Task 2 Researching a contemporary socio-cultural issue. Total word count 1800 words 50%
Students are to draw from at least two different media sources (for example online news pages, blogs, newspaper articles, TV productions, ect.) to summarise (500 words) a chosen contemporary socio-cultural issue affecting early childhood education in Australia (examples might include families in 21st century Australian society, gender, race, children’s rights or issues of Indigenous perspectives of education). They are to write a literature review (800 words) , using class readings and other academic texts, and explain how this issue affects educational outcomes for children birth-5 and reflect on the knowledge they have gained about the social issue by comparing the arguments posed by the media to the findings outlined in the literature. Students are to also include a personal reflection (500 words) discussing what new research skills they learnt from this exercise? What barriers/challenges they faced during this exercise and what methods they employed to resolve these?
Marking Criteria;
Student has included at least two different media sources to summarise a contemporary socio-cultural issue that is relevant and relates to children in the 21st century education in Australia (10 marks))
Student's literature review explains how this issue affects the educational outcomes of children and includes quality scholarly literature in their review to support their ideas. (20 marks)
Students reflection includes discussion relating to: (total 10 marks)
• the knowledge they have gained about the social issue by comparing the arguments posed by the media to the findings outlined in the literature review (2.5 marks)
• what new research skills have they learnt from this exercise?(2.5 marks)
• what barriers/challenges they faced during this exercise and what methods they employed to resolve these? 2.5 marks)
• Assignment is written using APA(6th) referencing style, correct spelling and grammar, at a graduating teacher standard. (2.5 marks)