Course Title: Designing Early Childhood Learning Spaces

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Designing Early Childhood Learning Spaces

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
TCHE2537	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	360H Education	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2017, Sem 1 2021
TCHE2537	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	360H Education	Internet	Sem 2 2016

Course Coordinator: Rachel Chapman

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7923

Course Coordinator Email: rachel.chapman@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 220.02.18

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

The impact of the physical environment in early childhood education settings is increasingly recognised. In this course you will examine research findings that highlight how the designed environment influences relationships, learning and well-being. This includes principles of design that have been developed in early childhood education approaches like Reggio Emilio, Steiner and the forest schools. Cross disciplinary research also suggests that architects and environmentalists have a role to play in developing high quality children’s space. You will explore a conceptual approach to providing spaces that reflect the educational philosophy of the setting. You will also consider how the curriculum is articulated and how regulations and policies can support the development of high quality education and care systems.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes in this course:
- Develop and apply theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to your professional practice and development in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
- Critically analyse, synthesize and reflect on educational policy and practice in both local and international contexts.
- Demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and innovation when identifying and solving problems in diverse educational contexts.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- develop and design an appropriate physical environment that foster children’s learning
- apply principles of design from an early childhood education approaches that promote integrated learning
- review and analyse approaches to maximise the potential use of space to promote children’s learning and aesthetic development.

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face to face and online such as lectures, tutorials, group and class discussion, group activities and individual research.

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.   If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the Program Manager or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.   The statement of student responsibilities  summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers. www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/student-responsibilities   Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described online at: www.rmit.edu.au/staff/our-rmit/policies/academic-research