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Unit of Study EDU30003 - Equity and Diversity in Education (2015)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Unit type

    UG Coursework Unit

  • Credit points

    12

  • AQF level

    7

  • Level of learning

    Advanced

  • Former School/College

    Former School of Education

  • Enrolment information

    Access to broadband internet required.

Unit description

Explores contemporary notions of cultural identity in Australia (and their historical antecedents) with a particular focus on inclusion, equity and diversity in the Australian education system. Explores relevant legislation and education policy frameworks for improving participation rates and learning outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. Focuses on teaching and learning strategies that promote high expectations for all learners.  Identifies and discusses curriculum elements, and teaching/learning/assessment strategies that promote inclusive and culturally safe learning environments. Provides a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; students from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage; rural and remote students; and learners from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Unit content

The following topics will be explored with particular reference to Aboriginal students, students from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage; rural and remote students; and students from non-English speaking backgrounds.

  1. Children and young people in Australia today: Cultural identity and diversity
  2. Access and equity in the Australian education system for children and young people from diverse backgrounds
  3. Factors relating to students’ social, cultural, and/or linguistic background that influence their learning behaviours
  4. Legislation and education policies to improve access and equity in the Australian education system
  5. What a ‘culturally safe’ classroom looks, sounds and feels like 
  6. Knowing your self and your school’s community – cultural awareness and cultural competence
  7. Inclusive teaching – designing curriculum elements, and developing resources, assessments, and teaching and learning strategies for creating an inclusive classroom
  8. Teacher support within school and community– where to find it and how to use it

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2015

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Explore facets of cultural identity in contemporary Australia and their historical antecedents
2 Critically examine the issues and national and state data relating to the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds in terms of access to, participation in, and success within the Australian education system
3 Critically examine factors related to culture, language, identity and history that impact on students’ learning and behaviour in educational settings
4 Investigate current national and state legislation and educational policies aimed at improving access, participation and success within the Australian education system
5 Develop the skills, attitudes and cultural competencies required of teachers to create inclusive and culturally safe learning environments
6 Design inclusive curriculum elements, develop teaching, learning and assessment strategies that promote high expectations and success for all learners
7 Identify networks, organisations and personnel both within schools and in the wider community for the support of students from diverse backgrounds and the teachers who teach them.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explore facets of cultural identity in contemporary Australia and their historical antecedents
    • GA1:
    • GA7:
  2. Critically examine the issues and national and state data relating to the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds in terms of access to, participation in, and success within the Australian education system
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  3. Critically examine factors related to culture, language, identity and history that impact on students’ learning and behaviour in educational settings
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  4. Investigate current national and state legislation and educational policies aimed at improving access, participation and success within the Australian education system
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  5. Develop the skills, attitudes and cultural competencies required of teachers to create inclusive and culturally safe learning environments
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  6. Design inclusive curriculum elements, develop teaching, learning and assessment strategies that promote high expectations and success for all learners
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  7. Identify networks, organisations and personnel both within schools and in the wider community for the support of students from diverse backgrounds and the teachers who teach them.
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
    • GA7: