EC531: Becoming a Professional Early Childhood Teacher Essay Assignment | NZTC

Part One: Discussion Forum

All students are expected to regularly contribute to the discussion forums. At the end of the course, students will be asked to select one of their own posts from the academic forum contributions for this course and justify how this post added value to the discussion (no more than 100 words). An image of the post and a justification will be submitted for marking. The course lecturer will consider the quality of the submission in determining the final grade. Instructions for taking the image and some hints on what makes a valuable addition to the conversation are in Academic Skills.

Part Two: Short Essay

Based on your values and beliefs related to early childhood teaching, describe three qualities that a professional early childhood teacher should demonstrate and why these are important to being an effective teacher. Discuss how these qualities impact effective teaching and learning.

LO1; 2

(500 words)

Part Three: Short Essay

Select one principle of Te Whāriki and one of the Standards for the Teaching Profession of Our Code, Our Standards. Explain how this principle and standard may be evidenced in children’s learning. Describe how this principle and standard connect with your personal teaching practice.

LO3

(500 words)

Part Four: Reflection

Select either the Smyth or Stop Think Change model of reflection. Briefly describe a recently observed situation related to the health and safety of a child in an early childhood center. Describe key considerations for an early childhood teacher in this situation. Outline one practical health- and safety-focused solution.

LO4

(500 words)

Course-required readings must be used as well as additional literature to inform your assessment. The reference list must be attached.

Marking Criteria

Distinction

Demonstration of an extremely high level of knowledge of content, relevant skills, intellectual initiative, and interpretative and analytical ability relevant to the level of the course.

Merit

Demonstration of a high level of knowledge of content, relevant skills, intellectual initiative, and interpretative and analytical ability relevant to the level of the course.

Pass

Demonstration of a satisfactory level of knowledge of content, relevant skills, intellectual initiative, and interpretative and analytical ability relevant to the level of the course.

Resubmit

A resubmit is a learning opportunity offered to a student who has submitted an assessment that does not demonstrate a satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes to the expected level of that course. In such cases, the student may be given the opportunity to resubmit part or all of the assessment. An assessment will not be eligible for resubmission if the work submitted does not reflect a genuine attempt to address the assessment tasks and course learning outcomes.

Fail

A failing grade may be awarded in the following circumstances:

a. If the work submitted fails to successfully demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge of content, relevant skills, intellectual initiative, and interpretative and analytical ability relevant to the level of the course.
b. Plagiarism, fraud, or cheating.
c. If the work submitted does not reflect a genuine attempt to address the assessment tasks and learning outcomes of the course.

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d. The quality of work is significantly below the requirements of the course level.

Presentation Criteria

Please follow this link to Criteria for Marking Presentations in Written Assessments for information on criteria relating to length, structure, language use, referencing, and NZTC style requirements.

Criteria: Achieved (✔) / Not Yet Achieved ( ) (LO = Learning Outcome)

The image of the post has been included and justified

Three qualities of a professional early childhood teacher are described and are reflective of the student’s personal values and beliefs

A principle of Te Whāriki and a standard from Our Code Our Standards are clearly linked to children’s learning and the student’s personal teaching practice

The teacher’s role in maintaining health and safety of a child is clearly explained and the suggested solution has a strong practice-based focus

Presentation Criteria

• Length
• Referencing
• Structure
• NZTC style requirements
• Language use