Postgraduate - Course4222 - Master of Teaching (Early Years)

This course prepares students theoretically and practically to be at the forefront of early childhood education (birth to eight years). Throughout the course students form a broad conceptual understanding of the national and international field of education as they actively engage in theoretical discussions on child development and apply these theories during teaching placements. The course highlights the range of early childhood services and social/cultural contexts of early childhood provision for children aged birth to eight, as well as the need for flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of young children, families and communities. An understanding of the ethics and values of professional practice and curriculum pedagogies prepares graduates of this course to become leaders who influence international and local policy and practice.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate proficiency as teachers who are adaptable to change and able to engage with teaching at the local and international level
• demonstrate cross-cultural competence in working with children, families and communities
• implement ethical practices and values in their engagement with all aspects of their professional practice
• articulate contemporary theories of child development and use them to transform teaching and learning through research-led practices
• apply research skills to a range of challenges in order to develop innovative teaching and learning practices
• design, evaluate and implement research-led curriculum
• demonstrate cross-cultural communication abilities in working with children, families and communities
• lead in their field of practice using a range of technologies for young children's learning
• promote theoretical and practical understandings of legislation, policy, human rights, childhood, diversity and difference
• demonstrate discipline knowledge and competency in literacy and numeracy related to the education of children in the early years.

Students who have studied before may be eligible for credit for prior studiescredit for prior studies (http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/prospective/credit.html).

This course includes the option of an independent research dimension requiring the knowledge and application of research principles and practices applicable to a field of professional work or learning, or a capstone experience comprising professional experience.

Mandatory checks and security clearances

Before participating in a professional placement in any educational setting students must meet specific security clearancessecurity clearances (http://www.education.monash.edu.au/placements/clearances/) that apply to the state or territory where the placement is being undertaken.

Students must complete teaching practice which consists of a minimum of 60 days of satisfactory supervised early childhood setting experience. Students will only be given permission to complete a placement in their place of employment in exceptional circumstances and if they will receive the required level of supervision. Where permission is granted, students will not be permitted to undertake more than 50 per cent of the placement in their place of employment. Students must be available to undertake placements on a full-time basis and attend their placement at times determined by the faculty.

Graduates will be qualified for employment as kindergarten teachers in pre-schools or childcare centres in Victoria. For interstate and overseas positions applicants are advised to check with local authorities.

This course consists of core units, depth study units and professional experience units.

Students must complete:

(a). six core units (72 points):

• EDF5901 Contemporary perspectives in early childhood education
• EDF5902 Birth to eight: Culture of play, learning and pedagogy
• EDF5903 Early years curriculum studies and assessment
• EDF5904 Children, families, communities
• EDF5905 Early years literacy and numeracy
• EDF5907 Contemporary child development theories

(b.) two depth study units (24 points)

(c.) four professional experience units to complete 60 days of early childhood professional experience (0 points):

• EDF5921 Early years professional experience 1
• EDF5922 Early years professional experience 2
• EDF5923 Early years professional experience 3
• EDF5924 Early years professional experience 4

Depth study units

Students select two depth study unitsdepth study units (http://www.education.monash.edu.au/units/depth.html) from a suite of options subject to discussion with the course adviser. Availability of units may vary from year to year.

Depth study units provide opportunities to develop expertise in one of three streams:

(1.) Advanced professional learning: Students select units in an area of interest to advance their professional knowledge in a range of areas including but not limited to literacy studies, educational technologies, music education, mathematics and science education, TESOL, inclusive and special education, and gifted education.

(2.) Professional inquiry: Students engage in a school-based professional inquiry. This stream enables engagement with schools at a professional level, with students working in partnership with a school to investigate an educational issue that is of mutual interest.

(3.) Research*: Students develop their understanding of research and their experience in undertaking a research project that may lead them to doctoral (PhD) studies. Students expand their understanding and appreciation of educational research perspectives, methods and research ethics and conduct a supervised piece of rigorous academic research around a topic of interest which demonstrates capacity for doctoral study.

*Eligibility for the research pathway is not determined at point of entry but can only be completed by invitation.

Refer to the course mapcourse map (http://monash.edu/education/current-students/courses/maps/2014/2014-map-4222-mteach-ey.pdf) for the Master of Teaching (Early Years) for course progression advice.

Master of Teaching (Early Years)