Accreditation placement in Bachelor of Education (Primary)

Unit overview

This is the first professional experience unit in the Bachelor of Education (Primary). It introduces key concepts in curriculum planning, teaching strategies, assessment, and learning environments within Primary School settings.

• Focus on curriculum planning and effective teaching strategies

• Emphasis on assessment practices in Primary education

• Assessed against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) (AITSL, 2017)

Core concepts

The unit builds foundational knowledge in:

• Assessment: Understanding various assessment methods and their applications

• Planning: Developing lesson and unit plans aligned with curriculum goals

• Teaching: Implementing strategies that support diverse learners

Professional placement

Pre-service teachers (PSTs) will complete a 20-day supervised placement in a Primary School, where they will:

• Experience different teaching styles and pedagogies

• Apply theory to real classroom situations

• Gain insight into day-to-day teaching practices

Unit completion requirements

To successfully complete the unit, PSTs must:

• Meet both academic and practical placement components

• Demonstrate the ability to apply theory into classroom practice

• Move beyond observation to critically reflect on and evaluate their teaching

Unit overview

This is the second Professional Experience practicum in the Bachelor of Education (Primary). Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) are required to complete 21 days of supervised professional experience within the allocated teaching block.

• Focus on further developing teaching capabilities in the lower primary context

• Engage in one-to-one coaching and small group work before taking responsibility for a full class

• Involvement in the life of the school, reflecting on practice with mentors and university staff

• Assessed against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) (AITSL, 2017)

Core concepts

This unit builds on the foundational knowledge developed in the first practicum, focusing on:

• Teaching in Lower Primary: Developing strategies and approaches for teaching younger learners

• Coaching and Group Work: PSTs will engage in one-to-one coaching and small group teaching before managing a full class

• Professional Relationships: Establishing positive professional relationships with mentors and school staff

• Curriculum Knowledge: Engaging with national and/or state or territory curriculum and policies

Professional placement

Pre-service teachers (PSTs) will complete a 21-day supervised placement in a primary school, where they will:

• Work under supervision of a teacher mentor

• Experience various teaching styles and pedagogies in the lower primary context

• Apply theory to real classroom situations, contributing to the life of the school

• Reflect on their practice and performance through discussions with school mentors and university staff

Unit completion requirements

To successfully complete the unit, PSTs must:

• Complete both academic and practical placement components

• Demonstrate the ability to apply theory in the classroom setting

• Reflect critically on their teaching practice in discussion with mentors and university staff

• Demonstrate competence against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) appropriate to the course stage

Unit overview

This is the third Professional Experience practicum in the Bachelor of Education (Primary). Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) are required to complete 21 days of supervised professional experience within the designated teaching block.

• Focus on teaching in upper primary school settings

• Increased responsibility for full-class teaching

• Involvement in school life and professional discussions with mentors and university staff

• Assessed against all Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) at the graduate level

Core concepts

This unit continues to build on prior experience, with emphasis on:

• Pedagogy & Curriculum: Engaging with strategies and content relevant to upper primary classrooms

• Assessment for Learning: Understanding and applying effective assessment practices in the primary context

• Professional Relationships: Establishing respectful, collaborative relationships from the beginning of the placement

• Reflective Practice: Ongoing self-reflection and professional dialogue with mentor teachers and university staff

Professional placement

Pre-service teachers will complete a 20-day supervised placement in an upper primary school, where they will:

• Teach under the supervision of a registered teacher mentor

• Take on a large percentage of full-class teaching responsibilities

• Participate fully in the daily operations of the school

• Reflect on their teaching performance in collaboration with mentors and university staff

Unit completion requirements

To successfully complete the unit, PSTs must:

• Complete both the academic and professional placement components

• Demonstrate readiness for teaching by meeting all Graduate-level APST standards

• Establish and maintain professional relationships within the school community

• Engage in critical reflection and demonstrate continuous development of teaching skills

Unit overview

EDU40012 is the final Professional Experience practicum in the Bachelor of Education (Primary). To complete this unit, Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) must undertake a 20-day supervised placement, assessed against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) at the Graduate level.

• Marks the culmination of professional experience in the course

• Emphasis on full integration of teaching skills and professional knowledge

• Includes completion of the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA)

Core concepts

This capstone unit focuses on demonstrating:

• Graduate Readiness: Competence across all APST Graduate-level standards

• Full Teaching Cycle: Planning, teaching, assessing, and using student data to inform practice

• Professional Judgment: Using evidence to guide teaching decisions and improve learning outcomes

Professional placement

PSTs will complete a 20-day final placement, where they are expected to:

• Take full responsibility for the classroom under supervision

• Demonstrate autonomy, professionalism, and adaptability

• Showcase readiness to transition into the teaching profession

Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA)

As part of this unit, PSTs will complete the GTPA, an AITSL-endorsed performance assessment developed by a collective of 19 Australian universities, including Swinburne.

Through the GTPA, PSTs will:

• Provide evidence of planning, teaching, and assessment

• Demonstrate how student learning data is used to inform practice

• Show alignment with Graduate-level teaching standards

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