This unit comprises of an on campus component, and the equivalent of a school term of workplace learning in a kindergarten or pre-primary setting.  The unit includes the preparation and implementation of the Assistant Teacher Program.  Pre-service teachers will become familiar with the school environment through full day visits prior to commencing the workplace learning experience. This unit will examine processes of curriculum development and decision making, and planning an integrated, differentiated curriculum that builds on children’s competencies, interests and needs.  Pre-service teachers demonstrate that they are autonomous teachers, able to meet the Professional Competencies for Teachers (Phase 1).  In addition, pre-service teachers refine their professional portfolio in preparation for employment.

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

A Designated Unit is defined in the University Rules: Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules as, “a unit or unit of competency which a Faculty Board has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once”.

University Rule 26 (6) states, “Where a student has failed a Designated Unit, the student shall be excluded from the course unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners, and the student’s academic progression status will be ‘excluded’ ”.

Students should refer to the Professional Practice Rules and Procedures available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac for further information regarding Professional Practice.

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.