Module Details

Module Code: PRAC
Module Title: Alternatives in Professional Practice
Title: Alternatives in Professional Practice
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Eileen Doyle
Module Author:: Tracy Whyte
Domains:  
Module Description: This module aims to provide learners with an opportunity to broaden their personal and professional development by undertaking situated learning in an alternative or non-practice setting in the wider community.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Summarise the profile of their alternative practice placement
LO2 Discuss the contributions of their alternative practice setting to children, families, communities, co-professionals or wider society
LO3 Evaluate the relationship of their alternative practice setting to national policy
LO4 Critically reflect on their experiences in the alternative practice setting and how it has impacted their personal and professional development
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Profile and contributions of the alternative practice setting
• Ethos, aims and functions • Activities, projects, interventions, research outputs • Impact on individuals or groups • Impact on policy • Impact in the wider local, national and international context
Individual and group critical reflection on the experience
Critically reflect on the impact of the experience, as an individual, and through group sharing of experiences. Areas for reflection include, but are not limited to: • Síolta Standard 16-Community Involvement • Rationale for choice of placement • How the experience has informed your practice as an early childhood educator • Research skills • Critical thinking skills • Interpersonal skills and collaboration • Capacity to share and exchange information • Exercising self determination and agency • Engagement in joint learning • Involvement in networking • Understanding of inter-agency cooperation • Understanding of policy and governance • Advocacy in relation to children, family, communities or co-professionals • Advocacy of children's rights • Motivation for continuous professional development post-graduation
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 100
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Learners are assessed via three components. components are i) Mandatory attendance at pre- and post- placement workshops; ii) A ‘Pass’ recommendation in relation to professional practice; iii) A mark of not less than 40% in their portfolio work.
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.
Reassessment Description
Learners who do not achieve some or all of the module components shall be provided with one repeat opportunity in the next academic year, where IT Carlow is satisfied with the learner’s fitness and preparedness to do so.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Tutorial Contact Pre and post placement workshops 12 Weeks per Stage 0.67 8
Work - based Learning Contact Block 100 hours placement in Semester 8 12 Weeks per Stage 8.33 100
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 9.47 142
Total Weekly Contact Hours 9.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Work - based Learning Contact Work based learners are encouraged to engage in alternative or non-practice placements where possible. Work based learners who cannot feasibly commit to 100 hours in an alternative or non-practice context are required to participate in 3 peer learning visits to ECEC settings in lieu of the alternative practice placement. 12 Weeks per Stage 22.08 265
Total Weekly Contact Hours 25.08
 
Module Resources
This module does not have any book resources
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Learners are expected to carry out independent research in relation to the context of their alternative practice placement. Research.
  • Relevant journal articles based on current practice in Ireland and internationally. Journals.
Other Resources
Discussion Note: Students may undertake their alternative practice in any of the following contexts, either working directly with children, families and early childhood professionals, or on their behalf:

• Advocacy
• Arts
• Children’s Rights
• Childhood Illness
• Children in Direct Provision
• County Childcare Committees
• Disability
• Early Intervention
• Early Childhood Sector Support
• Educational Needs
• Family- Parenting
• Literacy, Numeracy, Science and Technology in Childhood
• Minority Groups
• Policy Development
• Quality Development
• Regulatory bodies
• Research
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Social Inclusion