Professional Practice: Pedagogical Threads

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations.

On submitting assignments, students must confirm that the work being handed in is original and their own work.

Assessment procedures will follow the policies of the UC College of Education, Health and Human Development Assessment Guidelines. The final grade will be calculated and reported using the UC Pass / Fail.

Full attendance in an allocated early childhood centre for the duration of the practicum, from at least 8.00am - 4.00pm each day, is a requirement.  Students will attend a debriefing interview with their PP lecturer after the placement concludes.  This interview will be conducted at a University of Canterbury campus or via flexible delivery mechanisms.

Formal and informal evaluation will take place in accordance with the relevant Course Evaluation policy, to provide feedback to teaching staff about the relevance and validity of what has been learned as well as the quality of course delivery.

The College undertakes a process of internal and external moderation of assessment.  This is to ensure that the assessment system is fair, equitable, consistent and manageable.

Work handed in after the due date with no extension granted is considered late. Late work will be accepted up to one week after the due date. If, for any reason, you are having difficulty in keeping to the deadline for assignments, you must make contact via email with one of the course lecturers so that we can work with you as to what is possible and reasonable. Marks will be deducted for lateness. Lecturers reserve the right not to mark late work, and no work will be accepted after assignments have been returned.

Assignments must be word processed in Times New Roman, 12 point font with a 3cm left hand margin, 1.5 line spacing, and stapled in the corner. APA format is required for references. Keep a copy of all assignments. Students must attach a completed cover sheet to all work.

Under exceptional circumstances (eg illness, accident, bereavement or critical personal circumstances) individual students may be granted an extension of the due date for an assignment.  There is, however, a limit to the length of time that an extension can be granted and this should be negotiated with the course co-ordinator in the first instance.  Extensions will not normally be given for longer than one week from the due date, unless exceptional circumstances prevail. Extensions are not granted automatically to students. Requests for extensions should be emailed to the course co-ordinator at least two working days prior to the due date for the assignment. Relevant evidence such as a medical certificate or a letter from a counsellor may be required in order for the course co-ordinator to make a decision about whether or not to grant an extension. A copy of the course co-ordinator's email confirming the extension (if granted) and any supporting documentation must be attached to and submitted with the assignment. Extensions will not normally be granted because of pressure of University study, eg several pieces of work being due at the same time. Students are encouraged to plan their work in a realistic manner and in advance so they can meet their assessment deadlines.

Resubmissions are restricted to work that is originally submitted on or before the due date. Late assignments are not normally considered for resubmission unless there are exceptional circumstances. If the student’s assignment work meets most of the criteria required to pass, they may be given the opportunity to resubmit the assignment to bring it to a passing standard. Only one resubmission is possible within the course. Students will have one week from the return of an assignment, to resubmit their work. A resubmitted assignment that meets requirements will be awarded a minimum passing grade. A resubmitted assignment that does not meet the passing standard will be awarded a ‘D’.

Where for reasons beyond their control, students are prevented from completing an assessment or suffer significant impairment, they may apply for what is known as “special consideration”. University of Canterbury Special Consideration provisions may apply to impaired performance, non-completion of assessment items, and to late discontinuation (withdrawal) from a course.

A detailed description of special consideration and materials to support the applications process are available at: Special Considerations Process.  


Generally speaking, applications for special considerations should be lodged within five working days of the due date of that assessment item. For more details on this, please refer to the Special Considerations Regulations.


This information replaces any previous references to special consideration, Aegrotat or Backdated (Late) Withdrawal in the Course Information System, Learn or Course Outlines. If you are unclear about the implications or process please discuss with your Course Coordinator or contact the Student Advice team for assistance.

As well as attending classes, it is essential that all students regularly access the course Learn site. All course information such as the course kaupapa, notices, assessment information, required and recommended readings, audio recordings of some lectures, and other teaching resources etc. will be available on this site.

For ICT help call our free call number 0508 UC IT HELP (0508 824 843) or on 03 369 5000.  Monday to  Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding public and university