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Study bachelor degree online with Curtin University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

This degree is designed for people seeking to attain an Initial Teacher Education qualification in order to register as a teacher in Australia and any other countries that recognise an Australian teaching qualification. Specifically, this degree provides a qualification for those intending to teach children birth to eight years of age at the early childhood level of education.Students will develop advanced critical skills, knowledge and understanding concerning best practice in education and in meeting the needs of children. Students will have four opportunities to engage in professional experience in schools and early learning centres, culminating in a final professional placement of a block one full school term in a school environment.Subjects cater for the different needs of early childhood education pre-service teachers. Subject content prepares early childhood education pre-service teachers for the profession and includes planning and programming, educational leadership, play-based learning, and understanding the diverse needs of children.Please note that this course is only available to applicants who are residing in Australia for the duration of their degree. As this course doesn’t hold CRICOS registration international students on a Student VISA are not permitted to undertake this course.

Enter the valued profession of early childhood teaching and child care. Study core subjects, professional studies and electives to be qualified to teach children aged 0-8 years in early learning centres and in junior school settings.

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)

Child Development for Educators

Supporting Literacy and Numeracy Development for Diverse Learners

The Professional Educator: Developing Teacher Identity

Creative Literacies

Educators Inquiring About the World

Performing Arts for Educators

Project-based iSTEM Education

Creating and Responding to Literature

iSTEM: Social Issues

iSTEM Education through Digital Stories

This subject was previously known as EDC151 Child Development for Educators.Situated in the context of theory and research, this subject provides an overview of typical and atypical human development from conception to adulthood across physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains. Biological and environmental influences on development are examined. Implications for contemporary educators are explored with a focus on maximizing developmental outcomes from birth through young adulthood. In addition to emphasis on knowing your students and how they learn, this subject focuses on effective engagement and interaction with parents/carers and maintaining safe school and care environments for children and adolescents. This includes developing awareness of child development services in the community.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Gain an overview of human development from conception to early adolescence. Interpret aspects of development related to age—exploring how the interactions between the child, caregivers, home and school impact children's development.

This subject introduces students to the course and the expectations of them as they develop into successful university students and future educators.
Students will explore theories of learning and position themselves as learners. This includes undertaking a language competency assessment and exploring the concept of academic integrity with its attendant expectations for research, written communication and oral presentation in academic and professional contexts.
Within the broad concept of education, the development of teacher identity will be informed by an examination of one’s own ethical and socio-cultural values with consideration of educators’ planetary citizenship; cultural diversity and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; along with an educator’s ethical and legislated professional responsibilities, including completion of necessary clearances. It also includes an exploration of personal resilience as an educator.
A key component of the subject will be establishing the Digital Professional Portfolio in which students critically reflect and gather evidence of their capabilities against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Teacher Standards) throughout the duration of the course.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Discover what the teaching profession means to you and reflect on how this might inform your teaching career. Measure your confidence in what you’ll be teaching. Maximise academic integrity, form your teaching identity, and build your portfolio.  

This subject was previously known as EDC161 Performing Arts for Educators.
This is the first of two Arts Education subjects. It introduces The Arts Learning Area subjects of Dance, Drama and Music and positions The Arts in a cultural context. The value and role of The Arts in children’s developmental growth and education is elucidated. The centrality of inquiry-based and praxis-led learning in dance, drama and music, that emphasizes creative thinking, self-expression, meaning-making and communicating ideas, is explored. Performing-arts praxis, reflection and appreciation activities provide experiential learning opportunities designed to promote personal confidence, arts literacy and presentation and communication skills in the performing arts – and for teaching. Within a lifelong learning framework, direct experience and personal investment in arts learning is intended to develop content knowledge.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Understand the value of dance, drama and music in society alongside children’s developmental growth. Inquiry-based and praxis-led learning will encourage your creative thinking, self-expression, meaning-making and ability to convey ideas. 

This subject was previously known as EDC171 Teachers Inquiring about the World.This subject provides an introduction to systematic processes of inquiry which lay the foundation for meaningful interpretation and implementation of curriculum. Students will learn the principles of inquiry and be introduced to inquiry methodologies as well as discipline specific inquiry approaches for Science and HASS. A cross-curriculum priority will be chosen as the thematic focus for the subject. This will assist students when they are selecting a global and local issue as the topic of their inquiry project. The inquiry project will require students to use and develop skills in critical and creative thinking, analysis and evaluation, problem identification and problem solving, ICT, and collaborative participation, which are important WIL skills and 21st century competenciesPlease Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Lay the foundations for meaningful interpretation and implementation of curriculum in the context of science and humantities. Seek answers to local and global social and environmental issues using various information and communication technologies.

This subject was previously known as EDC421 Transition to the Teaching Profession.All core and elective subjects must be completed before students can enrol in their final subject, EDC450 Professional Experience 4: The Internship. Students will need to contact professional.experience@curtin.edu.au requesting permission to enrol in EDC450 Professional Experience 4: The Internship. Once we have confirmation that the student has satisfied the above requirements, then the restriction will be lifted.This final subject in the suite of professional experience subjects is referred to as the Internship. It is for one full school term conducted in a full-time continuous block at the specified time. All required clearances for working with children must be valid and other subjects within the degree must be completed and passed in order to undertake the Internship. This subject provides students with the opportunity to exercise the professional skills, knowledge and attitudes in a school setting that demonstrate their classroom readiness. During this sustained professional experience, students will be required to demonstrate that they meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the Graduate Career stage. This is done through a practical and a theoretical assessment. Both the practical and theoretical assessments must be undertaken together and passed in order to pass the subject. The professional experience practical assessment requires successful completion of the Internship. The theoretical assessment is a teaching performance assessment.To view the Professional Experience Calendar, please see below:<a href="https://www.open.edu.au/-/media/degree-advice/2023-curtin-bachelor-education-internship-professional-experience-calendar" target="_blank">2023 EDC450 PE4 The Internship Calendar</a> (PDF)Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

A final subject to demonstrate your attainment of skills, knowledge and attributes as an early childhood or primary professional. Via a 10-week placement, demonstrate you can plan for and teach children with diverse backgrounds, abilities and needs.

Professional Experience 4: The Internship

This subject was previously known as EDE332 Early Childhood Literacies.
This subject is premised on an image of young children as social beings and competent communicators from birth. Students analyse theoretical perspectives underpinning teaching and learning of languages and literacy in the years from birth to age 5. Students learn approaches to establishing relationships between the literacy practices of the home and early childhood settings. The subject features a strong focus on linguistic and cultural diversity: students consider how early childhood settings can value children’s individual, social, and cultural ways of knowing to facilitate harmonious transitions and continuity of learning. Students apply observation, interpretation and assessment to documentation of children’s early communications. Students design a learning environment that enables children to access a wide range of materials and situations for communication.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore the relationship between home literacy practices and those in early childhood settings. Focus on linguistic and cultural diversity by learning to recognise children’s individual, social, and cultural ways of knowing.

Early Childhood Literacies

This subject was previously known as EDE242 Mathematics for the Early Years.
The focus of this subject is on making connections between what young children know about mathematics, what children need to know and the role of the educator in developing children’s mathematical understanding. This includes identification of children’s knowledge and developing and using assessment and intervention strategies. The subject is an introduction to social constructivist learning of mathematics and social cultural theory of learning and their application to early childhood learning environments. The subject develops educator knowledge of mathematics content areas; number, algebra, geometry, measurement and statistics and probability. There is a strong emphasis on integrating mathematics into everyday teaching.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

An introduction to social constructivist learning of maths and the social cultural theory of learning. Make connections between what children know and don't know about maths, and the role of the educator in children’s mathematical understanding.

Mathematics for the Early Years

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This subject is one of three in a suite of undergraduate Option subjects designed to prepare Initial Teacher Educators (ITE) to specialise in the teaching of Literacy and Numeracy in diverse populations. Completing three of these subjects will provide graduates with a specialisation in this area. This subject introduces literacy and numeracy as dynamic and evolving concepts and understood by individuals with a variety of learning strengths and difficulties within their particular social, cultural and historical experiences. Students will explore literacy and numeracy conventions and demands across the entire curriculum, not limited to only English and Mathematics. Students will begin to develop an awareness of the need for teachers to support opportunities for literacy and numeracy development holistically.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.
</div>

Understand literacy and numeracy as dynamic and evolving concepts. Engage with the underlying need for student comprehension of these two key areas. Learn to support development of literacy and numeracy holistically through your teaching.

This subject examines the value of play in early childhood pedagogy, and invites students to become advocates for children’s right to play. The subject explores historical and current theoretical perspectives on pedagogy and play, and offers opportunities to discuss examples of current local, national, and international play-based curriculum in learning settings from birth - 8 years. The subject emphasises planning of physical environments for play and includes a focus on the outdoors as a pedagogical space. Students will learn to plan with intent, observe, interpret, and assess children’s learning through play. Students will critically review contemporary issues impacting on time and opportunity for play, and explore possibilities for and approaches to establishing shared understandings between educators and families on the value of play in children’s learning.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Examine the value of play to become an advocate for children’s right to play. Investigate historical and current theoretical perspectives and study examples of current local, national, and international play-based curriculum in learning settings.

Pedagogical Contexts for Play

This subject is one of three undergraduate Option subjects in integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (iSTEM) offered by the School of Education. Completing all three subjects will provide a specialisation in iSTEM. This subject aims to equip students with content and pedagogical content knowledge in integrated STEM education in the context of an inquiry based approach. Students will develop, create and reflect upon a contextual problem, make explicit links to the science, mathematics and technologies curricula and 21st century learning skills. Pedagogical content knowledge will be developed by students creating and evaluating project plans and implementation approaches in a variety of educational settings as appropriate to their degree (ie ECE, Primary or Secondary).
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Consider how STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is used to tackle environmental, social, health and cultural challenges. Think about how this might be extended to teaching students. Evaluate STEM approaches in the classroom.

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