Module: Professional Practice 3

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Professional Practice 3
Module Code	ECE1004 (ITS: EC310)
Faculty	Language, Literacy & ECE	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

In line with the gradual release of responsibility model underpinning the programme, Placement 3 (P3) will involve further gradual increase in setting-based responsibility to the student. The initial part of P3 will enable the student to see himself/herself as a valuable resource for the setting and as an important member of a professional learning community. This should be a particular enabling and dynamic experience for the student as well as for the setting. It is envisaged that the student will participate in planning and evaluation meetings where practicable. The ongoing professional development offered in P3 may be in a setting for children with specific educational needs or a policy-related placement. Taking an enquiry stance will be further deepened through the Analysis of Practice seminars.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse and critique their pedagogical practice to ensure it optimises children’s learning and is informed by theory, research and practice is dialogue with co-operating educator.
2. Demonstrate how to create an inclusive environment with appropriate materials to respect and meet the diverse needs of the children in the Placement.
3. Take initiative and responsibility in the provision of developmentally appropriate experiences and learning opportunities in collaboration with children, their families and staff.
4. Meet the care needs of babies, or toddlers or young children from a variety of cultures, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds.
5. Interpret observations of emergent learning in child-initiated play – based experiences, assess and communicate the learning that has occurred in relation to a variety of frameworks.
6. Develop the professional e-portfolio.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Independent Study	135	No Description
Professional Practice	240	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	20236	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aishling Silke	Module Teacher	Grainne McKenna, Marlene Mccormack, Sandra O'Neill

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Portfolio	The assessment guidelines and criteria for the grading 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 grading the student’s practice in line with university procedures.	100%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

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Indicative Reading List

Books:

0: Note: There are no recommended readings for this module other than what was required in the Issues in Professional Learning and Practice 1 module.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None