Unit rationale, description and aim

Pre-service teachers need to develop their skills and knowledge for teaching in practical teaching contexts which are authentic and professionally supportive environments. Professional experience supports the nexus between theory and practice for developing teachers. 

This professional experience unit comprises a minimum of 20 days placement and supervised teaching in a school context. It is complementary to the work in other units and enables pre-service teachers to apply the theory, skills, techniques, and processes presented and learned in Education Studies and Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment studies. As an employment-based course, professional experience units enable participants to synthesise and situate critical bodies of knowledge of teaching in a genuine context that will enable them to practice and provide evidence of their progression towards the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST.) 

This professional experience unit orientates pre-service teachers to the school community, policies and procedures and current educational trends. Through this unit, pre-service teachers engage in professional learning experiences that provide opportunities for the development of knowledge and skills, deeper cultural awareness, and professional identity. This unit enables pre-service teachers to employ a range of teaching approaches which cater for different learning needs and fosters both independent and collaborative learning. Opportunities are provided to develop and demonstrate effective classroom management which will ensure a safe and effective learning environment. Pre-service teachers will develop their understanding of codes of ethics and conduct and will be required to complete online modules in legal and professional requirements, including Duty of Care, Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting.

The aim of the unit is for pre-service teachers to develop their pedagogical and professional knowledge for teaching. 

2025 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit

Prerequisites

Nil

Incompatible

EDFX532 Graduate Professional Practice 2

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Comprehensively explain the complexities of the te...

Learning Outcome 01

Comprehensively explain the complexities of the teacher’s role and the implications for practice, including: Professional Standards; policies and processes; codes of ethics and conduct; legal and professional responsibilities; policies and strategies for building safe and supportive environments for working with children and young people; and the broader contexts of schooling
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8, GC9

Apply a range of effective verbal and non-verbal c...

Learning Outcome 02

Apply a range of effective verbal and non-verbal communication and interpersonal skills and strategies to support learner engagement
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC12

Apply knowledge of content, curriculum, pedagogy, ...

Learning Outcome 03

Apply knowledge of content, curriculum, pedagogy, learning and assessment to plan, implement and evaluate a range of teaching, assessment and feedback strategies, and use of broad range of resources (including safe and ethical use of ICT) in order to engage diverse learners in both major and minor teaching areas
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC8, GC10

Critically analyse, synthesise and develop a range...

Learning Outcome 04

Critically analyse, synthesise and develop a range of classroom management strategies and apply in extended lesson sequences
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC8

Utilise self-evaluation critiques and reflection i...

Learning Outcome 05

Utilise self-evaluation critiques and reflection in addition to the acceptance of feedback from others to refine and improve professional practice
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8

Content

Topics include: 

  • The complexities of the teacher’s role and the implications for practice, including: Australian Professional Standards for Teachers; organisational policies and processes; principles and codes of ethics and conduct; legal and professional responsibilities including Duty of Care, Child Protection and Mandatory reporting, anaphylaxis training, etc. 
  • Building safe and supportive environments for working with children and young people 
  • Current teaching and learning theories for effective classroom interactions 
  • Development of effective resources, teaching strategies and learning activities, including lesson planning and preparation, which cater for different learning needs and contexts 
  • Implementation of appropriate assessment techniques/processes and feedback and reporting procedures for effective learning 
  • Effective communication and classroom management skills appropriate for creating and maintaining positive, safe and challenging learning environments 
  • Strategies to foster reflective and self-auditing practices to improve learning and teaching 

Assessment strategy and rationale

The unit is designed, within the context of the course as a whole, so that the pre-service teacher can progressively achieve the course learning outcomes and work towards the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate level) in an in-situ, practical context. 

The assessment tasks ensure that the pre-service teacher has met the minimum requirements for entry into a school context and achieving the sub-set of standards identified for this unit. 

Pre-service teachers, the University and schools collaborate in co-ordinating the school-based experiences of the pre-service teachers as they develop further their appreciation and understanding of the role of teacher. The report completed at the end of this unit covers the following themes: 

  • Professionalism – in conduct, in the execution of teaching and learning and in relationships with all parties 
  • Detailed, clearly expressed, thoroughly prepared and well-presented lessons 
  • Organisation and implementation of a range of learning activities and assessment strategies 
  • Diversity of teaching approaches 
  • Development of knowledge, skills and effective classroom strategies, including ICT, to promote engaging learning environments 
  • Engagement in a range of activities around the teacher’s role, including assisting the class teacher, structured observation and critical reflection, as appropriate to the setting. 


The University will award the final grade based on reports from relevant school personnel. Consistent with University regulations, pre-service teachers who fail this unit may be asked to ‘show cause’, and this may in turn lead to termination from the course. 

Overview of assessments

Hurdle Requirement: Online preparation modules&nb...

Hurdle Requirement: Online preparation modules 

Prior to commencing the Professional Experience placement, pre-service teachers must complete a series of compulsory online preparation modules, attaining a score of 95% or above in each module. 

The modules cover: 

  • Professional Standards; 
  • Professional expectations and codes of conduct; 
  • Workplace Health & Safety;
  • Legal requirements, including Duty of Care, Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting. 
  • Professional relationships. 

Prior to commencing the Professional Experience placement, pre-service teachers must also complete and provide evidence of the following: 

  • Working with Children Check or a Police Check where this is appropriate or mandated. 
  • Mandatory requirements as specified by the pre-service teacher’s state/territory.


Notes:

  • Completion of these modules does not exempt pre-service teachers from seeking a Working with Children Check or a Police Check where this is appropriate or mandated.
  • Anticipated completion time: 7 hours
  • Multiple attempts at this hurdle task are permitted.
Weighting

Hurdle requirement: a Pass grade only will be awarded. 

Pre-service teachers will not commence the Professional Experience placement until all modules have been passed and all legal requirements have been met. 

Learning Outcomes LO1
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8, GC9
Standards APST(GA)4.4, APST(GA)4.5, APST(GA)6.1, APST(GA)7.1, APST(GA)7.2

Professional Experience Assessment  Pre-ser...

Professional Experience Assessment 

Pre-service teachers must demonstrate attainment of the relevant Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: Graduate within a secondary school setting. Refer to Professional Experience Handbook and Report.

 

A pass grade for this task will be awarded following:

  • the successful completion of 20 professional experience days and,
  • submission of a satisfactory Professional Experience Assessment Report


Notes:

  • Multiple attempts at this hurdle task are not permitted.
  • Professional Experience is a mandated part of Initial Teacher Education courses. Failing this task will result in a fail grade for the unit overall and pre-service teachers will be required to enrol in a future offering of the unit. 
Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC12
Standards APST(GA)1.1, APST(GA)1.3, APST(GA)1.5, APST(GA)2.1, APST(GA)2.2, APST(GA)2.3, APST(GA)2.6, APST(GA)3.1, APST(GA)3.2, APST(GA)3.3, APST(GA)3.4, APST(GA)3.5, APST(GA)3.6, APST(GA)4.1, APST(GA)4.2, APST(GA)4.3, APST(GA)4.4, APST(GA)4.5, APST(GA)5.1, APST(GA)5.2, APST(GA)5.4, APST(GA)6.1, APST(GA)6.3, APST(GA)7.1, APST(GA)7.2

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit applies a situated, practical approach to develop the pre-service teacher’s understanding of effective pedagogies and professional attributes. Relevant preparation for the school context will be provided in either on-campus or on-line modes, but the work/learning of the unit is that of being a teacher in a school, working with actual students, colleagues and parents. 

Refer to Professional Experience Handbook for detailed guidelines regarding teaching and other requirements. 

Pre-service teachers in this phase of the Professional and Community Experience undertake a minimum of 20 days under agreed supervision arrangements. This experience will involve: 

  • Assisted immersion in school and class contexts to begin to experience aspects of the secondary school teacher’s role and responsibilities 
  • Participation and engagement, as a community of learners with peers, supervising teachers and university staff, in observation opportunities, team and small group teaching, and whole class teaching, observations and analysis of high-quality teaching episodes in both the major and the minor teaching areas. 
  • Observation and analysis of high-quality teaching episodes in both the major and the minor teaching areas.

 A variety of learning-teaching strategies may be used including: 

  • Attendance at all Professional Experience briefing, and debriefing meetings is a unit requirement 
  • Online delivery of content and online quizzes 
  • Seminars, tutorials, or workshops, which include pre-service teacher-led discussions and group work, provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to reflect on and build on their experiences in the field 
  • Information and communication technologies may be utilised to facilitate an understanding of an educational community of practice. 

Professional Experience: Teaching Requirements 

Through school-based experiences, pre-service teachers will examine the nexus between theory and practice as they analyse and reflect upon current practices, develop communication, planning and teaching skills and relate their experiences to the theoretical foundations introduced through lectures and tutorials at university. In partnership with the teachers and school communities, they will practice and develop the content and skills explicitly addressed in other units. 

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level

In connection to the learning outcomes, on successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should have developed the following industry specific knowledge based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers - Graduate Level standards:

  • Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4

  • Relating toOrganise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4

  • Relating toUse curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toImplement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toSet learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toPlan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toInclude a range of teaching strategies.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2

  • Relating toDemonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching programs to improve student learning.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO5

  • Relating toIdentify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO4

  • Relating toDemonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO4

  • Relating toDemonstrate knowledge of practical approaches to manage challenging behaviour.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4

  • Relating toDescribe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4

  • Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

  • Relating toDemonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate the capacity to interpret student assessment data to evaluate student learning and modify teaching practice.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3

  • Relating toDemonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

  • Relating toSeek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO5

  • Relating toUnderstand and apply the key principles described in codes of ethics and conduct for the teaching profession.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

  • Relating toUnderstand the relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes required for teachers according to school stage.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Australian Children’s Commissioners and Guardians (2013). http://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au/about-us/australian-childrens-commissioners-and-child-guardians/ 

Berns, R. (2016). Child, family, school, community: Socialization and support (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. 

Ewing, R., Kervin, L., Glass, C., Gobby, B., Le Cornu, R., et al. (2020). Teaching: dilemmas, challenges and opportunities (6th ed.). Cengage Learning Australia.

Marsh, C.J., Clarke, M., & Pittaway, S. (2014). Marsh’s becoming a teacher (6th ed.). Pearson. 

Groundwater-Smith, S., Brennan, M., McFadden, M., Mitchell, J., & Munns, G. (2009). Secondary schooling in a changing world (2nd ed.). Cengage. 

Henniger, M. L., & Rose-Duckworth, R. (2009). The teaching experience: An introduction to reflective practice (3rd ed.). Pearson Custom Publishing. 

Joyce, B., Weil, M., & Calhoun, E. (2015). Models of teaching (9th ed.). Pearson. 

Killen, R. (2016). Effective teaching strategies: Lessons from research and practice (7th ed.). Cengage Learning Australia. 

Lyons, G., Ford, M., & Slee, J. (2014). Classroom management: Creating positive learning environments (4th ed.). Cengage Learning. 

Pollard, A., & Black-Hawkins, K. (2019). Reflective teaching in schools (5th ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. 

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