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Unit description

Investigates issues of diversity, equity and inclusion 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. Critically 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 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and for students from diverse cultural backgrounds including EAL/D students
  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.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1Critically examine factors related to culture, language, identity and history influencing students’ learning and behaviour in educational settings
2Critically examine the issues and national and state data relating to the experience of students from diverse backgrounds – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; cultural; socio-economic; religious; rural or remote - in terms of access to, participation in, and success within the Australian education system
3Evaluate current national and state legislation and educational policies aimed at improving access, participation and success within the Australian education system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; students from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds; rural and remote students; and students from non-English speaking backgrounds and refugee circumstances, and assess their implications for the profession
4Develop a deep understanding and efficacy around the attitudes and cultural competencies required of teachers to provide culturally safe and inclusive learning environments for learners from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and diverse cultural backgrounds, including the EAL/D dimension of their learning
5Evaluate curriculum, and teaching, learning and assessment strategies that promote high expectations and success for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; students from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds; rural and remote students; and students from non-English speaking backgrounds and refugee circumstances, and the skills required of teachers to successfully integrate these elements into their practice
6Identify 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
7Demonstrate 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
  2. Critically examine the issues and national and state data relating to the experience of students from diverse backgrounds – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; cultural; socio-economic; religious; rural or remote - 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 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; students from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds; rural and remote students; and students from non-English speaking backgrounds and refugee circumstances, 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 learners from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and diverse cultural backgrounds, including the EAL/D dimension of their learning
  5. Evaluate curriculum, and teaching, learning and assessment strategies that promote high expectations and success for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; students from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds; rural and remote students; and students from non-English speaking backgrounds and refugee circumstances, 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

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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