Workshop-Week 1

ED1421: Foundations of Language and Literacy in Education Workshop

Prepared by Associate Professor Leanne Dalley (Subject Coordinator).

Introduction to ED1421

Welcome Message: Congratulations on entering Teacher Education at JCU! "Crescente Luce" translates to Light Ever Increasing, symbolizing the growth and enlightenment that will take place during your educational journey.

Workshop Objectives

  • Overarching Objective: Setting students up for success in ED1421 involves an in-depth introduction to the course, the teaching team, and effective learning and teaching methodologies.

  • Introduce the ED1421 Teaching and Student Success Team: Understanding who will guide you through the course is vital for effective communication and support.

  • Overview of Learning and Teaching in ED1421: The workshop will delve into the structure of the subject and how it aligns with your future teaching career.

  • Review Subject Documents: Key information will be provided, including assessment requirements, assignment deadlines, attendance policies, and essential resources.

  • Discuss LANTITE: Insights into the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students, including its significance and preparation requirements, will be discussed.

  • Focusing on Week 1 and Beyond: Detailed overview of modules and readings, linking each to future assessments, and highlighting learning objectives.

  • Building a Community of Learning: Emphasizing the importance of collaboration and peer learning.

ED1421 Teaching Team Communication Guidelines

  • First Contact for Queries: Students are encouraged to approach their lecturer with questions related to course content and administration. Always include "ED1421" in the email subject for clarity.

  • Professional Communication: Adherence to professional communication standards is expected in all email correspondence, including using appropriate language, grammar, and a formal signature.

Teaching Staff Contact Details

  • Leanne Dalley (Subject Coordinator & Lecturer): Room 134-118D, Phone: 47814357, Email: leanne.dalley@jcu.edu.au, Consultation by appointment.

  • Janette King (Lecturer CNS): Email: janette.king@jcu.edu.au, Consultation by appointment.

  • Heather Fraser (Lecturer TSV & RATEP): Room 134-118, Phone: 47816165, Email: heather.fraser@jcu.edu.au, Consultation by appointment.

  • Trisha Telford (Professional Experience Academic Program Coordinator): Room 134-114F, Townsville, Phone: 47815424, Email: trisha.telford@jcu.edu.au, Consultation by appointment.

Student Success Officers (SSOs) for ED1421 Support Services Available

  • Support Services: Assist with motivation, time management, and administrative tasks while also addressing personal issues that may affect academic performance.

  • Key Contacts: Anita Suleman (CNS: 07 4232 1484, A4 Office 137) and Jorden Pearce (TSV: 07 4781 5481, Office 124).

Setting Up for Success: Learning and Teaching in ED1421

Key Components:

  • Online Learning Modules: Engage actively with interactive content, diagnostic assessments, and quizzes that establish a baseline for your learning and identify areas for improvement.

  • Workshops: Mandatory attendance at all workshops, particularly the four professional experience workshops designed to provide practical skills.

  • Readings: Thorough engagement with prescribed readings is necessary before attending workshops, as it will enhance your understanding and participation.

  • Assessment: Timely completion of all assessment tasks is expected and critical for demonstrating understanding.

Special Consideration

Consideration will be given for unforeseen circumstances affecting student engagement, following university policies.

Learn JCU Site Access Materials

  • Yearly Access: Students will have ongoing access to all study materials for ED1421, including general information and a comprehensive subject calendar that outlines key dates.

Course Overview

Subject Description:

Focuses on language and literacy concepts from birth to age 18. The course emphasizes practical approaches and frameworks essential for teaching in various educational contexts.

Subject Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and implement linguistic content and strategies suitable for students from diverse backgrounds.

  • Apply language and literacy concepts broadly across different teaching areas within the curriculum.

  • Explain the dynamics of language and literacy development within relevant curriculum frameworks and instructional strategies.

  • Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in reading, writing, and text analysis.

Professional Experience Placement and Workshops

  • Embedded 5-Day Experience: Completion of a mandatory 5-day professional experience is required to pass the course, alongside online workshops that integrate theory and practice.

Subject Resources

  • Prescribed Textbook: "Literacy in Australia: Pedagogies for Engagement" (3rd ed.) is essential and available digitally via the Readings folder on LearnJCU.

  • Online Text: Cambridge LANTITE Edge for Literacy preparation must be purchased, providing essential content for building literacy skills.

LANTITE Overview Description

  • Testing Requirements: Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students ensures preparedness for teaching roles. All students are required to attempt the test, with some states requiring passing results for graduation and employment.

Subject Calendar Reference

  • Weekly Study Requirements: Adherence to the subject calendar is crucial for timelines related to modules and assessments to ensure successful completion of the course.

Assessment Overview

  • Important Dates: All students must plan their studies around key learning experiences and maintain awareness of assessments.

  • Submission Requirements: Use of generative AI tools is prohibited. Students must obtain a minimum score of 50% and show satisfactory performance in literacy testing to pass.

Academic Integrity Guidelines

Integrity Principles:

  • Trust and Honesty: Maintain integrity in all assessments by avoiding plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct.

  • Proper Referencing: Emphasize the necessity of proper referencing, using APA (7th Edition) for all assessments to uphold academic integrity.

Icebreaker Activity

Group Discussions:

  • Prompts for Personal Sharing: Interactive group discussions aim to promote community building through introductions and sharing of personal interests, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Week 1 Focus Topics and Readings:

  • Topics Include: Language and Literacy in Education, Defining Language and Literacy, Literacy(ies) Across the Curriculum with prescribed chapters and articles focusing on the foundational concepts that shape educational approaches.

Key Concepts of Language

Defining Language:

Language is described as a systematic form of communication that encompasses spoken, written, and visual forms, established through social conventions that evolve over time. Language serves multiple functions including expressing thoughts, emotions, desires, and social relationships. It consists of various components such as phonetics (the sounds), morphology (the structure of words), syntax (the arrangement of words in sentences), semantics (the meaning), and pragmatics (the context of use). Additionally, language can differ across cultures and communities, reflecting diverse worldviews and ways of interpreting experiences. Social interaction plays a critical role in language development, as it is often learned through communication with others, making it a dynamic and socially constructed tool.

Contemporary Understandings of Literacy

Key Insights:

Literacy is viewed as a complex, evolving concept intricately linked to social practices and cultural contexts, demonstrating its critical importance for life success and integration into society.

Looking Forward to Week 2 Preparation:

Students are encouraged to proactively prepare for quizzes and discussions, ensuring engagement with assessments addressed in Week 1.