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Foundations of Professional Learning unit (EAL102)

Introduction

This unit introduces students to a range of frameworks and accreditation standards for trainers and teachers in applied learning settings. It equips students with the fundamental tools required to maximize learning in range of educational environments. The concepts of collegial constructive criticism and mentoring will be integral to this unit, and students will gain valuable knowledge in these critical processes through an analysis of their own professional strengths. This unit will also introduce students to ePortfolios, and enable them to develop the skills required to create a professional artifact, aligned with their particular context or guiding framework. Skills in this unit will equip students for ongoing professional development and learning as they progress in their course and career.

Summary

Unit name Foundations of Professional Learning
Unit code EAL102
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Faculty of Education
Discipline Education
Coordinator Mr Timothy Atkins
Available as an elective? No
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Introductory

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

  • reflect on personal and professional capabilities and constructive feedback, and identify and justify resources for professional learning.
  • apply professional teaching standards to define and analyse pedagogy.
  • apply ePortfolio and other digital tools to portray rich evidence of teaching practice aligned with professional standards
  • apply ethical and academic integrity principles to the use of information in order to manage and communicate ideas, complex concepts, and specialised knowledge to an intended audience.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

You are expected to dedicate around ten hours per week to this unit. This may be divided as follows: Weekly Lecture 
(1 hour); Weekly Readings (3 hours); Weekly Tutorial (1 hour); Weekly Discussion Boards (1 hour); Assessment preparation (4 
hours).
It cannot be emphasised enough that your progress in this unit depends on your engagement with weekly online 
tutorials and discussion boards

AssessmentAssessment Task 1: Teacher Education Information Literacy Quiz (5%)|Assessment Task 2: Professional Standards Reflection (45%)|Assessment Task 3: Peer Moderated ePortfolio: Professional Capabilities Alignment (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Kemmis, R.B., & Atkins, L. (Eds.). (2014). Teaching in the VET sector in Australia. David Barlow Publishing.

Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can also access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO. 

Recommended

Adoniou, M., & Gallagher, M. (2017). Professional standards for teachers – what are they good for? Oxford Review of Education, 43(1), 109-126.
Brookfield, S. D. (1995). Becoming a critically reflective teacher. Jossey Bass.
Brookfield, S. D. (2015). The skillful teacher: On technique, trust and responsiveness in the classroom. Jossey-Bass. (Available as an eBook from the UTAS library).
Çimer, S. O. (2011). The effect of portfolios on students' learning: Student teachers' views. European Journal of Teacher Education, 34(2), 161-176.
Costantino, P. M., & De Lorenzo, M. D. (2009). Developing a professional teaching portfolio: A guide for success (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Lynn, S. K. (2002). The winding path: Understanding the career cycle of teachers. The Clearing House, 75(4), 179-182.
Mulcahy, D. (2003). Teaching standards and professionalism in TAFE: Prospects, possibilities and pitfalls. Paper presented at The 6th AVETRA Annual Conference: The changing face of VET, Sydney. Available from http://www.avetra.org.au/Conference_Archives/2003/abstracts.shtml
Rocco, S. (2010). Making reflection public: Using interactive online discussion board to enhance student learning. Reflective Practice, 11(3), 307-317.
Sachs, J. (2003). Teacher Professional Standards: Controlling or developing teaching? Teachers and Teaching, 9(2), 175-186.

Shepherd, M. (2006). Using a learning journal to improve professional practice: A journey of personal and professional self-discovery. Reflective Practice, 7(3), 333-348.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.