Contemporary Perspectives of Learning and Development (Research Paper Sample)

EDU20003: Contemporary Perspectives of Learning and Development
Assignment 2: Report
Word limit: 2500 (+/- 10%)
Weighting: 50%
Due date: 5pm AEDT Monday 2 October 2017 (Week 12)
After you have read this information, head over to the Q&A Assignment 2 discussion board to ask any questions and see what your peers are saying about this assignment.
Assignment overview
This assignment requires you to individually research and report on a current issue affecting children’s learning and development in Australian primary schools. This assignment will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the contemporary issues and societal influences affecting children’s development, as well as to reflect on how these issues may impact your teaching practice.
Related learning outcomes
This task is assessing your ability to demonstrate that you meet the criteria for the following unit learning outcomes:
1 Investigate and analyse contemporary issues that affect the school aged child in the 21st century
2 Appraise their own practice and its contexts in light of past and current perspectives and theories about children, childhood and education
This assignment requires you to individually research and report on a current issue affecting children’s learning and development in Australian primary schools. This assignment will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the contemporary issues and societal influences affecting children’s development, as well as to reflect on how these issues may impact your teaching practice.
Related learning outcomes
This task is assessing your ability to demonstrate that you meet the criteria for the following unit learning outcomes:
1 Investigate and analyse contemporary issues that affect the school aged child in the 21st century
2 Appraise their own practice and its contexts in light of past and current perspectives and theories about children, childhood and education.
Assignment details
Research and report on a current issue that affects children’s learning and development in Australian primary schools today (e.g. gender inequity, social media, bullying, sexuality, media, hurried childhood). You should use relevant research literature to discuss the context and impact of current inclusive education policies, and how you will deal with this issue in your teaching practice.
You should frame your report around child development theories and/or models (for example, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory). You should choose two to three theories as the base and theoretical lens/theoretical approach in which to discuss the issue and your findings. Refer to the learning materials for further support in choosing and discussing relevant theories in your report.
Ensure your report following components:
1 Executive summary: a short, sharp summary of the whole report.
2 Table of contents
3 Introduction:
1 Introduce issue and theories framing your report.
2 Rationale explaining the relevance of teachers having an understanding of these issues.
4 Findings:
3 Discusses key points of a current issue.
4 Identifies factors contributing to the issue.
5 Reports on the potential effects of the issue in relation to children’s learning and development in the primary school setting.
5 Conclusion: include recommendations.
Additional resources
The following resources will support you in completing this assignment:
* Referencing guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (this includes guidelines on how to cite and reference ACARA and ELYF).  
* Assignment support (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Research and report on a current issue that affects children’s learning and development in Australian primary schools today (e.g. gender inequity, social media, bullying, sexuality, media, hurried childhood). You should use relevant research literature to discuss the context and impact of current inclusive education policies, and how you will deal with this issue in your teaching practice.
You should frame your report around child development theories and/or models (for example, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory). You should choose two to three theories as the base and theoretical lens/theoretical approach in which to discuss the issue and your findings. Refer to the learning materials for further support in choosing and discussing relevant theories in your report.
Ensure your report following components:
1 Executive summary: a short, sharp summary of the whole report.
2 Table of contents
3 Introduction:
1 Introduce issue and theories framing your report.
2 Rationale explaining the relevance of teachers having an understanding of these issues.
4 Findings:
3 Discusses key points of a current issue.
4 Identifies factors contributing to the issue.
5 Reports on the potential effects of the issue in relation to children’s learning and development in the primary school setting.
5 Conclusion: include recommendations.
Additional resources
The following resources will support you in completing this assignment:
* Referencing guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (this includes guidelines on how to cite and reference ACARA and ELYF).  
* Assignment support (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
Submission details overview
This assignment will be submitted via Turnitin. You will find the relevant submission point below.
Please allow a 24-hour turnaround for an originality report to be generated. See the Turnitin originality reportLinks to an external site. area of Study Resources for several guides to assist with the submission process.
Assignment support
Don't forget that in addition to your eLAs who provide discipline-specific content advice, you can access the 24/7 draft writing service from YourTutor.
If you need assistance with academic feedback on a draft of your assignment task see Assignment support: YourTutor or get in touch with your eLA.
Assignment criteria
To receive maximum marks you must demonstrate clarity and understanding of the topic and offer interpretation of the issues and implications together with a very high level of scholarship.
1 Knowledge and interpretation of current perspectives, theories and issue/s affecting children’s development.
2 Critical evaluation and analysis of how contemporary theories impact personal teaching practice.
3 Appropriate selection, depth and breadth of research and analysis.
4 Academic expression and referencing.
Your work will be assessed using the following marking guide:
Criterion

No Pass

Pass 50-59%

Credit 60-69%

Distinction 70-79%

High Distinction 80-100%

Knowledge and interpretation of current perspectives, theories and issue/s affecting children’s development. (20%)

Did not meet criterion.

A current issue is identified.Basic discussion, mainly descriptive, noting key points of current issue.Has made recommendations for teaching practice.

Key points are discussed.A current issue is identified and a rationale for choice provided.

Reports on a current issue with a clear rationale for choice.Clear and concise discussions of key points including contributing factors and potential effects.

Evidence of critical reflection in rationale for choice.Concise but thoughtful discussions of key points including contributing factors and potential effects. Clear links between points, recommendations and relevant readings.

Critical evaluation and analysis of how contemporary theories impact personal teaching practice.(20%)

Did not meet criterion.

Some links to theory evident in discussion and recommendations.

Clear links between theory and practice supported by research.

A sound understanding of theory and how it relates to the issue.Clear links between theory, practice and context supported by strong examples and relevant literature.

Demonstrates insight and a deep understanding of theory and how it applies to teaching and learning in relation to the issue.

Appropriate selection, depth and breadth of research and analysis. (40%)

Did not meet criterion.

Has identified some of the contributing factors and potential effects on learning and development.Evidence of research with...