Postgraduate - UnitEDF5911 - Early childhood curriculum and design

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Synopsis

This unit provides early childhood professionals with opportunities to explore the field of curriculum. The early childhood sector is entering a historical phase in Australia that has produced new demands for professionals to engage with the educational structures and practices that guide and direct school-based programs. This unit meets these demands by offering early childhood professionals engagements with the discourse of curriculum design and instructional practice. Students undertake a comprehensive analysis of pedagogical, social, cultural and economic dimensions of curriculum theory and practice, including both design and evaluation. They address the key determinants surrounding the selection of content and assessment of children's programmed activities, so as to more competently and professionally develop skills in educational practice warranted by the shifting scope of early childhood care in Australia.
Students learn advanced skills in lesson planning and curriculum delivery, as well as interpretation and assessment of syllabus material for mandated outcomes and policy indices. The unit provides students with opportunities to develop research interests in areas that may be significant for their current professional practice. Such interests include matters related to curriculum planning, assessment and evaluation, and the related instructional and pedagogical practices which are necessary for the future of early childhood education.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will have developed:

• Understand the elements (eg social, cultural, economic) that frame curriculum theories, design and implementation
• Apply curriculum theories and design to programs in diverse settings for children
• Use practitioner research to evaluate, assess and reflect on curriculum effectiveness in their own practice
• Develop and implement lesson plans and curriculum delivery
• Use appropriate curriculum theory to develop pedagogical awareness of their impact on the lives of children and families

Assessment

Assessment 1: Written report - 4000 words or equivalent 50%; and Assessment 2: Curriculum report - 4000 words or equivalent 50%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Corine Rivalland

Contact hours

Equivalent to an average of 24 hours per week including 3 contact hours