ObjectivesThe Graduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning) is an exciting and innovative program, designed to prepare teachers and educators to work with young people in secondary schools, TAFE and Adult and Community Education (ACE) agencies. This course was developed in response to the changes now underway in education programs that provide young people between the ages of 14 and 19 years with the knowledge, skills and values for a range of further study and employment pathways. These changes include the introduction of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS); the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL); VET in schools; and other Enterprise Education and Applied Learning programs in the lower and middle secondary school years. The course takes a very ‘applied' approach, with much of the learning taking place in education and training workplaces such as schools, TAFE colleges, ACE agencies, youth support agencies and vocationally relevant workplaces. You are required to complete a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching experience over the duration of the course. The course will particularly interest professionals and trade-qualified people considering teaching as a career change and who have applied and vocational qualifications and skills in: * Technology studies, such as design and technology, food and technology and systems and technology; * Vocational Education and Training (VET), such as agriculture, automotive, building and construction, business administration, Cisco, community services, clothing products, dance, desktop publishing, electronics, engineering, equine industry, financial services, fitness, food processing (wine), food technology, furnishing, horticulture, hospitality (operations), information technology, laboratory skills, multimedia, music industry, retail operations, seafood industry, small business practice, sport and recreation; * Applied studies, such as arts, science, mathematics, English, careers, information technology, media, music, environmental studies, social studies, student welfare, visual communication.
Entry requirementsSelection is via written application including a 500 word personal statement outlining why you have applied for the course. The course team will be looking to select participants who demonstrate clear interest and commitment to working with young people who are making the transition through adolescence into their young adult years. Applicants who have experience (and enjoy) working with young people in an employment, recreation or community capacity will be regarded favourably. Applicants with a three-year Bachelor degree or an equivalent approved Advanced Diploma will meet the minimum entry requirements. Entrants must also satisfy the Victorian Institute of Teaching guidelines for at least two secondary specialist teaching areas. Preference will be given to applicants who meet these guidelines for at least one of Technology Studies or VET in addition to Art, Careers, English, Information Technology, Mathematics, Media, Music, Environmental Studies, Science, Studies of Society and Environment, Student Welfare and Visual Communication & Design (Graphic Communication). The course team will also assess all applications in consultation with staff at the VIT prior to an offer for a place being made. Pathway option Applicants with trade or other-equivalent VET-qualifications which do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the course may be offered a place in the course via the Pathway Option. Applicants taking the Pathway Option will be advised about upgrading their qualifications in their specialist teaching areas to an approved Advanced Diploma or degree level. Those who accept the Pathway Option, will be given priority for a place in the Graduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning) upon successful completion of the Option's requirements, as negotiated with the VIT and Deakin's course team. Literacy requirements The minimum literacy requirement for registration as a teacher is year 12 English or equivalent. Potential applicants who do not meet this requirement will be provided with literacy assessment and advice prior to commencing the course. In addition to minimum entry requirements, International students for whom English is not their first language are required to have an overall IELTS score of at least 7.
Academic titleGraduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning)
Course descriptionProfessional recognition
Graduates of the course will qualify for a degree in secondary teaching which will be eligible to apply for teacher registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), and other state teacher registration boards in Australia.
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course will be eligible to apply for registration as a secondary teacher (from junior to year 12 level, including VCE and VCAL), with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and will therefore be able to teach across Australia and in other countries where there is mutual recognition of VIT teacher registration agreements in place. Other avenues of employment for graduates include positions within the employment sector such as group training companies, new apprenticeship centres and employment support agencies, as well as in career and vocational counselling.
Course rules
To be awarded the Graduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning) a student must satisfactorily complete 8 credit points of study taken from the list of course-grouped units leading to the award.
The course of study shall normally be completed within a period of not less then one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. Extensions of time may be granted with the permission of the Faculty Board which must not exceed five consecutive years from the date the student first enrolled in the course.
The course of study shall include satisfactory completion of at least 45 days of supervised school experience taken in a combination of secondary schools, TAFE and/or ACE work placements but at least 23 of these days must be taken in a secondary school.
Students are also required to complete 15 days of 'voluntary professional engagement', which may be undertaken without supervision but must domonstrate contructive contribution to the profession of teaching.
In addition to the units in the course, students in the course are also required to have completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA) as a co-requisite for graduation. Although Deakin does not deliver the Certificate IV (TAA), students will be offered the option to complete it by taking advantage of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) arrangements negotiated by Deakin with a suitable Registered Training Provider (RTP).
Course structure
Note: Students enrolled prior to 2007 should contact the enrolment officer for course advice
Trimester 1
ECJ721 Introduction to Teaching in the Middle Years (G)
ECJ722 Applied Learning in the Middle Years (G)
EEJ724 Teaching for Pathways Into Tertiary Study (G)
EEE721 Youth Culture and Learning Pathways (G)
EEY705 Secondary Placement (G)
EEY707 Applied Learning Placement (G)
Trimester 2
ECJ723 Applied Learning in the Postcompulsory Education and Training Sector (G)
EEJ735 Teachers and Youth Literacy and Numeracy Engagement (G)
EEE723 Partnership Development for Applied and Vocational Learning Programs (G)
EEY706 Applied Learning Placement (G)
EEY708 Secondary Placement (G)
EXE702 Becoming a Teacher in the 21st Century: the Personal, Professional and Political Challenges (G)
Notes:
(i) Applied Learning placements (EEY706 and EEY707) may be undertaken at either Secondary schools or alternate settings ie. TAFE, ACE
(ii) All units are 1 credit point unless otherwise noted
(iii) EEE721, EEJ724, EEJ735 and EEE723 are 0.75 credit point units
(iv) EEY705, EEY706, EEY707 and EEY708 are 0.25 credit point units
Other fees
The costs associated with meeting the requirements for units of competence from the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and OH&S units relevant to the graduate's VET teaching area(s), are not covered in the Graduate Diploma of Education (Applied Learning) fees. Students needing to complete this requirement will need to enrol separately with a TAFE college or other Registered Training Provider.
Delivery and location
The course takes a very 'applied' approach with much of the learning taking place in education and training workplaces.
The course will be conducted on a mixed-mode delivery model which combines on-campus workshops, off campus online study and a major component of work-based experiential learning in community youth learning sites such as schools, TAFE colleges, ACE agencies and vocationally relevant workplaces.
The on-campus aspects of the course (approximately 10 weeks annually for a full time enrolment) will be delivered at the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds in blocks of 1 to 2 weeks.
Program length and structure
The program is comprised of 10 weeks of on-campus tutorials and workshops commencing with a two week introductory Summer School in February. Other on-campus intensives will be conducted at mid trimester and end of trimester. In between the on-campus tutorial workshop intensives students will be engaged at their work-based learning sites including applied learning teaching experience for a total of 20 weeks. Typically, students may spend an average of 3 days per week on site and will use the other 2 days per week for study, assignment preparation and Deakin Studies Online (DSO) contact.
Teaching methods
During each Work-based Learning week students will be located in the school, TAFE institute or ACE agency to complete their Applied Learning Teaching Experience. These work-based learning placements are typically completed as blocks of 10 and 15 days but may also be completed as three-days-per-week work placement where this can be arranged by the student support staff. When students are not undertaking their work-based learning placements they will continue their study online and will be connected to other students and the academic staff course group through Deakin Studies Online (DSO). Through DSO, students and staff will communicate on the development of their action research projects, other assessment tasks and on their study and teaching progress generally. Unit assessments will reflect these tasks including the quality of each student's DSO participation.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Selection is via written application including a 500 word personal statement outlining why you have applied for the course. The course team will be looking to select participants who demonstrate clear interest and commitment to working with young people who are making the transition through adolescence into their young adult years. Applicants who have experience (and enjoy) working with young people in an employment, recreation or community capacity will be regarded favourably.
Applicants with a three-year Bachelor degree or an equivalent approved Advanced Diploma will meet the minimum entry requirements. Entrants must also satisfy the Victorian Institute of Teaching guidelines for at least two secondary specialist teaching areas. Preference will be given to applicants who meet these guidelines for at least one of Technology Studies or VET in addition to Art, Careers, English, Information Technology, Mathematics, Media, Music, Environmental Studies, Science, Studies of Society and Environment, Student Welfare and Visual Communication & Design (Graphic Communication). The course team will also assess all applications in consultation with staff at the VIT prior to an offer for a place being made.
Pathway option
Applicants with trade or other-equivalent VET-qualifications which do not meet the minimum entry requirements for the course may be offered a place in the course via the Pathway Option. Applicants taking the Pathway Option will be advised about upgrading their qualifications in their specialist teaching areas to an approved Advanced Diploma or degree level. Those who accept the Pathway Option, will be given priority for a place in the Graduate Diploma of Education(Applied Learning) upon successful completion of the Option's requirements, as negotiated with the VIT and Deakin's course team.
Literacy requirements
The minimum literacy requirement for registration as a teacher is year 12 English or equivalent. Potential applicants who do not meet this requirement will be provided with literacy assessment and advice prior to commencing the course.
In addition to minimum entry requirements, International students for whom English is not their first language are required to have an overall IELTS score of at least 7.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
Applications must be made directly to the university through the Applicant Portal referring to closing dates for applications as dates for particular courses may vary.
Your faculty may require further information from you when submitting your application. Please refer to the faculty information website for further details.
Applied Learning Teaching Experience requirements
Students are required, for employment purposes and for award of the degree, to complete a minimum of 45 days of supervised teaching experience over the duration of their course. Of the 45 days, 25 days must be completed in a secondary school setting, with the remaining 20 days undertaken in secondary schools or alternate settings such as TAFE and ACE.
Students should ensure that they are conversant with the Standards for Graduating Students as required by the Victorian Institute of Teaching. The School Experience Office will provide students with an Applied Learning Teaching Experience Handbook, which is updated annually and is a summary of Faculty requirements in relation to teaching experience.
Students are strongly encouraged to consider a placement in regional Victoria; the School Experience Office will assist in the facilitation of regional placements where possible.
In addition to 45 days of supervised placement, the Graduate Diploma of Education(Applied Learning) also requires students to complete a minimum of 15 additional days of professional learning experience that demonstrates constructive contribution to the profession. These 15 days are not required to be supervised and could typically involve undertaking volunteer work with youth oriented organisations or attending relevant in-service programs such as professional conferences and workshops.
Working with Children Check
The Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic.) requires a person who engages in child-related work, as defined in the Act, to obtain an assessment notice under the Act, known as a Working with Children Check (WWCC). The Act is administered by the Department of Justice: justice.vic.gov.au
School experience placements in schools in the course of a university degree are “child-related work”. Under the Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic.), administered by the Department of Justice, a student teacher must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) before commencing school experience placements in a school. The WWCC must remain current throughout the course. It is an offence under the Act to engage in school experience without holding a WWCC.
Students will not be allowed to commence school experience in any school in Victoria until a Working with Children Check is obtained. The Department of Education has requested that on the application form a student nominates the University as the (or one of the) employers. The University will then be sent a copy of the assessment notice. Because the University needs to assure a school that a student placed at the school has a current Working with Children Check, each student must give their authority to provide the assurance - a student will be required to sign an authority for the University to inform a school that a WWCC has or has not been obtained.
While the University will hold on file documentation relating to the WWCCs obtained by students engaged in school experience, it is each student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she can produce the WWCC card to the school upon request and to keep the WWCC current under the Act.
Students are required to apply for a WWCC through a participating Australia Post outlet (which can be found on the Australia Post website or the Department of Justice website) and provide proof to the faculty that the WWCC has been undertaken.
Should a student fail to obtain a WWCC, practical training in a school will not be provided, and as practical training is a requirement for completion of a teaching degree, the student may be unable to complete the degree. Should such a situation arise, the University will provide advice on options for tertiary study.
It is the responsibility of students undertaking placements outside Victoria to enquire about and, where necessary, to meet any similar legislative or other requirements concerning working with children.
School Experience requirements
School experience is organised by the School Experience Office and students do not make contact with schools regarding placements under any circumstances.
Students should note that it is a requirement of the course that school experience is undertaken in conjunction with their curriculum studies and Education major studies and during the timetabled dates unless, in exceptional circumstances, alternative arrangements are negotiated and agreed to in writing with the School Experience Office. Students should also note that normally any paid or unpaid work undertaken in a school as an unqualified teacher/teacher’s aide will not be recognised for credit as recognised prior learning in supervised school experience for this course.
A satisfactory level of teaching competence during supervised school experience is required for award of the degree. An ’unsatisfactory’ result on any school experience placement will be referred to the Faculty Academic Progress and Discipline Committee.
Graduates of an accredited teaching course should note that teacher registration is required in Victoria and is administered by the Victorian Institute of Teaching under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic.). Prospective students should acquaint themselves with the requirements for registration in Victoria or in any other relevant location. These requirements include the ability to satisfy the Standards for Graduating Students (available at: vit.vic.edu.au
Applied Learning Teaching Experience enrolment
Students need to carefully follow the instructions correctly when enrolling or re-enrolling online in school experience units. Failure to enrol or re-enrol correctly jeopardises a student’s school experience placement and this could lead to a delay in the award of the degree. Students must follow Faculty rules in relation to the number of days of school experience to be completed for each placement as per the School Experience Handbook (available from the campus of enrolment) which includes the published school experience timetable. Students should note that a ‘day’ constitutes a whole school day (not part thereof).
Students should obtain a copy of the School Experience Handbook each year from the School Experience Office (also available at deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/education/schoolexp ). Information contained in the handbook is updated annually and is a summary of Faculty rules in relation to school experience.
Applied Learning Teaching Experience units
EEY705 Secondary Placement (G)
10 days
EEY706 Applied Learning Placement (G)
10 days
EEY707 Applied Learning Placement (G)
10 days
EEY708 Secondary Placement (G)
15 days
Note: Applied Learning placements (EEY706 and EEY707) may be undertaken at either secondary schools or alternate settings, ie. TAFE or ACE.