Reflective essay
EEP305: Multiple Understandings Reflective Essay Value: 40% Due Date: 21-Aug-2018 Return Date: 11-Sep-2018 Length: 1500 words Submission method options: EASTS (online) Task Why is it important for early childhood educators to draw upon a range of theoretical perspectives in their work? Prescribed text McLachlan, C., Fleer, M. & Edwards, S. (2013). Early childhood curriculum: Planning, assessment and implementation (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. Write a 1500 word essay on the above question. You will need to address the strengths and weaknesses by comparing and contrasting some of the theoretical perspectives discussed in the EYLF. Your essay should be written in academic language and use correct APA referencing. You are expected to use the required readings from your subject as well additional sources. Marking criteria: 1. Understand and critically reflect on key concepts, theoretical approaches and assumptions that inform early childhood education (15 marks) 2. Examine competing theories of how young children learn (10 marks) 3. Critically reflect on the implications of different theories of learning for early childhood curriculum practices (10 marks) 4. Academic writing and correct referencing (5 marks) EEP305: Assessment one: Reflective Essay Criteria High Distinction Is exceptional, complete, and comprehensive. Distinction Is excellent, complete, and comprehensive. Credit Is good, complete, and comprehensive. Pass Is complete and meets assessment criteria. Fail Is incomplete and does not meet assessment criteria. Understand and critically reflect on key concepts, theoretical approaches and assumptions that inform early childhood education (15 marks) Theoretical perspectives discussed in the EYLF are used, with detailed and relevant examples, to critically reflect on the work of early childhood educators. The critical reflection synthesises the examples, the theoretical approaches and key concepts. Theoretical perspectives discussed in the EYLF are used, with detailed and relevant examples, to critically reflect on the work of early childhood educators. Theoretical perspectives discussed in the EYLF are used, with relevant examples, to critically reflect on the work of early childhood educators. Theoretical perspectives discussed in the EYLF are used, with some attempts at including examples, to critically reflect on the work of early childhood educators. Unable to clearly articulate how theoretical perspectives discussed in the EYLF are used to critically reflect on the work of early childhood educators. Examine competing theories of how young children learn (10 marks) Competing theories of how children learn are critically examined and comprehensively discussed by drawing upon the required readings, as well as several carefully selected, highly relevant and current additional sources. Competing theories of how children learn are discussed, with attempts to be critical by drawing upon the required readings and several carefully selected additional sources. Competing theories of how children learn are examined through analysis and attempts at critical discussion by drawing upon the required readings and some additional sources. Competing theories of how children learn are examined, mainly through description, by drawing upon the required readings and some additional sources. Assignment does not reflect an understanding of how we can examine competing theories of how young children learn AND/OR References are not utilised Critically reflect on the implications of different theories of learning for early childhood curriculum practices (10 marks) The strengths and weaknesses of the various theoretical perspectives, and their connection to early childhood curriculum practices, are thoroughly analysed and evaluated including how assessment strategies and approaches can be used in an early education service. The strengths and weaknesses of the various theoretical perspectives of learning, and their connection to early childhood curriculum practices, are explained in detail, including how assessment strategies and approaches can be used in an early education service. Theories of learning, and their connection to early childhood curriculum practices, are clearly stated including how assessment strategies and approaches can be used in an early education service. The strengths and weaknesses of the various theoretical perspectives are explained. Theories of learning, and their connection to early childhood curriculum practices, are clearly stated including how assessment strategies and approaches can be used in an early education service with some attempts to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the various theoretical perspectives. The student does not demonstrate the ability to show the connections between theories of learning and early childhood curriculum practices. The student is unable to demonstrate how assessment strategies and approaches can be used within an early education service linking to the various theoretical perspectives. Academic writing and correct referencing (5 marks) Language features and structures are used to convey meaning effectively, clearly, unambiguously, concisely, and in a tone appropriate to the audience and purpose with no spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Referencing is comprehensive, demonstrates academic integrity, and conforms exactly to APA 6th ed. style conventions. Language features and structures are used to convey meaning effectively, clearly, unambiguously, and in a tone appropriate to the audience and purpose with minor spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors. Referencing is comprehensive and conforms to the conventions of APA 6th ed. style with only minor errors or omissions. The meaning is apparent to the reader, despite several minor errors in spelling, grammar, word choice, and structure. Referencing is comprehensive and mostly accurate according to the conventions of APA 6th ed. style. The meaning is apparent to the reader, despite several intrusive errors in spelling, grammar, word choice, and structure. Referencing is mostly accurate according to the conventions of APA 6th ed. style with some errors, but they do not impact on the transparency and traceability of the source, or the demonstration of academic integrity. Does not meet the standards required for a Pass. The meaning is not apparent to the reader AND/OR academic integrity is not demonstrated.