Assignment 2: Portfolio of Work / Portfolio Reflective Approaches to Educational Leadership

Course Code and Name

EDM8018 Leading in Early Childhood

Assessment Item Number and Name / Assessment Item Type

Assignment 2: Portfolio of Work / Portfolio

Due Date & Time / Length

Week 13: 22 August 2025, 11:59 PM / 3000 words
It’s important to plan your time early so you can meet the submission deadline without unnecessary stress. Establishing a weekly writing routine will help manage workload efficiently.

Marks and Weighting / Assessed Course Learning Outcomes

Marks out of 50; Weighting 50% of 100 / CLO 3, 4, 5 & 6
The weighting of this assessment signifies its central role in evaluating your leadership and reflective practice skills. Treat each section as a developmental step toward demonstrating mastery of the course learning outcomes.

Rationale

Description: Critically reflect on leadership practices
A thoughtful reflection helps to connect theory with real-world leadership actions in early childhood contexts. Engaging deeply with this rationale can enhance your ability to articulate the significance of educational leadership for children’s growth.

Overview

This Portfolio of Work consists of four interrelated items which require you to engage with leadership practices.
Developing each section will allow you to synthesize your understanding of leadership, professional development, and reflective inquiry. The portfolio encourages holistic thinking about professional identity and continuous learning.

Digital presentation
Critical reflection
Personal reflection
These components are designed to complement each other, encouraging evidence-based practice and professional introspection. Together they form a cohesive framework demonstrating your evolving leadership capacity.

Portfolio Item 1: Digital Presentation for Staff (1350 words)

In your leadership role, create a 10-minute presentation for your staff outlining the relevance of continued professional learning for their practice.
Encouraging staff engagement in lifelong learning supports innovation and improved teaching quality. Use this task to motivate and inspire your colleagues toward professional growth.

• Provide a rationale for the importance of broadening teachers’ professional knowledge to improve practice and the implications for improved learning and engagement of children.

• Identify professional learning needs through interrogating practice in relation to the APSTs and NQS.

• Highlight the importance of evaluating relevant and appropriate sources for professional learning (provide examples).

• Link learning to professional practice (provide examples).

• Support your discussion with authoritative literature. (APST: 6.1, 6.2, 6.4)

When preparing your presentation, integrate visuals that communicate clearly and appeal to diverse learning styles. Citing credible sources demonstrates academic integrity and deepens the analytical value of your argument.

Format

PowerPoint (150 words): (saved as PDF): 10–12 slides
A visually structured PowerPoint fosters clarity and coherence in your communication. Each slide should contain concise key points with supportive visuals or diagrams.

• Cover slide – name, student ID, course code, course name, assignment number and title, due date

• Body of PowerPoint

• References slide (not included in word count)

Transcript (1200 words) – WORD
A well-crafted transcript offers detailed commentary aligned with your slides and reflects thoughtful engagement with literature. Ensure coherence between spoken narrative and written rationale.

• Cover sheet – name, student ID, course code, course name, assignment number and title, due date

• Body of transcript

• References (not counted in the word count)

Portfolio Item 2: Critically Reflect on Professional Development (1350 Words)

Building on your leadership perspective of Portfolio Item One, identify learning opportunities focused on developing knowledge and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and languages from a variety of sources including external community representatives and professionals.
Engaging with Indigenous perspectives enriches educational inclusivity and cultural competence. It demonstrates ethical leadership and respect for community knowledge.

• Provide a description of at least two learning sources and the learning opportunities.

• Critically reflect upon the effectiveness of the learning opportunities and the role of the professionals/community representatives in contributing to continued professional development of early childhood educators.

Including authentic voices from Indigenous communities strengthens cultural sensitivity and supports reconciliation in education.

Based on the information gained from the learning sources, provide strategies for working effectively, sensitively, and confidentially with parents and carers to strengthen your reflection.
Support your discussion with authoritative literature. (APST: 2.4, 7.3, 7.4)

Format: WORD

• Cover sheet – name, student ID, course code, course name, assignment number and title, due date

• Body of reflection

• References (not counted in word count)

Portfolio Conclusion: Personal Reflection (300 words)

Reflect on your portfolio tasks and highlight leadership practices and strategies.
Personal reflection allows you to consolidate your growth as a leader in early childhood education. Emphasize key takeaways and how these insights will guide your future professional journey.

Acceptable AI Use Level

Level 0: No AI to be Used
Students must rely on their own knowledge and judgment to complete this task. Maintaining authenticity in your writing supports academic credibility and integrity.

Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) is not to be used in this Assessment Item beyond basic editing features (spelling, grammar, and text prediction).
Regularly saving your drafts helps safeguard against data loss and supports claims of originality if questioned.

Academic Integrity

Students should be familiar with, and abide by, UniSQ’s policy on Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct.
Understanding these principles ensures fairness, honesty, and respect within the academic community. Penalties apply for breaches of integrity.

Relevant Information and Resources

Referencing and presentation: UniSQ Academic Integrity Toolkit
Accessing these resources ensures your submission meets scholarly standards and formatting expectations.

Assessment Marking Criteria

Knowledge and comprehension: 40% / Critical analysis and evaluation: 50% / Communication and referencing: 10%
Refer to the Rubric/Marking Guide/OSCE for specific expectations.
Balanced attention to all three criteria will significantly enhance your overall performance.

Submission Information

Submit your assignment via the “Submit Assignment 2” link under the Assessment tab on the study desk.
Careful organization and correct file naming help maintain professionalism in submission.
Submit all three portfolio items individually by 11.55 pm on the due date. Once uploaded, finalize submission after reviewing all documents.

Return of Assessment Items and Feedback for Learning

Markers have three weeks from the published due date to complete marking and provide results to students.
Timely feedback offers valuable insights for improving academic performance in future assessments.

Extensions and Penalties for Late Submission

Information on extensions and late penalties can be found online.
It’s advisable to communicate early with your lecturer if unforeseen circumstances arise, ensuring fairness and transparency.