Unit Outline

This capstone unit provides an opportunity for you to conceptualise an independent project of scholarly inquiry that enables you to bridge your academic study with your professional career. You will critically reflect on knowledge and experiences covered in your degree and identify outstanding areas of need that are required before graduation and entry into the profession. You will generate a subject of inquiry by locating a wondering and apply scholarly skills to systematically investigate, analyse and evaluate the academic literature in relation to your subject of inquiry. Through preparation of a research proposal, you will demonstrate that you can conceptualise and plan an independent, inquiry based research project that integrates theoretical issues and practical considerations. You will show capacity for independent and self-directed learning and an ability to participate with, support and engage with your peers.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	identify a subject of teacher inquiry that will contribute to the improvement of student learning through refection on your studies so far.
2.	apply scholarly skills to systematically investigate, critically analyse and evaluate the academic literature in relation to your subject of inquiry.
3.	develop a proposal for a systematic inquiry based project that will improve practice and enhance student learning.
4.	engage with colleagues/peers to create a professional learning community to develop an inquiry stance.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	EMT502

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Starting your Teacher Inquiry Journey	Week 3	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Teacher Inquiry Proposal	Week 8	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Participation and Engagement	Week 9	10 %	LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Starting your Teacher Inquiry Journey

Task Description:

This assessment task requires you to generate a source of inquiry consisting of an identified topic related to your teaching area or pedagogy, a refined research question, and a brief summary of relevant research literature.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 6.1, 6.2

Task Length:

1,000 words.

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Generate a source of inquiry by articulating a wondering.	LO1, LO3
2	Conceptualise an inquiry question.	LO2
3	Apply inquiry skills to construct an initial report on the literature.	LO2
4	Apply scholarly and systematic inquiry skills to develop a literature review.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Teacher Inquiry Proposal

Task Description:

This assessment task extends the work you developed in AT2 and requires you comprehensively to map the research literature that informs your scholarly response to your research question, from which you will draw relevant conclusions concerning your chosen topic.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 3.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4

Task Length:

2,500 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Justify significance of inquiry project in relation to broader developments in the education field.	LO1, LO3
2	Apply scholarly and systematic inquiry skills to develop a literature review.	LO2
3	Select and justify inquiry methods and inquiry design decisions.	LO3
4	Plan and develop a cohesive teacher inquiry proposal to meet professional learning needs with a high level of personal autonomy.	LO3
5	Apply professional standards to communicate knowledge via an appropriate format for specialist and non-specialist audience and support with in-text and reference list according to APA style (6th edition).	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Participation and Engagement

Task Description:

This assessment task requires you to communicate your reflection on the extent to which you engaged with the unit’s learning activities throughout the semester. A template will be provided in MyLO.

Completion of this Assessment Task relates to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) 6.3

Task Length:

This task is based on participation and engagement throughout the semester. However, in terms of workload required to manage this task for assessment purposes, it is equivalent to 500 words.

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Attendance in learning experiences (20%)	LO4
2	Preparation for and engagement in learning experiences (30%)	LO2
3	Collaboration and collegiality of engagement with peers (50%)	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.