Ready to Teach Professional Experience: Practicum 4P
Duration:
1 Teaching Period
Unit Code:
EDU40012
Contact Hours:
Recommended 10 hours of theory study per week plus 20 days of placement
About this unit
In this unit, students undertake a professional practicum in an Australian Primary School under the supervision of a registered teacher mentor. Students involve themselves in the life of the school and reflect on their practice and performance in discussion with their school supervisor and university staff. They will observe a variety of classes at different levels, teach through one-to-one coaching or small group and take responsibility for a full class. Students will be prepared to teach all subjects with professional competence. In preparation for their placement in schools, students engage with material relating to the primary curriculum, assessment, pedagogy and professional relationships and are prepared for the expectations of this ‘Ready to Teach Practicum’.
Swinburne University has now incorporated the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA) into the final year of primary professional experience units. This narrative based assignment will allow you to demonstrate your competence in classroom practice by creating a unit plan, lesson plans, assessing, reflecting and appraising your teaching. Connecting the academic program to your professional experience, the GTPA provides quality assurance of graduate readiness, giving you valuable experience to help you progress into your new career.
Placement
Type: Primary School
Year Level: 5-12 years of age / Foundation to Year 6
Duration: 20 days
Minimum Attendance: 7.5 hours per day excluding breaks
Content
- Australian Professional Standards for Teachers 1–7 (Graduate)
- Code of Ethics
- Engagement in a professional practicum under the guidance of a mentor teacher
- Upper Primary School (Grades 3–6) curriculum policies and documents
- Pedagogy
- Introduction to assessment practices and their relationship to effective learning
- Lesson and unit planning and documentation
- Forming professional relationships
- Self-assessment of teaching performance
- Creating and maintaining a safe and challenging learning environment
- Using a range of teaching practices and resource
- Strategies for supporting students’ well-being and safety, including policy and legislative requirements
- Completing the GTPA Preparation Assessment
- Completing the GTPA Portfolio Assessment
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