EDF5905 - Early years literacy and numeracy - 2019

This unit explores early literacy and numeracy as core life skills within the context of a broad range of cultural knowledges. The unit investigates a range of modes of communication (multiliteracies) to tease out the knowledge processes of experiencing, conceptualising, analysing and applying knowledge. This includes reference to music, movement, dance, storytelling, visual arts, media and drama, as well as talking, viewing, reading and writing as multiple literacy forms. The unit also covers early numeracy concepts, numbers, mathematical thinking, reasoning, measurement, patterns, spatial awareness, problem solving, collection and analysis of data and how these link to the demands of learning at school, work, home and community. Students understand how to build children's communicative intentions, confidence and capacity. They apply approaches to expand children's literacy and numeracy concepts to enable creative and critical interactions across a range of modes and digital settings.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. develop in-depth understanding of the nature of early literacy and numeracy development in context of everyday life across families and cultures
2. apply discipline knowledge and competency in literacy and numeracy to the education of young children
3. understand teaching of the elements of numeracy and literacy across all curriculum areas including the creative arts
4. use understandings of cross-cultural knowledge of mathematical and literacy development for designing effective pedagogies and programs for literacy and numeracy learning
5. build the capacity to lead literacy and numeracy learning and support children in their efforts to expand standards of literacy and numeracy
6. apply effective literacy and/or numeracy practices in a context of relevance.

1. Analysis and critique of current literature to develop structures and processes for teaching literacy and numeracy (4000 words equivalent, 50%)
2. Select either A or B
   1. Research paper on literacy/numeracy (4000 words equivalent, 50%)
   2. Professional learning (4000 words equivalent, 50%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 288 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for flexible students:
   • 12 contact hours and 24 hours equivalent of online activities over the semester or 36 hours equivalent of online activities over the semester
2. Requirements for offshore Kaplan-based students:
   • one intensive block (usually from Thursday to Sunday)
   • at least 14 hours of online study per term
3. Additional requirements (all students):
   • independent study to meet the minimum required hours per semester

See also Unit timetable information

Early childhood education