Assessment 1 - Creative Visual Ethnography Portfolio

Weighting: 50%

Due Date: Thursday 16th April 11:45 pm AEST (week 6)

Word Count: 1800 words 

Task Type: Individual task

Format: Flexible – choose a platform that suits your creativity (e.g., Canva, Padlet, PowerPoint, Book Creator or similar).
Font: Any font, minimum size 12

Referencing: APA7 style. Minimum 10 sources from the unit’s materials and e-reading list on Moodle. All internet-sourced images must also be referenced.

GenAI Use: Level 3 for drafting and refinement 
Submission Guidelines

This assessment will be explained further during tutorials. Please attend tutorials, watch the recordings and review all materials provided in Moodle.

Submit your assessment through Moodle only. Email submissions will not be accepted.
Drafts will not be reviewed or marked by the lecturer.
All components must be submitted in one document, including the reference list and any required links.
 

Photos, videos or voices of children must not be included in this task.

Task Description

In this individual task, you will apply the research methodology of visual ethnography to examine two learning environments (play spaces):

One located in a public space
One in an early learning service (or use high-quality internet images if access is not possible).
Your goal is to analyse these spaces to identify the affordances for play opportunities and how they reflect the principles outlined in the Early Childhood Australia Statement on Play (2023), with particular emphasis on Principle Six: The Role of Adults.

You will document and interpret the spaces creatively, then analyse how their design supports play and aligns with the ECA principles. Consider the following guiding questions:

How does the space recognise children’s agency?
How does it enable open-ended play and support participation?
How does it promote motor development?
How does it afford opportunities for imaginative play, physical play, play with peers, and solitary play?
How does it support friendships and social–emotional development?
What is the role of adults in these spaces, and how do they influence children’s play experiences?
 

Creative Approach:

You are encouraged to explore arts-based and digital methods to document and interpret the spaces. This can include:

Photography and Collage: Combine original photos with creative layouts or digital montages.
Sketches and Artistic Renderings: Hand-drawn or digital sketches, watercolour impressions, or symbolic representations.
Mixed-Media Journal: Integrate drawings, reflective writing, and visual notes.
AI-Assisted Visualisation: Use generative AI tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Firefly, DALL·E) to create artistic interpretations of the spaces. 
Acknowledgement required: Mention any AI use at the start of your submission and in the reference list.
Soundscapes or Short Video Clips: Capture ambient sounds or create a short film montage to complement your visual ethnography.
Creative Mapping: Transform pathway mapping into an abstract or conceptual artwork that reflects movement and interaction in the space.
 

Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Visit Two Play Spaces

One in a public space (that you physically visit)
One in an early learning service (or use internet images if access is not possible)
2. Document the Spaces Creatively

Use photos, sketches, drawings, journal entries, film clips, signs, symbols, and mapping of pathways.
Artistic interpretations and AI-generated visuals are welcome (with acknowledgement).
3. Analyse the Spaces

Focus on how the design and affordances support:

Children’s agency
Open-ended play and participation
Motor development
Imaginative and social play
Friendships and social-emotional skills
Role of adults (Principle Six of the ECA Statement on Play)
 

4. Create Your Portfolio

Present your work as a photo essay, poster display, digital portfolio, or mixed-media collage.
Include an 1800-word analytical statement that explains your interpretation and analysis, supported by unit readings and APA7 referencing.
 

Important information:

Word count for this assignment: 1800 words maximum

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text citations and direct quotations.

AI: level 3
You may use AI to assist with this task, such as drafting text, refining, and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content.
Any misuse or failure to disclose information regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. 
Disclosure: Include a short note on your assessment cover page listing any AI tools used, which sections they were used in, and how they were used. Also, list the AI tool(s) in your reference list, following APA 7 style.
 

72-Hour Extension

The 72-Hour grace period applies to this assessment 

If you need longer than 72 hours, you'll still need to use the normal Assessment Extension System process.

No photos, videos or voices of children 

To ensure ethical and legal compliance, photos, videos, or voice recordings of children must not be included in this task. Please use only de‑identified materials, written observations, diagrams, or descriptions that do not reveal a child’s identity.

Assessment criteria

1. Quality and Creativity of Visual Ethnographic Documentation 

Effectively and ethically documents two play spaces using creative, multimodal or arts‑based methods.

Demonstrates originality and thoughtful interpretation through visuals (e.g., photography, sketches, collage, mapping, AI‑generated imagery).

Shows clear attention to detail, composition, and purpose in representing the spaces.

All images comply with ethical requirements (no photos, videos, or voices of children).

2. Analysis of Play Affordances and Space Design 

Provides a deep and insightful analysis of how each space supports children’s play, agency, participation, motor development, imagination, and social–emotional learning.

Demonstrates clear links between visual evidence and analytical interpretation.

Critically evaluates the role of adults in relation to Principle Six of the ECA Statement on Play (2023).

Shows understanding of how play environments shape learning relationships, interactions, and opportunities.

3. Application of Theory and Scholarly Literature 

Integrates at least 10 scholarly sources from the unit’s materials and e‑reading list.

Uses relevant early childhood theories, play principles, and visual ethnography methodology to support analysis.

Shows strong alignment with the ECA Statement on Play (2023), especially regarding adult roles.

Demonstrates critical thinking, synthesis of ideas, and well‑supported academic argumentation.

4. Communication, Structure, and Academic Presentation 

Presents work in a clear, cohesive, and engaging portfolio format (e.g., Canva, Padlet, PowerPoint, Book Creator).

Includes an 1800‑word analytical statement that is well‑organised, clearly written, and logically structured.

Uses APA7 referencing consistently for all text citations, image citations, and sources.

Visual and written elements are integrated smoothly to create a coherent narrative.

All required components are included in one single submission.

5. Ethical and Responsible Use of GenAI Tools

Discloses all AI tools used, how they were used, and which sections were generated or refined with AI (Level 3 use).

Demonstrates critical evaluation and adaptation of AI‑generated content.

Meets academic integrity requirements for transparent and ethical AI use.

Assessment 2 – Group Performance and Video Presentation

Weighting: 50%

Due Date: Thursday 14th May 11:45 pm AEST (week 9)

Task Type: Group Task, work in groups of 3–4 members. Form your group following your lecturer’s instructions. Document contributions and decisions for transparency. Ensure equal participation and respect for diverse ideas.
Format:

Video Performance: 3–5 minutes
Written Component: 1000 words plus visuals (complementary to the video, not a transcript). 
Creative platforms such as Canva, Padlet, PowerPoint, or other suitable tools may be used
 

Font: Any font, minimum size 12

Referencing: APA7 style, minimum 10 sources from unit materials and e-reading list on Moodle

Use of AI: Level 3 

Submission Guidelines

This assessment will be explained further during tutorials. Please attend tutorials, watch the recordings and review all materials provided in Moodle.

Submit your assessment through Moodle only. Email submissions will not be accepted.
Drafts will not be reviewed or marked by the lecturer.
All components must be submitted in one document, including the reference list and any required links.
 

Photos, videos or voices of children must not be included in this task.

Task Description

Play is recognised as a context for learning, with the child’s right to play and the benefits of play enshrined in national frameworks such as the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standard (NQS) (AGDE, 2022; Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, 2024), as well as international policy texts. While play is universally valued, implementing play-based pedagogical practices can present challenges and considerations for educators.

This group task requires you to:

Follow instructions from your lecturer to form a group.
Identify challenges and considerations educators may encounter when implementing play-based learning with young children.
Critically reflect on these issues (AGDE, 2022, p.18).
Drawing inspiration from Loris Malaguzzi and the Hundred Languages of Children, which recognises children’s multiple ways of expressing and understanding, prepare a creative representation or installation that illustrates your analysis of these challenges and considerations.
Present your creative representation as a performance captured in a 3–5 minute video, where all group members participate and take on roles such as educator, parent, child, centre director, and narrator to dramatise the challenges/implications and possible solutions.
Use props, costumes, and video features (such as captions, transitions, background music, or visual effects) to enhance creativity and engagement.
Accompany the video with a written text (1000 words) that complements the video by explaining the challenges/considerations identified and possible strategies to address them, supported by relevant literature (minimum 10 references). The written work should expand on the ideas presented in the video, not repeat them verbatim.
 

Important information:

Word count for this assignment: 1000 words maximum

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text citations and direct quotations.

Video length 

Minimum 3 minimum, maximum 5 minutes

Video access

The link to the video must be included in the written component and should be accessible to the marking team. This ensures they can view your performance easily. Use a reliable platform (e.g., YouTube unlisted link, OneDrive, or Moodle upload) and test the link before submission.

AI: level 3
You may use AI to assist with this task, such as drafting text, refining, and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content.
Any misuse or failure to disclose information regarding AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. 
Disclosure: Include a short note on your assessment cover page listing any AI tools used, which sections they were used in, and how they were used. Also, list the AI tool(s) in your reference list, following APA 7 style.
 

72-Hour Extension

The 72-Hour grace period applies to this assessment 

If you need longer than 72 hours, you'll still need to use the normal Assessment Extension System process.

No photos, videos or voices of children 

To ensure ethical and legal compliance, photos, videos, or voice recordings of children must not be included in this task. Please use only de‑identified materials, written observations, diagrams, or descriptions that do not reveal a child’s identity.

Assessment criteria

1. Identification and Critical Analysis of Challenges in Play‑Based Learning

Clearly identifies and explains key challenges and considerations educators face when implementing play‑based pedagogies.

Demonstrates critical reflection drawing on the EYLF (AGDE, 2022) and relevant NQS expectations.

Integrates multiple perspectives (e.g., child, educator, family, leadership).

Shows strong linkage between challenges and current early childhood theories and practices.

2. Creativity, Clarity, and Effectiveness of the Group Video Performance

Presents a cohesive, engaging 3–5 minute performance with meaningful participation from all group members.

Uses creative elements—performance, props, narration, costumes, visual effects—to communicate ideas effectively.

Demonstrates inspiration from Loris Malaguzzi and the Hundred Languages of Children.

Enhances understanding of play‑based learning challenges through multimodal representation.

Meets ethical requirements (no children’s images, videos, or voices).

3. Quality of Written Component and Integration With Video

The written text (1000 words) extends and deepens the ideas presented in the video rather than repeating it.

Provides clear, well‑structured academic analysis supported by at least 10 scholarly references from unit materials and the e‑reading list.

Connects theory, research, and policy to practical implications shown in the video.

Demonstrates clarity, cohesion, academic writing quality, and appropriate use of visuals.

Uses APA7 referencing accurately throughout.

4. Group Collaboration, Equity, and Documentation of Contributions

Shows evidence of respectful and equitable group collaboration.

Includes clear documentation of each member’s contributions and group decision‑making processes.

Reflects shared responsibility and the integration of diverse ideas.

Roles are distributed fairly and contribute meaningfully to the final product.

5. Ethical and Responsible Use of GenAI Tools

GenAI use aligns with Level 3 guidelines (drafting, refining, evaluating).

Includes a transparent disclosure statement detailing the tools used, how they were used, and how content was critically revised.

Demonstrates ethical and academically responsible use of AI.

6. Technical Quality, Presentation Standards, and Accessibility

Video is accessible, clear, and uploaded via a functional link.

Written component meets formatting guidelines and is visually coherent.

All materials are compiled into one complete submission with working links and a reference list.