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Not currently available in 2015

Unit Summary

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

8

Level of learning

Advanced

Former School/College

Former School of Education

Pre-requisites

EDU81001 - Understanding Children and Adolescents

Unit aim

Investigates issues of inclusion, equity and diversity in the Australian education system with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students from backgrounds of socio-economic disadvantage, rural and remote students, and students from non-English speaking backgrounds.  Critically reviews relevant legislation and education policy frameworks for promoting access, participation and success for learners from diverse backgrounds.  Promotes understanding and efficacy around creating culturally safe learning environments, and around teaching, learning, and assessment strategies that promote high expectations for all learners.   Evaluates emerging research, notions of leadership, and ongoing professional learning in relation to inclusive teaching practices.

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. The influences of culture, language, identity and history on students’ learning and behaviour in educational settings
  2. Access and equity in the Australian education system: the politics; the data; and the research
  3. Legislation and education policies to improve access and equity in the Australian education system
  4. Reflecting on self – cultural awareness and cultural competence
  5. Inclusive teaching – designing curriculum elements, resources, assessments, and teaching and learning strategies for creating an inclusive classroom
  6. Creating culturally safe learning environments
  7. Teacher support  within school and community – where to find it and how to use it
  8. Identifying opportunities for leadership and for creative and professional approaches to promoting inclusive teaching

 

Learning outcomes

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.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Critically examine factors related to culture, language, identity and history influencing students’ learning and behaviour in educational settings
2 Critically examine the issues and national and state data relating to the experience of students from diverse backgrounds in terms of access to, participation in, and success within the Australian education system
3 Evaluate current national and state legislation and educational policies aimed at improving access, participation and success within the Australian education system, and assess their implications for the profession
4 Develop a deep understanding and efficacy around the attitudes and cultural competencies required of teachers to provide culturally safe and inclusive learning environments for all learners
5 Evaluate curriculum, and teaching, learning and assessment strategies that promote high expectations and success for all learners, and the skills required of teachers to successfully integrate these elements into their practice
6 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
7 Demonstrate advanced skills in documenting, researching, and presenting contemporary understandings of and approaches to inclusive education

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

  1. Critically examine factors related to culture, language, identity and history influencing students’ learning and behaviour in educational settings
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  2. Critically examine the issues and national and state data relating to the experience of students from diverse backgrounds in terms of access to, participation in, and success within the Australian education system
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  3. Evaluate current national and state legislation and educational policies aimed at improving access, participation and success within the Australian education system, and assess their implications for the profession
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  4. Develop a deep understanding and efficacy around the attitudes and cultural competencies required of teachers to provide culturally safe and inclusive learning environments for all learners
    • GA1:
    • GA7:
  5. Evaluate curriculum, and teaching, learning and assessment strategies that promote high expectations and success for all learners, and the skills required of teachers to successfully integrate these elements into their practice
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  6. 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:
    • GA7:
  7. Demonstrate advanced skills in documenting, researching, and presenting contemporary understandings of and approaches to inclusive education
    • GA7: