DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Professional Practice 2
Module Code EC210
School 77
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Aishling Silke
Semester 2: Aishling Silke
Autumn: Aishling Silke
Module TeachersMarlene McCormack
Geraldine French
Sinead McNally
Aishling Silke
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 15
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Coursework Only
A resit opportunity is available
Description

Placement 2 (P2) builds on the foundational development of knowledge in ethical practice and professional development gained in Placement 1 (P1). P2 will involve more detailed observation tasks than in P1, in addition to experiences in co-planning and co constructing activities and learning experiences with the co-operating educator. Students will have opportunities to plan and carry out a greater number of learning experiences. The co-operating educator will observe the student’s interactions with the children and provide structured feedback to the student. Students link theory to practice with increasing complexity. Implicit in these activities is students’ engagement in critically identifying and evaluating implicit and explicit theories underlying their practice. Taking an enquiry stance through critical reflective capacities on students’ own and children’s early learning and development will be deepened through the Analysis of Practice seminars.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply principles of early learning and appropriate practice in early childhood settings, in particular in relation to communication and building relationships with very young children.
2. Engage in critical analysis of children’s learning through engagement in communities of practice.
3. Plan collaboratively with co-educators.
4. Demonstrate how to enrich the environment with appropriate materials.
5. Observe children in play and make use of those observations for planning purposes.
6. Compile a professional e-portfolio, with complete plans for enriching and meaningful small group learning experiences, aligned to learning outcomes, vocabulary, interaction strategies, evaluation and policy frameworks.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Independent Study135No Description
Professional Practice240No Description
Total Workload: 375

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Description
Placement 2 enables students to further develop their observation and reflective capacities and the competencies they require to work with babies, or toddlers, or young children. A thematic approach underpins tasks in line with the programme’s thematic approach to professional development. This approach provides for pedagogical alignment through integrating the learning across the programme, providing for a focus on the broad concepts and areas of content (foundational, environmental, inclusion, and leadership and expertise). The following thematic schema for placement is used to frame and integrate all placement experiences and activities across the programme and form the content of the e-portfolio

Looking at communicating and collaborating
The student will demonstrate looking at communicating and collaborating by documenting and reflecting on, for example: • Contributions to the Placement community of practice, by sharing information learned as part of course-work, by bringing in new ideas to enhance the children’s learning environment. • Engagement in constructive dialogue with the co-operating educator in relation to student’s practice and critically reflecting and responding appropriately to the feedback.

Looking at understanding diversity
The student will demonstrate looking at understanding diversity by documenting and reflecting on how they: • Demonstrate competence in promoting children’s participation and individual and group identity and sense of belonging in practice.

Looking at applying professional knowledge
The student will demonstrate looking at applying professional knowledge by documenting and reflecting on how they: • Linked the theory learned in the second year course-work, for example, environments and interactions, the pioneers and approaches of ECE, play and learning and development, outdoor learning, young children thinking and learning, technology and learning, language and cultural diversity and applied it to their practice in Placement.

Looking at engaging in professional practice
The student will demonstrate looking at applying professional practice by documenting and reflecting on how: • Their role and their relationship to others in the Placement community of practice have evolved. • They explain the contextual complexities of their work in the Placement, engaging in professional behaviours, enhancing the learning and development of children and how to manage that. • They manage conflict with children and staff. • Their experience of planning, conducting and evaluating small group learning experiences.

Looking at practising reflectively and ethically
The student will demonstrate looking at practicing reflectively and ethically by documenting and reflecting on, for example: • The practice of observing children in their environment, ethically documenting children’s learning in play episodes, and analysing the learning. • Using tools such as digital audio tape as a tool for self-assessment and critical reflections on practice. All of the reflection tasks are contained within the professional placement e-portfolio with particular relevance to exploring environments for early learning.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PortfolioThe assessment guidelines and criteria for the rating awarded are set out in the Placement Handbook and Assessment Guide. Observations made by the co-operating education along with feedback provided about the student’s development and progress will assist the Placement Tutor in evaluating and rating the student’s practice in line with university procedures.100%Sem 2 End
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    39778, Note, 0, There are no recommended readings for this module other than what was required in the Issues in Professional Learning and Practice 1 module.,
    Programme or List of Programmes
    BECEBachelor of Early Childhood Education
    Archives:

    My DCU | Loop | Disclaimer | Privacy Statement