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Unit of study_

EDUF2022: Special and Inclusive Education

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study addresses issues related to the provision of educational opportunities for persons with disability. These issues will be examined and interrogated through the philosophy and principles of inclusive education, current legislation, and international commitments. The development and design of evidenced-based and inclusive educational practices that support all learners will be explored across environments. The role of collaboration between key actors (e.g., educators, specialist educators, parents/carers, families community agencies) will be explored and critiqued.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDUF2022
Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Education Studies
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Evans, david.evans@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ilektra Spandagou, ilektra.spandagou@sydney.edu.au
Jessica Zanuttini, jessica.zanuttini@sydney.edu.au
Cathy Little, cathy.little@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Quizzes
Small tasks to probe understanding of readings and lectures (Weeks 2 & 4)
15% Multiple weeks 2 x 30minutes (1000wd equiv)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Personal Statement
Statement reflecting personal understanding of the right to education
30% Week 10
Due date: 07 May 2023 at 23:59
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO7 LO8
Presentation group assignment Group Collaborative Task
Culminating group presentation based on problem-based learning tasks
15% Week 12 15% (750 words eqiv)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Fieldwork Report
20 hour fieldwork placement + report reflecting on experience
40% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2023 at 23:59
20 hours fieldwork plus 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Quizzes: Two (2) quiz consiting of 15 multiple choice questions examining your understanding of key ideas and concepts covered in lectures, readings and materials on Canvas.

Personal Statement: prepare a statement in which you express your formative ideas and beliefs about provision of education for all learners.

Fieldwork Report: involves completion of a 20 hour fieldwork experience in a context where person/persons with disability are participating in an experience to support their education, employment and/or independence. You are to prepare a report reflecting on your experience inclusive of a short literature review.

Collaborative Task: within a small group prepare a response to a scenario within an educational context; in Tutorial 6, each group will present their approach to supporting all learners within the scenario. 

 

 

Assessment criteria

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

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 Introduction: Persons with Disability and Access to Education Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Promoting Inclusion and Equality Through Education in Formal and Informal Educational Contexts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Designing Inclusive Educational Environments Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Supporting behaviour: Whole of Context Considerations Through Theory and Practice Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO8
Week 05 Leadership and Inclusive Learning Contexts Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Technology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Personalised Learning Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5
[Friday tutorials only] Tutorial 1: Setting the Scene Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 07 Policy to Practice: Building Inclusive Contexts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7
[Monday and Tuesday tutorials] Tutorial 1: Setting the Scene Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 08 Whole of Education Context Considerations Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO7
[All tutorials] Tutorial 2: Designing Supportive Educational Contexts Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 09 Designing Accessible and Inclusive Learning Contexts Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO7
[Monday and Friday tutorials] Tutorial 3: Applying Inclusive Design Principles within Problem-Based Learning Scenarios Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 10 Approaches to Behaviour Support and Wellbeing Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO6 LO8
[Tuesday tutorials] Tutorial 3: Applying Inclusive Design Principles within Problem-Based Learning Scenarios Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
[Monday and Friday tutorials] Tutorial 4: Building Frameworks to Support Behaviour Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Principles of Personalised Learning Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
[Tuesday tutorials] Tutorial 4: Building Frameworks to Support Behaviour Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
[Monday and Friday tutorials] Tutorial 5: Personalising Responses to Individual Needs Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Transition Across Contexts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7 LO9
[Tuesday tutorials] Tutorial 5: Personalising Responses to Individual Needs Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
[Monday and Friday tutorials] Tutorial 6: Group Responses to Scenarios Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 [Tuesday tutorials] Tutorial 6: Group Responses to Scenarios Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

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

A key piece of work within this unit of study is: 

Spandagou, I., Little, C., Evans, D. & Bonati, M. (2020). Inclusive education in schools and early childhood settings. Springer. 

This text is available online through the library; links to this text and other key readings will be available through the Canvas site. 

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 engage with the philosophies and theories of special and inclusive education.
  • LO2. Apply knowledge of disability issues, legislation and government policies through professional judgment based on problem-based learning.
  • LO3. Apply the principles of universal design for learning to educational programs to meet the learning and personal needs of all learners.
  • LO4. Critically analyse assessment processes to be inclusive of all learners.
  • LO5. Demonstrate knowledge of reasonable adjustments and differentiation to support learners with disability to access, participate and achieve within a universally designed environment.
  • LO6. Critically analyse pedagogies and use of resources to support all learners to achieve educational and personal goals.
  • LO7. Critique a range of collaboration strategies that are inclusive of all parties.
  • LO8. Demonstrate knowledge of proactive approaches that build positive learning and social behaviours.
  • LO9. Identify transitions within and across different environments and critically analyse approaches to support successful transition.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
1.6. Diversity, difference and inclusivity.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.5. Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
4.1. Support student participation
4.4. Maintain student safety
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
2-CM.02. Knowledge of child and adolescent development, student well-being and mental health, and an understanding of the implications for learning and the management of behaviour
5-SWD.03. Understanding of the likely impacts that disability may have on a student’s access to and participation in learning
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
1.5. Early intervention
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.6. Strategies to support full participation of students with disability.
4.4. Maintain student safety
5.1. Assess student learning
7.4. Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
2-CM.09. Understanding of key systemic policy documents and legislative requirements, resources, personnel and referral agencies that assist teachers to create effective learning environments and interpersonal relationships
5-SWD.02. Understanding of the broader implications of disability on learning and the responsibilities of teachers
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
3.2. The Australian curriculum
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.2. Content selection and organisation
3.5. Use effective classroom communication
4.2. Manage classroom activities
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
2-CM.04. Ability to enact appropriate strategies that respond to the learning needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
4-LAN.03. Awareness that all students can be literate and numerate
4-LAN.04. Understanding of the diversity of literacy and numeracy abilities and the needs of learners, including English as a Second or Other Language needs
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.5. Children with diverse needs and backgrounds
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
5.1. Assess student learning
5.3. Make consistent and comparable judgements
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
5-SWD.04. Ability to identify individual learning needs and, with appropriate specialist support, apply strategies to address such needs in the school and classroom environment
5-SWD.06. Ability to use curriculum based assessment and monitoring procedures for identifying prior achievement and making differentiated assessment and learning decisions, including the reasonable adjustments required to enable students to meet curriculum outcomes
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.5. Children with diverse needs and backgrounds
3.3. Numeracy, science and technology
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.5. Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
1.6. Strategies to support full participation of students with disability.
2.5. Literacy and numeracy strategies
2.6. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
4-LAN.15. Ability to develop specific strategies to cater for students requiring additional support
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.5. Children with diverse needs and backgrounds
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.5. Differentiate teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
4.1. Support student participation
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
5-SWD.01. Understanding of child and adolescent development and milestones
LO7
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
7.3. Engage with the parents/carers
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
5-SWD.08. Broad understanding of how programs and resources can meet specific learning needs of all students, including inclusive education practices, specialist support and government and community services
LO8
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
2.3. Guiding behaviour / engaging young learners
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
4.3. Manage challenging behaviour
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
2-CM.05. Ability to design and implement plans and strategies that can be used within classrooms and other school settings to facilitate a positive classroom climate. This should include conceptual frameworks that emphasise evidence-based practises and support a proactive approach to classroom management (e.g. Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS) or Response to Intervention (RTI)). These strategies could include (but not be limited to): a. the promotion of positive student behaviour and positive relationships within the classroom b. support of students with disability within the classroom and wider school settings, including practical strategies to facilitate the students’ success c. effective communication with parents/care-givers and communities d. intervention to manage disruptive student behaviour e. discipline/crisis/emergency response for disruptive student behavior
2-CM.10. Awareness and understanding of the whole-school approach to student welfare/discipline policies and/or approaches to classroom and student management adopted by professional experience schools and the evidence on which these are based
LO9
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
4.1. Developing family and community partnerships
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
5.5. Report on student achievement
NESA Priority Area Elaborations - NESA
5-SWD.09. Knowledge of legislative responsibilities and educational policies as they relate to educational settings for students with disability

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

EDUF2022 is a new unit of study in 2023. We would be interested in your feedback throughout the semester. Please do not hesitate to contact the unit of study coordinator or tutors within the unit.

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.