TCHR3001: Early Childhood Matters

Aim

This assessment requires students to critically analyse diverse perspectives that align with a contemporary issue in early childhood education and care, as presented in authoritative literature, and develop a well- supported argument for their own position on the issue.

Rationale

This assessment builds on assessment 1 and continues to extend students’ analytical and reflective skills. The task fosters  critical thinking through the examination of sector issues and the development of evidence-based arguments. By engaging with diverse perspectives and constructing well-supported arguments, students develop the professional expertise needed  to navigate the challenges and opportunities within the early childhood field, which, in turn, directly prepares them for roles requiring thoughtful decision-making, policy analysis, and leadership in early childhood settings.

Task Description

This task entails two parts.

Part One:

•     Select a contemporary issue relevant to early childhood education and care from the options discussed in Modules 4-6.

Examples of some areas/issues could include, but are not limited by

o  Children’s images in social media

o  Immpact of an environment on children’s learning and development

o  Limited access to resources/funding to meet a child’s additional needs

o  Reconciliation in EC settings

o  Children’s use of technology in EC settings.

•     Research at least five authoritative sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journals, reputable  reports, books) presenting diverse perspectives on the chosen issue. The unit readings will also help.

•     Based on your research, analyse one dominant position on this issue by identifying its strengths and underlying assumptions to justify your position.

•    Your analysis should demonstrate your understanding of the broader landscape of perspectives surrounding the issue.

Part Two: Outline an opposing or alternative perspective on the chosen issue. Using current and relevant scholarly literature, justify your own position in relation to both the dominant perspective you analysed in Part One and this opposing/alternative view. Finally, reflect on the relevance of your chosen position to your practice as a teacher/educator working in the Australian early years sector. How might this position inform. your approach to teaching and learning?

Task Instructions

1.   Choose an issue: Select one contemporary issue in early childhood education and care from the topics covered in Modules 4-6.

2.   Research: Find at least five authoritative sources (like peer-reviewed journals, reputable reports, or books) that offer different perspectives on your chosen issue.

3.   Analyse a  leading position: This might be a commonsense way of thinking with little critical thought. Based on your research, critically analyse the existing literature on your chosen issue, summarizing and synthesizing the different perspectives presented  in your selected sources. Identify common themes, points of disagreement, and underlying assumptions. If you prefer, a table or other visual aid could be helpful in comparing and contrasting different ideas.

4.   Explore an opposing view that adopts critical thinking. Develop a well-supported argument for a contrasting position, drawing on evidence from the literature and engaging directly with the perspectives you analysed.

5.   Justify your stance:  Use your  research to explain and support your own view on the issue, comparing it to both the dominant position and addressing opposing opinions, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the issue's complexities.

6.   Reflect on personal relevance: Explain how your viewpoint would affect your work as an early childhood teacher in Australia. How would it shape your teaching?

Please note:

•     This task can be written in first person (“I” statements) or third person, however you need to be consistent over the task in the tense and person you use for each section.

•    All areas of your responses to this task need to be supported by relevant and current scholarly literature. This means you need to cite relevant and established literature that supports what you are saying throughout your writing.

Formatting and style.

•     APA 7th formatting is required for this task.

•     Include the cover page provided in your assessment task folder at the start of your submission.

•     Include one reference on a new page at the end of your task.

Referencing

•     APA 7th Referencing style is required to be used for this task.

•     Include one reference list for both responses on a new page at the end of task. Place the title References in bold in the centre at the top of this page.

•    At a minimum, your sources for this task will include the EYLF (AGDE, 2022), the NQS (ACECQA, 2023), a range of unit literature, and broader current scholarly literature.

•     Broader literature may include textbooks, peer reviewed articles, and published newspaper and/or media articles by reputable sources (for example, the ABC, The Conversation, Early Childhood Australia)

•    You need to include at least 10 current scholarly references in your response to this task per the rubric outline.

Resources

•Academic Integrity -https://www.scu.edu.au/about/leadership/executive/academic-portfolio-office-apo/academic-integrity-framework/

•SCU Student Learning Zone -https://www.scu.edu.au/current-students/learning-zone/

•The Early Years Learning Framework -https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf

•National Quality Standard -https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-quality-standard

•Guide to the National Quality Framework (including the National Quality Standards) - https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/about/guide

Referencing Style Resource:

Please refer to the APA 7th  Referencing Guide for this task -https://libguides.scu.edu.au/apa

Writing and Analysing Resources:

•     How  to   Incorporate   Evidence   into  Your  Writing  - https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/current-students/learning-zone/quick-guides/how_to_incorporate_evidence_into_your_writing.pdf

•    Summarising and  Paraphrasing     -     https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/current-students/learning-zone/quick-guides/summarising_and_paraphrasing.pdf

•    Writing    Paragraphs    (PEEL   method)    -    https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/current- students/learning-zone/quick-guides/writing_paragraphs.pdf

•     Planning    and    Writing     Body     Paragraphs     (using     the    PEEL     method)     -

https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/current-students/learning-zone/quick-  guides/planning_and_writing_body_paragraphs.pdf

Task Submission

•     Submission  of  your  assessment  is  via  Turnitin.  The  submission  link  can  be  found  in  the Assessment Tasks and Submission Tab in the TCHR3001 Blackboard site, in the Assessment 2 folder.

Please note:

•      It is your responsibility to ensure that you have submitted the correct file and the final version of your assessment for marking before the due date/time.

•     When you have submitted your assignment to Turnitin it is essential you download the Digital Receipt.

•      If you have any difficulty submitting your assignment, please contact Technology Services and  make  sure that you  log a job with them,  so you  have evidence of your attempted submission. To avoid any last-minute problems, make sure you submit well before 11:59pm on the due date.

•      Label the Word file with your surname and the assessment number, e.g., Simpson_A1.docx

•     You are strongly advised to undertake your own similarity check via Turnitin, prior to the due date, to identify and resolve any academic integrity issues prior to submitting - see SCU Academic Integrity and Turnitin.You can submit up to three times and receive the similarity match report immediately – after three attempts, you will need to wait 24 hours.

•      If Turnitin does not generate an automatic email receipt. If you have successfully uploaded your assessment, a green bar will appear at the top of the screen that says: Submission uploaded successfully: Download digital receipt. Use the hyperlink to download your digital receipt and store this with your assignment file.