term 3 |
| Internal | Canada |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EPT318
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Enrolment restrictions:
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies or as approved by the Course Coordinator.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- analyze and understand the relationship between the experiences of young children and their homes, early childhood services and the area in which they live, and use this to design and implement an appropriate curriculum when on professional experience;
- gather, review, evaluate and interpret information in order to develop and carry out a small focused community project;
- articulate some of the implications of government funding of children's services for the experiences of children, their families and caregivers;
- extend and refine their skills as early childhood educators utilizing knowledge gained through university subjects, and critical reflection on their own teaching and learning;
- develop and articulate a personal philosophy of early childhood education;
- practise and critically reflect on the roles and responsibilities of the early childhood educator/professional in the context of a particular community;
- develop professional networks and build professional relationships inside and outside the early childhood field;
- exercise initiative, personal responsibility and accountability during professional experience;
- communicate effectively with children, families, colleagues and the broader community orally and in writing; and
- use the AECEO Code of Ethics to guide their behaviour when working with children, families and colleagues.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- Bronfenbrenner's human ecology model - social change - government policies and children's services funding - children in the context of their families - the character of local communities - building professional relationships in local communities - communities of learners and communities of practice - designing a community project - reflective practitioners - building a strategic approach to learning and teaching - developing a personal philosophy of early childhood education - beginning to develop a Professional E-Portfolio, drawing on the skills and approaches introduced in EMT 302 Understanding and Using New Technologies.
Workplace Learning
This subject contains a Workplace Learning component. Please contact the subject coordinator for further information.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.