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Unit of study_

EDPD5014: Inclusive Literacy and Numeracy Pedagogies

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is examines current theories, research and practice in the development of basic skills within literacy and numeracy, with a specific emphasis on students with disability and additional learning needs. Participants will critically examine current theory and practices associated with supporting the design of quality literacy and numeracy programs for students with disability and additional learning needs in multiple learning contexts. Evidence-based instruction used to implement quality literacy and numeracy programs will be critically examined; tiered approaches to supporting literacy and numeracy development will be discussed in terms of monitoring student progress.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDPD5014
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Evans, david.evans@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Personal statement
n/a
5% Week 01
Due date: 27 Feb 2022 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Critical review of practice
n/a
20% Week 04
Due date: 20 Mar 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Creative assessment / demonstration Application of research to practice: assessment and program development
n/a
25% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Topic review
n/a
25% Week 11
Due date: 08 May 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6
Skills-based evaluation Application of research to practice: planning a series of learning experiences
n/a
25% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2022 at 23:59
1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Personal statement: The aim of this task is for you to articulate your professional position in regards to the place of literacy in your teaching or education context. 
  • Critical review of practice: The aim of this assignment is to critique an article that highlights the use of practices in teaching students diagnosed with significant cognitive disabilities. 
  • Assessment and program development: Identify an instructional approach in the teaching and/or support of literacy that is of specific interest you; refine your focus - age group curriculum area/s. Undertake an investigation of the research and professional literature in the area and then prepare a presentation that could be used as part of a workshop to further teacher professional knowledge around the instructional approach you have selected. 
  • Topic review: The aim of this piece of work is to review a topic in the area of numeracy and students with special education needs. Locate at least four pieces of literature that relate to this area and develop an academic paper.
  • Planning a series of learning experiences: The aim of this piece of work is to plan a series of learning sessions that will assist in teaching a clearly defined skill/s in the area of numeracy. You are required to arrange a time in week 13 to present your assignment online and have a 15 minute discussion online. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Overview of unit of study: topics, assessments; 2. Inclusive education and inclusive pedagogies Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO4
1. Learning theory, learning and inclusive pedagogies; 2. Implications for teaching reading Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 1. Learning to read: theory to practice; 2. Whole of context considerations: Tier 1; 3. Progress monitoring and strengthening the 'core'. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
1. Intensifying reading instruction - Tier 2 and 3; 2. Systematic and explicit instruction and cognitive load theory Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO9
Week 03 1. Making meaning and reading to learn; 2. Vocabulary instruction (applying learning theory) Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7 LO10
1. Comprehension instruction; 2. Intensifying instruction in the upper years Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 04 1. Literacy and students with high support needs; 2. Levels of adjustment; 3. Cross curricula planning Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO8 LO10
1. Learning, mathematics and numeracy: Issues; 2. Applying learning thoery to mathematics and numeracy: barriers and facilitators Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 05 1. Number sense; 2. Systematic and explicit instruction: number facts Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
1. Systematic and explicit instruction through strategy instruction: problem-solving; 2. Intensifying numeracy instruction Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO6 LO8
Week 06 1. Inclusive numeracy instruction and students with high support needs; 2. Planning in numeracy for students with diverse learning needs Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO7 LO9
1. Planning to intensify instruction in literacy and numeracy; 2. Quality differentiated teaching practice; 3. Levels of adjustment; 4. Review Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see Canvas site for schedule of weekly readings, and access to library holdings. 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. critically analyse skills in the use of evidence-based practices in literacy and numeracy
  • LO2. discuss and analyse a range of theoretical perspectives in literacy and numeracy development
  • LO3. demonstrate through discussion, research and assessment tasks an understanding of a range of effective instructional strategies to promote literacy and numeracy across a range of curriculum areas and contexts
  • LO4. demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in developing, implementing and monitoring literacy and numeracy programs using a range of measures including curriculum-based measures
  • LO5. demonstrate skills in summarising, evaluating and critiquing current research through written work, and contribution to discussions in class
  • LO6. evaluate current research through class discussions, and written work developed for assessment
  • LO7. articulate an understanding of a three tier process for meeting the literacy and numeracy needs of students
  • LO8. demonstrate skills in developing curriculum-based measures to assist in monitoring student progress, and evaluating personalised learning plans.
  • LO9. justify through professional engagement the planning and teaching of literacy and numeracy across the curriculum
  • LO10. discuss and demonstrate your understanding of the use of technologies to engage with literacy and numeracy for a range of purposes.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         
LO8         
LO9         
LO10         
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Professional Level – PG and Professional Learning) -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.5.2 P A (Proficient) Develop teaching activities that incorporate differentiated strategies to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
1.6.2 P A (Proficient) Design and implement teaching activities that support the participation and learning of students with disability and address relevant policy and legislative requirements.
2.1.2 P A (Proficient) Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
2.2.2 P A (Proficient) Organise content into coherent, well-sequenced learning and teaching programs.
2.5.2 P A (Proficient) Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.
3.1.2 P A (Proficient) Set explicit, challenging and achievable learning goals for all students.
3.3.2 P A (Proficient) Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking.
4.1.2 P A (Proficient) Establish and implement inclusive and positive interactions to engage and support all students in classroom activities.
5.1.2 P A (Proficient) Develop, select and use informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative assessment strategies to assess student learning.
6.2.2 P A (Proficient) Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice, targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
6.3.2 A (Proficient) Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.
6.4.2 A (Proficient) Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs.
7.4.2 P A (Proficient) Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Participant feedback is continued on an ongoing basis, and changes made (e.g., relevance of readings, discussion topics). Participants are welcome to meet with the unit of study coordinator to seek out changes in emphases and/or addition of new topics.

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.