The campus-based course work in this unit will develop pre-service teachers’ understandings of outcomes-based education, curriculum frameworks and the teaching cycle as it relates to the early childhood phase of schooling. Pre-service teachers will also engage in a minimum of 27 days of workplace experience in a junior primary classroom. The focus for this block experience will be on developing an understanding of the professional role of the teacher. Aspects related to planning, assessment and evaluation will be emphasized as pre-service teachers engage in the teaching cycle.

This is a Designated Unit, involving a placement in a school/centre where students gain practical experience of school life. The placement provides an essential opportunity to connect theory with practice and develop the knowledge, dispositions, understandings and competencies of a beginning teacher under the guidance of experienced professionals.

All students are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice periods as per the School of Education Calendar which is available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac and to give a full-time commitment to the school/centre during the scheduled days.