Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary)

Committed to equity and diversity

At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.

Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.

The inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve in order to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of the program.

This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.

Externally accredited

UniSC offers the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary), which progresses towards external Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) accreditation.

Key teaching skills are embedded and assessed throughout the program.

Skills you need

The Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) has inherent academic requirements in four categories: 

  • Communication skills
  • Motor skills
  • Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
  • Behavioural and social skills 

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in this program at UniSC, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.

If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff member.

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of this program if the adjustment is:

  • logistically reasonable
  • likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner.
Support and further information is available from UniSC

Communication skills

The capacity to demonstrate effective communication in English is an essential requirement. This includes the following communication categories:

  • Verbal
  • Aural
  • Written
  • Nonverbal
Verbal communication 

Students must demonstrate the following verbal skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

  • Effective verbal communication at formal and informal levels in tutorials, with peers and lecturers/tutors in small and large groups.
  • The ability to provide clear instructions and presentation of ideas to individuals and large groups relevant to the learning context.
  • The ability to communicate effectively with diverse linguistic and cultural groups and individuals across a range of social contexts.

The capacity to use a range of Information and communication technologies (ICT) that support verbal communication with individuals and small groups for learning and assessment.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • Verbal communication is the primary medium of communication in an educational setting.
  • Timely, accurate, clear and effective delivery of information provides clear instruction and initiation of learning and ensures safe learning environments.
  • Interactivity of communication is fundamental to the educational process.
  • Adequate verbal communication is essential in developing and maintaining effective relationships with all educational stakeholders.
  • Graduates of accredited courses must comply with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST).
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable verbal communication with clarity and accuracy that facilitates effective communication and safety.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Communicate in English effectively and appropriately in tutorials and lectures.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and use of ICT such as data projectors, computers and DVDs to support oral communication for tutorial presentations.
Aural communication

Competent aural communication is required to effectively access course content.

Students must demonstrate the following aural skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

  • Sufficient aural function to perform and comprehend the required range of tasks; including making adjustments to learning in a timely fashion; feedback; and assess safety of the environment.
  • Active listening in tutorials and lectures with tutors, lecturers and peers.
  • Appropriate use of ICT that support aural communication with individuals and small groups for learning and assessment purposes, such as audio-visual equipment and mobile phones and technologies.
Justification

These are inherent academic requirements the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) require that students are able to:

  • Use effective aural communication formally and informally in a range of different social situations with children and adults.
  • Be active and empathetic listeners in diverse social and linguistic contexts.
  • Use ICT to support aural communication in professional contexts.
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to facilitate effective planning, delivery, reporting, evaluating and synthesising of information in both academic and educational settings.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and use of ICT that rely on effective aural communication for tutorial presentations.
  • Respond effectively to peers demonstrating empathy towards them and active listening to what is being communicated.
Written communication

Effective written communication in English is required to effectively access course content.

Students must demonstrate the following writing skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

  • The capacity to construct and model coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstance.
Justification

These are inherent academic requirements the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) require that students are able to:

  • Construct a range of written assignments to ethical and academic standards in order to convey knowledge, understanding and skills of relevant content, pedagogy and curriculum materials.
  • Effectively and appropriately use a range of texts, which include those that are written, screen-based, image-based, sign/symbol-based, that are necessary to communicate meaning, directions and imagination.
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to facilitate effective planning, delivery, reporting, evaluating and synthesising of information in both academic and educational settings.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Construct written assignments that comply with academic standards.
  • Convey information in a written form effectively to families or other staff in the educational setting.
Non-verbal communication

Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to education and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic, honest and non-judgmental.

Students must demonstrate the following non-verbal skills with or without reasonable adjustments (as indicated below):

  • The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues and gestures.
  • Consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviour.
  • Sensitivity to individual differences.
Justification

These are inherent academic requirements the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport in academic and professional relationships.
  • Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes the trust and respect necessary to develop effective professional relationships.
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of, or appropriate response to, effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Recognise non-verbal cues and respond appropriately in tutorials and seminars.
  • Reflect on the impact of non-verbal communication in educational settings.

Motor skills

The capacity to demonstrate performance, coordination and prioritisation of care is required using:

  • Gross motor skills
  • Fine motor skills
Gross motor skills 

Tasks that involve gross motor skills include sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting and bending. Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely, with or without reasonable adjustments as indicated below, in order to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because participation in physical activities and movement is required to function effectively in community and educational settings. Students must demonstrate the ability to move and perform gross motor function within the scope of practice.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate education and care. 

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Set up safe learning environments with resources and equipment.
  • Safely retrieve, move and use large pieces of equipment.
Fine motor skills

Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform, coordinate and prioritise education and care. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely, with or without reasonable adjustments, to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others. Teaching is a profession that requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills.

Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others and a capacity to provide appropriate education and care. 

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Record, observe, document, and clearly model the use of equipment such as scissors, pencils.
  • Manipulate resources during learning activities.
  • Use ICT equipment for teaching and learning.

Behavioural and social skills

The capacity to demonstrate:

  • Ethical behaviour
  • Interpersonal engagement
  • Behavioural stability
Ethical behaviour 

Students need to comply with, and are governed by, quality and professional standards, where they are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional ethical behaviour in all contexts.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • Compliance with the codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This ensures that the physical, psychological, emotional or spiritual wellbeing of the individual is not placed at risk.
  • Understanding and applying key ethical and conduct principles are requirements of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST).
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must comply with standards and maintain ethical behaviour. 

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Demonstrate respect for the diversity of family and community values and practices within academic settings.
  • Demonstrate understanding of professional ethical behaviour required of teachers.
Interpersonal engagement

Interpersonal engagement is essential to work effectively and sensitively and to build relationships in community and educational settings.

Students must demonstrate, with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below:

  • The ability to create rapport with peers, academic and professional staff conducive to effective working relationships.
Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) require effective, sensitive and confidential engagement with students, parents and work colleagues and the ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and ability in various context.
  • Graduates of accredited courses must comply with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) Inclusion is mandated in the Australian educational context.
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable appropriate levels of interpersonal engagement and behaviour.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Participate in a respectful and culturally competent manner in tutorial discussion.

Interact with mutual respect, equity and dignity towards others.

Behavioural stability

Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in educational settings.

Students must demonstrate, with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below:

  • Behavioural stability to work constructively in diverse and challenging academic and educational environments.
Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments. Students will be exposed to complex, stressful situations and will be required to have behavioural stability to manage these events objectively and professionally.
  • Graduates of accredited courses must comply with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST). 
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of, or appropriate response to, effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. 

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Respond appropriately to constructive feedback.
  • Cope with own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with peers, academic and professional staff.

Intellectual – conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities

The capacity to demonstrate:

  • Knowledge and cognitive skills
  • Literacy (language)
  • Numeracy
  • Information and communication technology skills
Knowledge and cognitive skills

Consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive skills are required to provide safe, professional and competent teaching practice.

Students must demonstrate with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below:

  • The capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information.
  • The ability to process information relevant to practice.
  • The ability to integrate, reflect on and implement theoretical knowledge in tutorials 
Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • Delivery of quality teaching relies on the understanding and application of theory in practice.
  • Graduates of accredited courses must comply with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST).
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must support the student’s ability to acquire, analyse and apply knowledge.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Make connections between academic knowledge and how this is used in teaching and learning.
Literacy (Language)

Competent English language and literacy skills are essential for professional and effective delivery of teaching content.

Students must demonstrate with or without reasonable adjustment as shown below:

  • The ability to accurately acquire information and convey appropriate messages.
  • Ability to read and comprehend a range of texts for teaching and learning purposes.
  • The capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner. 
Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey information is fundamental to teaching and learning.
  • The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for effective preparation and teaching practice.
  • Graduates of accredited courses must comply with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST).
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. 

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Convey a spoken message using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech.

Competently construct and share a range of texts including digital, written, and visual texts in a range of social contexts.

Numeracy

Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for effective delivery of teaching content.

Students must interpret and correctly apply data, measurements and numerical criteria in a range of contexts, with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • Competent application of numeracy skills is fundamental for effective delivery of teaching content.
  • Graduates of accredited courses must comply with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) requirements to be competent in the application of numeracy skills. 
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the demonstration of effective numeracy skills. 

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Demonstrate competency in applying basic mathematics knowledge and skills in everyday life and in academic tasks.
  • Demonstrate effective use of numeracy skills in matters related to student learning.
  • Apply numeracy skills to interpret and solve problems in a range of educational and academic contexts.
Information and communication technologies (ICT)

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are processes and tools that are fundamental to accessing course content, current teaching practice, and pedagogical practice.

Students must demonstrate knowledge of, and confidence in, the use of ICT in academic, professional and curriculum contexts, with or without reasonable adjustments as shown below.

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Primary) because:

  • Use of ICT is necessary to provide an effective teaching and learning environment consistent with current pedagogy.
  • Meeting these requirements is necessary for course accreditation and graduate eligibility for registration. 
Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments must enable the student to demonstrate a capacity to comprehend, interpret and apply ICT. 

Exemplars

As a student you must:

  • Utilise appropriate ICT to communicate with peers and lecturer and to gather information in accomplishing academic tasks.
  • Use ICT for accurate, responsive and diligent reports, student profiles, record keeping, lesson presentation material, curriculum plans, assessment and evaluations.
  • Use written texts including SMS and email professionally at university and during professional experience with students, children, staff, parents and the community.