Faculty of Education
Bachelor of Education (Primary) BEd (Primary)

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Faculty of Education

1. Overview
2. Course objectives
3. Entry requirements
4. Course structure
5. Honours
6. Workload
7. Credit
8. Concurrent diplomas
    8.1. Diploma in Arts
    8.2. Diploma in Creative Arts
    8.3. Diploma in Information Systems
    8.4. Diploma in Modern Languages
    8.5. Diploma in Music (Practical)
9. Course outline
    9.1. BEd (Primary) course outline for students commencing the course in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002
    9.2. Bachelor of Education (Primary) course outline for students commencing the course in 1996 or 1997
    9.3. BEd (Primary) course outline for students enrolled prior to 1996
    9.4. Subject area information
Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions
        First year
        Second year
        Third year
        Third year option studies (not all options will be offered in 2002)
        Fourth year
        Fourth year option studies (not all options will be offered in 2002)

1. Overview

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

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) 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 socioeconomic 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. Entry requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or approved equivalent Year 12 certificate with a study score of at least 25 in VCE English (any) Units 3 and 4 and a satisfactory grade in Units 1 and 2 General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods. The clearly in rank for 2001 was an ENTER score of 82.9.

4. Course structure

The course can be completed in a minimum of four years and a maximum of 10 years.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Primary) students 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 and 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 Semester 2 fourth year subjects.

5. Honours

For a student to obtain honours they must satisfy normal course requirements and they must:

obtain a mark of 65 or more in the honours project;
obtain an average mark of 75 or more in School Experience 1-4 and
obtain an average grade of 75 over all other subjects in the course.

6. Workload

The standard workload for each year is 100 points. Special permission my be granted to enrol in 112.5 points in years other that the first year of the course.

7. Credit

Credit towards the Bachelor of Education (Primary) may be granted for previous relevant tertiary studies. Credit is determined by the faculty and awarded at the time of enrolment.

Credit is not normally granted for studies undertaken more than 10 years prior to the year of admission to the degree.

For further details a copy of the Faculty of Education Credit Policy is available from the faculty office.

8. 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 difficulties may arise between subjects taught in different faculties.

8.1. 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 Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty office (Tel: +61 3 8344 5235).

8.2. Diploma in Creative Arts

Bachelor of Education (Primary) students are eligible to apply for the Diploma in Creative Arts, offered by the Faculty of Arts. Enrolment must be approved by both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty office (Tel: +61 3 8 344 5235).

8.3. 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. Enrolment must be approved by both the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Science Faculty office (Tel: +61 3 8344 6404).

8.4. 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 Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education. Further details are available from the Arts Faculty office (Tel: +61 3 8344 5235).

8.5. 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 (Tel: +61 3 8344 5258).

9. Course outline

9.1. BEd (Primary) course outline for students commencing the course in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002

First year

Year-long		Points
	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

Semester 1
	476-107 Learning Area: Society & Environment 1	12.5

Semester 2
	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

Year-long		Points
	460-200 School Experience 2	12.5
	476-200 Education 2A: Educ. Theories & Practices	12.5
	483-242 Learning Area: Arts 2	12.5
	485-200 Information Technology and Learning	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

Semester 1
	476-202 Education 2B Indigenous Aust Studies	12.5

Semester 2
	483-200 Learning Area: Language & Literacy 2	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Third year

Year-long		Points
	460-300 School Experience 3	18.75
	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
	Plus
	Learning area option	12.5

Semester 1
	476-322 Educ.3B Children With Special Needs	12.5
	483-365 Learning Area: Language & Literacy 3	12.5

Semester 2
	Either
	485-346 Learning Area: Mathematics 3	12.5
	OR
	485-348 Learning Area: Mathematics 3 (Adv)	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Fourth year

Year-long		Points
	476-422 Educ.4A Curriculum Integration	12.5
	Learning area option	12.5

Semester 1
	476-424 Educ.4B Issues & Contexts in Education	12.5
	483-460 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

Semester 1
	460-400 School Experience 4
	Plus either
	460-424 Research Project	12.5
	OR
	460-427 Honours Project
	Plus either
	485-448 Learning Area: Sci & Technology 3	12.5
	OR
	485-455 Learning Area: Sci & Technology 3(Adv)	12.5
Total Points		100.0

Students with three years of approved university language study at post-VCE level who seek a qualification to teach languages other than English (LOTE) at primary school level may, in addition to all compulsory subjects, also enrol in 483-244 Learning Area: LOTE (Primary). Students will undertake this subject as one of their 3rd or 4th year learning area options subjects.

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

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) commencing in 1996 and 1997 should refer to previous Handbooks for the course structure and first and second year subject descriptions.

Third year

	As for third year of the course above.

Fourth year

	As for fourth year of the course above.

9.3. 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.

9.4. Subject area information

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.

For detailed information on criteria for assessment and placement policies in the BEd (Primary) course refer to the School Experience and Professional Practice (SEPP) BEd (Primary) Manual or the web site http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/SE.

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 first year. All subjects in the education sequence are compulsory except that students will take either the research project or the honours project in fourth year.

First year: systematic observation of children learning in classroom settings; the role of the teacher; social and cultural perspectives; education theory.
Second year: theoretical perspectives underpinning practice; indigenous studies; computers in the classroom.

Third year: the tasks of the classroom teacher, including assessment; inquiry learning; curriculum design; child development; special needs students; classroom management.
Fourth year: an intensive sustained classroom-based experience in analysis, planning and classroom implementation of curriculum models; the role of educational research; the teacher as professional.

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 negotiate two days a week for 10 weeks in the school in which tey undertook School Experience 4 in Semester 2. During that time they will be required to conduct assigned tasks associated with fourth year subjects.

Subject descriptions

Status:                   Official 2002
Last Modified:            Tuesday May 07 22:11
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Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au

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