Bachelor of Education (Primary)

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year

2022 course information

Award granted Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Course Map

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2022. 

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Campus
Duration4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
VTAC Codes1400314271 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400514271 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400714271 - Warrnambool, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
CRICOS course code015204J Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool
Deakin course codeE359
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Build a solid foundation in primary curriculum and discover what it takes to teach and lead young people. Deakin’s accredited Bachelor of Education (Primary) equips you with the essential knowledge and skills required to guide children through their primary learning years. From mathematics to science, the arts to literacy. you will learn how to teach across a wide range of subjects and specialisations. Through our Professional Experience Program, you will then put into practice what you have been learning.

With the option to combine your personal interests with a range of curriculum areas, you will undertake placements that enrich and solidify your studies. As a result, you will graduate qualified to teach from prep to Year 6, with the confidence and ability to demonstrate classroom readiness and make a difference to students’ learning.

Want to inspire the next generation and make a real difference as a primary school educator?

Deakin maintains close links with the education sector to ensure our courses are developed and reviewed with input from professional educators. You will be taught by staff who have teaching experience and who are recognised as leaders and innovators in their fields. This means you can be confident that what you learn with us will be relevant to your future teaching career.

The Professional Experience Program is a key part of every Deakin teaching student’s course experience. Working with more than 1400 schools across Australia, we will arrange at least 80-days of placements for you in schools where you will learn from experienced teachers. You will also have access to specialised teaching spaces on campus to help you prepare for classroom teaching.

Choose a specialisation and develop advanced skills in a priority area of the primary curriculum, such as:

  • health and physical education
  • languages
  • language and literacy
  • mathematics and numeracy
  • science.

You can select the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) option and complete some of your placements in IBPYP schools, differentiating yourself from other graduates. This Deakin course is the only undergraduate teacher education program in Victoria to be accredited with the International Baccalaureate Organisation and to offer a recognised pathway for teaching in the IB Primary Years Programme.

Give your studies a different perspective and take part in our Global Education Program*. You will get to experience remote communities in Australia and abroad, while gaining credit towards your degree. Learn about Aboriginal culture while teaching in remote communities in the Northern Territory, head to countries including Vietnam and Switzerland to learn about intercultural education, or complete a placement via our Rural Placement Program.

Before beginning your studies, prospective teaching students need to successfully complete the CASPer test – an online, video scenario-based test that lets you demonstrate your suitability for a teaching career.

* Overseas study programs to be confirmed in 2022 and beyond, subject to government travel restrictions.

Indicative student workload

Typically 150-hours of learning and assessment activities per Deakin credit point (as per AQF Explanation).

Professional recognition

Deakin’s Bachelor of Education (Primary) is accredited with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as a nationally accredited course. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to register with VIT as a registered educator.

Career opportunities

Studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) will equip you with the skills and knowledge for a successful career in education. Upon graduation you’ll be ready to teach in primary schools within the government, Catholic or independent education sectors. Graduates may also find work in other fields including:

  • community services
  • government agencies
  • not-for-profit organisations.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Professional Experience Placement

Any unit which contains work-integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.

Students are required to apply for a Working with Children Check. Apply online as a volunteer.

For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience office.

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Pathways

Don’t quite meet the entry requirements for this course? The Associate Degree of Education (E200) can be used as a guaranteed entry pathway into the Bachelor of Education (Primary) and counts as credit towards your first year of study*. You’ll gain a solid foundation of relevant knowledge and be ready to transition seamlessly into your goal degree.

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) provides an approved pathway from the Associate Degree of Education (E200)*. On successful completion of the Associate Degree of Education students are eligible to articulate (or pathway) into the Bachelor of Education (Primary) into the second year of the course. 

Applicants who have completed the Advanced Diploma of Rudolph Steiner Education may articulate into the Bachelor of Education (Primary). Applicants are advised to contact the Faculty (details above) for course advice and credit arrangements.

All Applicants into E359 Bachelor of Education (Primary) must complete an additional selection tool for non-academic attributes. Deakin University is using the Casper test. Casper is an online, video-scenario based situational judgement test, designed to measure non-academic suitability for teaching.

* Specific units of study must be completed within E200 for full credit to be granted. You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System. We recommend speaking with one of our student advisers before selecting your units. Students are also required to successfully complete the Casper test – an online, video scenario-based test that lets you demonstrate your suitability for a teaching career – as part of the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Education (Primary).

Contact Hours

For each unit of study, you are expected to participate in at least three hours of formal contact each week of trimester. A minimum of 6-hours of study time in addition to the formal contact is also expected for each unit each week.

You will complete a minimum of 80-days supervised school experience over the duration of the course, providing hands-on experience in a primary school setting.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as photocopying or travel.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities

Acquire broad and coherent theoretical knowledge and understanding of education and the application of this knowledge and skills in teaching and learning, particularly for primary school contexts 

Communication

Engage in appropriately diverse effective interpersonal, oral, written, digital and non-verbal communication with students, their parents or caregivers, colleagues and other stakeholders to demonstrate empathy, develop rapport and build professional teacher/ student/ parent/ caregiver relationships with trust for quality learning and teaching. 

Digital literacy

Select, collect, use and create a range of digital teaching and learning resources and technologies to support student engagement and learning. 

Critical thinking

Critically evaluate and synthesise contemporary research and theoretical perspectives relating to teaching, student learning, and using diverse assessment data to make judgments about the use of appropriate teaching, learning and assessment strategies. 

Problem solving

Critically reflect on professional practice to generate creative, innovative and authentic solutions to a range of real-world problems encountered in the learning and teaching contexts and professional learning communities. 

Self-management

Actively work and learn independently with responsibility taken for professional actions and judgements 

Teamwork

Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals, families and members of the wider community who share responsibility for student learning and their wellbeing. 

Global citizenship

Engage in professional, intercultural and ethical approaches that addresses social justice, equity, diversity, and sustainability issues.

Approved by Faculty Board

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Education (Primary), students must complete 32 credit points of study as follows:

  • 26 core units;
  • 4 credit points of primary subject specialisation
  • 2 credit points of electives
  • AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • No more than 10 credit points of units at level 1
  • A minimum of 10 credit points of units at level 3 or above

This course includes 80-days of supervised professional experience, and students must successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment (DTPA)*. This must be complete in the final year of study.  Successful completion of this course indicates that a student has met the expected standard of performance for each of the Graduate Teacher Standards.

Students are also required to complete two zero (0) credit point units ELN010 and ELN011 as part of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in order to graduate from their course.

Students are required to meet academic progress and conduct requirements.

Contact Student Services for further unit enrolment advice.

* Students who do not pass the DTPA must seek advice from the course director.

Course structure

Core Units

Year 1

ELN010Australian Literacy Test (zero (0) credit points)

ELN011Australian Numeracy Test (zero (0) credit points)

ECL101Understanding Early Reading Development

EES102Foundations of Science Knowledge and Practice

ETP101Perspectives On Learning and Teachers' Work

ETP102Social Contexts of Education

EEO101Humanities Through Experiential Pedagogy

SIT106Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics

ECA100Engaging and Exploring Arts Education

EEH116Primary Physical Education

Year 2

ECL210Multiliterate Learners in Early Years Environments

EEH217Student Health and Wellbeing

ESM211Children and Mathematics: Developing Mathematical Concepts

ETP200Classroom Relationships

IND202Australian Indigenous Education: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation

EES245Primary Science Education 1

Plus:

  • 2 credit points of specialisation units from the table below;

Year 3

ESM310Teachers and Mathematics: Creating An Effective Classroom

ETP300Educating Students with Additional Needs

ETP303Curriculum and Pedagogy

ECL310Multiliterate Learners in Middle Years Environments

EEA311Primary Arts Education: Focussed Study

Plus:

  • 2 x 1 credit point elective units (IB PYP or Inclusive Education pathway students take specific elective units)
  • 1 credit point specialisation unit from the table below;

Year 4

EEO410Humanities Inquiry Pedagogy

ECL410Literacy Teacher - Researchers in New Times

EES440Primary Science Education 2

ESM410Professional Practice and Mathematics: Designing An Inclusive Program

EST400Primary Technology Education: Creativity and Design

ETP400Assessment: Ways of Knowing Learners

ETP403University-To-Work Transition

Plus:

  • 1 credit point specialisation unit:

ECP400Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community

Electives

In your course you have two electives. These can be made up by completing the IB PYP option, the Inclusive Education option OR a combination of two units from the recommended electives listed below.

You will be able to deepen your studies in your chosen specialisation or develop breadth through pursuing studies in other area(s) of interest. However you are not limited to this list for your electives.

IB PYP Teaching and Learning Certificate

If you would like to be eligible to apply for the IB PYP Teaching and Learning Certificate from the IBO, in addition to your core coursework you will need to successfully complete

  • two elective units:

EEG402Teaching in a Global World

ECL307Introduction to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP)

  • your two x Yr 3 Professional Experience placements in IB PYP schools.

Inclusive Education Elective Sequence

If you would like to complete the Inclusive Education sequence, you will need to successfully complete

  • two elective units:

EEI202Communication and Diverse Learners

ECE404Inclusive Education for Young Children

  • You will be supported to focus on inclusive education practices during your Year 3 Professional Experience placements

Recommended Electives

These recommended electives have been clustered in discipline areas but you may select from two different disciplines. 

Health and Physical Education

EEH301Nutrition, Growth and Development for Health Educators

EEH315Teaching Sexuality and Relationship Education

Humanities

EEG302Place, Culture and Teaching in a Global Context

EEG402Teaching in a Global World

ASP216Ethics in Global Society

Indigenous Knowledges

IND101Introduction to Aboriginal Studies

IND102Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines

IND301Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia

Languages

Concurrent enrolment in a Diploma of Languages with up to two credit points given for two electives on evidence of completion.

Language and Literacy

ECL350Teaching EAL/D Students

ALC104Media Genres: Negotiating Textual Forms and Pleasures

ALL154Power and Politics in Children's Literature

ALM101Making Social Media

Mathematics and Numeracy

SIT190Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs

SIT191Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis

SIT192Discrete Mathematics

SIT194Introduction to Mathematical Modelling

Science

EES301Digital Technologies: Programming and Robotics

Special Educational Needs

EDU201Educational Psychology

EEI302Introduction to Creative Arts Therapy Approaches and Practices

HDS106Diversity, Disability and Social Inclusion

Visual Arts

EEI302Introduction to Creative Arts Therapy Approaches and Practices

ACV101Painting in the Visual Arts

ACV115Drawing and the Body in Visual Arts

Specialisations

Primary Specialisation

Specialisation Unit 1

Specialisation Unit 2

Specialisation Unit 3

Specialisation Unit 4

(commencing 2020)

Health and Physical Education

SP-E359007

(quotas apply)

EEH203Sport and Exercise Practice

HBS110Health Behaviour

EEH302Health and Physical Education in the Curriculum

ECP400Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community

Languages

SP-E359008

Diploma of Languages units^

Diploma of Languages units^

ECL306Teaching and Learning Languages in Primary Contexts *

ECP400Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community

Language and Literacy

SP-E359002

ALL153Literature for Children and Young Adults

ALL230Adapting Children's Texts Across Media

ECL351Diversity, Language and Literacy

ECP400Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community

Mathematics and Numeracy

SP-E359001

SIT176Mathematical Reasoning and Investigation

ESM215Problem Solving, Modelling and Mathematical Applications

ESM303Primary Mathematics Lesson Study

ECP400Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community

Science

SP-E359003

SLE111Cells and Genes

OR

SLE133Chemistry in Our World

OR

SLE103Ecology and the Environment

SLE123Physics for the Life Sciences

EES300Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

ECP400Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community

*This unit is not offered in 2022, it will be re-offered in 2023

^ Deakin has four options for languages study: Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish:
Concurrent enrolments in A221 Diploma of Arabic or A222 Diploma of Chinese, or A223 Diploma of Indonesian, or A224 Diploma of Spanish or equivalent with up to 4 credit points of RPL are given upon the completion. Completion of 3 units from any of A221 or A222 or A223 or A224 and enrolment in one further unit of A221, A222, A223 or A224 or equivalent are pre-requisite for ECL306. The Diploma can be undertaken concurrently with another course and is of 3-years part time duration with eight credit points. There are two options for each Diploma: i) for students with no background in the language; or ii) an advanced study for those with Year 12 level (or equivalent) in the language.

Work experience

WIL is undertaken under the banner of Professional Experience Placements; however, it is important to note the other activities that have been undertaken throughout the review period that contribute to WIL outcomes. Students in ECL410 and EES440 complete these units through an embedded school-based delivery model to support the application of knowledge in practice and with the support of classroom-based teachers.

These experiences are supplementary to the 80-days of required professional experience and is organised by the Unit Teams.


Professional Experience Placement

Students are required to apply for a Working with Children Check. Apply online as a volunteer at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/.

For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience office.

Course duration - additional information

Delays in completing the placement could mean that the course will take longer to complete than the stated duration.

International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Other learning experiences

Pre-service teachers from the Bachelor of Education (Primary) have opportunities to complete their third year placement or a component in the elective unit EEG302 – Place, Culture and Teaching in a Global Context. Eligibility for a GEP is restricted to students who have successfully completed a local practicum and are in at least the third year of their four year degree.