Faculty of Education

 Bachelor of Education (Primary)

Table of Contents

Subject Lists
    Education subjects
        First year
        Second year
        Third year
        Fourth year
    School Experience subjects
    Learning Area subjects
        First year
        Second year
        Third year
        Third year Option studies
        Fourth year
        Fourth year Option studies

 1. Overview

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) award is a 400 point four-year degree which qualifies you for registration and employment as a generalist teacher in primary schools and is recognised throughout Australia as a four-year teacher education award.

The compulsory program of studies in School Experience, Education, and Learning Area (Curriculum and Standards Framework related) components in each of the four years includes teaching experience in a range of primary schools, as well as studies in child development and special education, learning and the primary school curriculum, education theory, the role of the teacher in the classroom and the school, indigenous Australian studies and computers in the classroom.

Elective choice within the course is offered through the Learning Area Options.

 2. Course objectives

On completion of the Bachelor of Education (Primary) course graduates should be able to:

• understand the development of children, their ability to learn in a variety of ways and in difficult situations taking into account their individual needs and abilities;

• demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of Australian society, particularly in relation to socio-economic class, ethnicity, gender and disability, and the influence of these on the education of children;

• demonstrate a high level of interpersonal and communication skills including both written and verbal abilities relevant to the teaching profession;

• demonstrate the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to design, implement and evaluate curricula, learning programs and classroom practices;

• demonstrate a broad perspective on education and the skills to reflect on and debate current educational concerns in Victoria, Australia and internationally;

• demonstrate an understanding of teaching as a process, a craft, a career and a profession; and

• demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development.

 3. Course structure

The course can be completed in a minimum of four years and a maximum of ten years.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Primary) you must satisfy the following requirements:

• gain a cumulative score of at least 400 points;

• complete the equivalent of 80 days of approved, supervised experience in schools;

• complete Education 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, 3A and 3B, 4A and 4B, and the Research Project;

• complete the four year Learning Area sequences in Language and Literacy, and Mathematics;

• complete the three year Learning Area sequence in Science and Technology;

• complete the two year Learning Area sequences in Arts, Health and Physical Education;

• complete studies in Studies of Society and Environment in first year, which continue as components of third year Education subjects;

• complete 25 points of Learning Area Option studies.

On successful completion of the School Experience 4 placement at the beginning of Semester 2 of their final year, students will spend two days a week for the remainder of the University semester in the school in which they undertook the placement. During that time they will be required to conduct assigned tasks associated with second semester fourth year subjects.

 4. Honours course

An Honours degree is available within the four-year program. Details of the requirements for an Honours degree are available from the Faculty Office.

 5. Lateral entry and credit

Lateral entry to Years 2 and 3 of the course is possible, depending on details of studies undertaken previously. Applications for credit are assessed on an individual basis according to the guidelines set out in the Faculty's credit policy. Students entering with credit may not be eligible for an Honours degree.

 6. Concurrent Diplomas

It is possible for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) to also enrol in a concurrent diploma. This will normally add one year to the duration of the degree course. Prospective students should note that timetabling issues may arise between subjects taught in different Faculties.

 6.1. Diploma in Arts

Bachelor of Education (Primary) students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Arts offered by the Faculty of Arts. Enrolment must be approved by both the Arts Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty Office.

 6.2. Diploma in Creative Arts

Bachelor of Education (Primary) students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Creative Arts, offered by the School of Studies in Creative Arts, Victorian College of the Arts. Enrolment must be approved by both the School of Studies in Creative Arts and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the School of Studies in Creative Arts (Tel. +61 3 9 344 8389).

 6.3. Diploma in Information Systems

Bachelor of Education (Primary) students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Information Systems, offered by the Faculty of Science. Further details are available from the Science Faculty Office.

 6.4. Diploma in Modern Languages

Bachelor of Education (Primary) students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) offered by the Faculty of Arts. Enrolment must be approved by both the Arts Faculty and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty Office.

 6.5. Diploma in Music (Practical)

Bachelor of Education (Primary) students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Music (Practical) offered by the Faculty of Music. Enrolment must be approved by both the Faculty of Music and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Music Faculty Office.

 7. Course outline

 7.1. BEd (Primary) course outline for students commencing the course in 1998, 1999 or 2000

First year
	460-100 School Experience 1	6.25
	476-104 Education 1: Children Schools & Society	18.75
	483-117 Learning Area: Arts 1	12.5
	485-100 Learning Area: Mathematics 1	12.5
	485-102 Learning Area: Science & Technology 1	12.5
	476-107 Learning Area: Society & Environment 1	12.5
	483-107 Learning Area: Language & Literacy 1	12.5
	485-101 Learning Area: Health & Physical Ed.1	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Second year
	460-200 School Experience 2	12.5
	476-200 Education 2A: Educ. Theories & Practices	12.5
	485-200 Education 2C Computers in Primary C'Room	12.5
	483-242 Learning Area: Arts 2	12.5
	Plus either
	485-202 Learning Area: Mathematics 2	12.5
	OR
	485-204 Learning Area: Mathematics 2 (Adv)	12.5
	Plus either
	485-220 Learning Area:Health & Physical Ed.2	12.5
	OR
	485-229 Learning Area:Health & Physical Ed.2 Adv	12.5
	Plus
	476-202 Education 2B Indigenous Aust Studies	12.5
	483-200 Learning Area: Language & Literacy 2	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Third year
	460-300 School Experience 3	18.75
	(previously known as 476-324 School Experience 3)
	476-320 Education 3A Curriculum and Teaching	18.75
	Plus either
	485-349 Learning Area: Sci & Technology 2	12.5
	OR
	485-355 Learning Area: Sci & Technology 2 (Adv)	12.5
	476-322 Educ.3B Children With Special Needs	12.5
	483-365 Learning Area: Language & Literacy 3	12.5
	(previously known as 483-354 Learning time-tabling & Literacy 3)
	Plus either
	485-346 Learning Area: Mathematics 3	12.5
	OR
	485-348 Learning Area: Mathematics 3 (Adv)	12.5
	Plus
	Learning Area Option
Total Points		100.0

Fourth year
	460-400 School Experience 4	12.5
	(previously known as 476-428 School Experience 4)
	476-422 Educ.4A Curriculum Integration	12.5
	476-424 Educ.4B Issues & Contexts in Education	12.5
	483-456 Learning Area:Language & Literacy 4	12.5
	Plus either
	485-449 Learning Area:Mathematics 4	12.5
	OR
	485-407 Learning Area:Mathematics 4 (Adv)	12.5
	Plus either
	485-448 Learning Area:Sci & Technology 3	12.5
	OR
	485-455 Learning Area:Sci & Technology 3(Adv)	12.5
	Plus either
	460-424 Research Project	12.5
	OR
	460-427 Honours Project	12.5
	Plus
	Learning Area Option
Total Points		100.0

 7.2. Bachelor of Education (Primary) course outline for students commencing the course in 1996 or 1997

First year
	476-110 School Experience 1
	476-112 Education 1: Children, Schools & Society
	476-111 Learning Area: Society & Environment
	483-124 Learning Area: Arts 1
	485-130 Learning Area: Health & Physical Education 1
	483-134 Learning Area: Language & Literacy 1
	485-129 Learning Area: Mathematics
	485-128 Learning Area: Science and Technology
Total Points		100.0

Second year1
	476-215 School Experience 2
	476-213 Education 2B: Indigenous Australian Studies
	485-254 Education 2C: Computers in the Primary Classroom
	Plus either
	476-211 Education 2A: Educational Theories & Practices
	OR
	476-212 Education 2A(Adv.): Education Theories & Practices
	Plus either
	483-237 Learning Area: Language and Literacy 2
	OR
	483-238 Learning Area: Language and Literacy 2 (Adv)
	Plus either
	483-239 Learning Area: Arts 2
	OR
	483-236 Learning Area: Arts 2 (Adv)
	Plus either
	485-239 Learning Area: Mathematics 2
	OR
	485-240 Learning Area: Mathematics 2 (Adv)
	Plus either
	485-237 Learning Area: Health & Physical Education 2
	OR
	485-238 Learning Area: Health & Physical Education 2 (Adv)
Total Points		100.0

Third year
	As for Third year of the course for students commencing the course in 1998, 1999 or 2000

Fourth year
	As for Fourth year of the course for students commencing the course in 1998, 1999 or 2000

 7.3. BEd (Primary) course outline for students enrolled prior to 1996

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) before 1996 should refer to previous Handbooks for the course structure and subject descriptions.

Education subjects

The Education component of the BEd (Primary) course is intended to develop a knowledge of major theories of child development and learning as well as theories of the school as a social institution and its contemporary role.

The major study includes particular reference to the legal and professional responsibilities and role of the teacher charged with the care of young children and with the need to deal productively with their skills. General principles of curriculum design, implementation and evaluation are learned in association with the complementary studies in the Learning Areas and School Experience components. Selected subjects are available at standard and advanced level after year 1. All subjects in the Education sequence are compulsory except that students will take either Research Project or the Honours Project in Year 4.

Year 1: systematic observation of children learning in classroom settings; the role of the teacher; social and cultural perspectives; education theory.

Year 2: theoretical perspectives underpinning practice; indigenous studies; computers in the classroom.

Year 3: the tasks of the classroom teacher, including assessment; inquiry learning; curriculum design; child development; special needs students; classroom management.

Year 4: an intensive sustained classroom-based experience in analysis, planning and classroom implementation of curriculum models; the role of educational research; the teacher as professional.

First year

Second year

Third year

Fourth year

School Experience subjects

This core component of the BEd (Primary) course is offered in each year through placement with approved supervisors in designated schools. All subjects are compulsory and offered at standard subject level.

The sequence is arranged within four subjects - School Experience 1, 2, 3 and 4. Normally these subjects will be taken concurrently with the Education subjects of the designated year.

On successful completion of the School Experience 4 placement at the beginning of Semester 2 of their final year, student will spend two days a week for the remainder of the University semester in the school in which they undertook the placement. During that time they will be required to conduct assigned tasks associated with second semester fourth year subjects.

The School Experience placements are arranged by the School Experience and Professional Practice Unit. Teachers in schools associated with the Faculty, and staff from a number of teaching departments, are involved in the conduct of the subjects. The dates for School Experience periods are shown in the Schedule in the School Experience and Professional Practice General Handbook.

Criteria for assessment for each placement are clearly related to the objectives of the course, the developing abilities of the student and the intended outcomes of the Education and Learning Areas subjects. All subjects require the student to demonstrate teaching capability and appropriate involvement in the life of the school as an associate member of staff.

Assessment in a subject will use a process in which supervising teachers and Faculty staff will make progressive assessment of a student's work and professional development and will have discussed these assessments with students at critical phases of the placement.

All subjects are graded and grades are determined by the marks derived by the scoring system as set out in each School Experience Assessment criteria sheet. The final result is derived from the average of the scores on the School Experience Assessment Reports and the scores recorded by Faculty supervisors.

460-100 School Experience 1
460-200 School Experience 2
460-300 School Experience 3
460-400 School Experience 4

Learning Area subjects

The Learning Area component of the BEd (Primary) is intended to develop a thorough understanding both of the knowledge base of the key curriculum areas and of associated pedagogical principles and practice. Studies are designed to match the development of teaching skills through school experience. Opportunities for specialising in a learning area are given either in a sequence of advanced studies or by choosing appropriate options.

In fourth year, students are required to spend 5 days in Orientation Week, and to negotiate 2 days a week in Semester 1, and 5 single days in the first part of Semester 2, in a school designated by the Faculty. During that time they will be required to conduct assigned tasks associated with fourth year subjects.

First year

Second year

Third year

Third year Option studies

Fourth year

Fourth year Option studies

Status:                   Official 2000
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