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Unit of study_

EDUP4077: Teaching Children with Special Needs

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Under the supervision of mentors, students will complete a series of tutoring sessions in schools. During this time, students will develop, implement and evaluate a sequence of individualised literacy and/or numeracy plans. From these experiences, students will develop a professional statement and reflective journal, making links between practice and the research literature based.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EDUP4077
Academic unit Education
Credit points 4
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
170 credit points including EDUP4018 and EDUP4074 and EDUP4076 and EDUP4079
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
Placement In-school Teaching Sessions & Reflections
n/a
55% Ongoing 2250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Professional Statement
n/a
25% Week 05
Due date: 26 Sep 2020 at 23:59
900 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO8
Skills-based evaluation Online quizzes
n/a
20% Weekly Four quiz x 150 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO5

Assessment summary

  • In-school teaching sessions: You will be assigned to a school where you will complete a series of tutoring sessions with a child identified as experiencing difficulties learning in literacy.
  • Reflective journal and professional statement: In addition to fulfilling the in-school component of the subject, you are required to complete a reflective journal of your experiences.
  • Online quizzes: During weeks 1-4 you will complete a quiz online. Each quiz is related to readings assigned in the unit of study, and the focus of discussion in-school.
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 Supporting learning for all students Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO8
Week 01 Supporting reading and language: assessment and intensifying instruction Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
In-school session Practical (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Systematic and explicit instruction in the big ideas of reading Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
In-school session Practical (6 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Intensifying instruction - word recognition and linguistic comprehension Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO8
In-school session Practical (6 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Intensifying instruction within a whole of school environment Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO8
In-school session Practical (6 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Reflecting on the process: Personalising learning Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO8

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 4 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 80-100 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

 

Castles, A., Rastle, K., & Nation, K. (2018). Ending the reading wars: Reading acquisition from novice to expert. Psychology Science in the Public Interest, 19, 5-51.

Chard, D., Pikulski, J., & Templeton, S. (2000). From phonemic awareness to fluency: Effective decoding instruction in a research-based reading program. Orlando, FL: Houghton Mifflin.

Hempenstall, K. (2016). Read about it: Scientific evidence for effective teaching of reading. Sydney: Centre for Independent Studies.

 

 

Hughes, C. & Morris, J. (2017). Explicit instruction: Historical and contemporary contexts. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 32, 140-148. doi:10.1111/ldrp.12142

Pikulski, J., & Chard, D. (2003). Fluency: Bridge from decoding to reading comprehension. Orlando, FL: Houghton Mifflin. https://dibels.uoregon.edu/

Pollard-Durodola, S., Gonzalez, J., Simmons, D., David, M., Simmons, L., & Nava-Walichowski. (2011). Using knowledge networks to develop preschoolers’ content vocabulary. The Rading Teacher, 65, 265-274. doi: 10.1002.TRTR.01035

Spear-Swerling, L. (2018). Structured and literacy and typical literacy practices: Understanding differences to create instructional opportunities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 51, 201-211. doi:10.1177/0040059917750160

Tunmer, W. & Hoover, W. (2019). The cognitive foundations of learning to read: A framework for preventing and remediating reading difficulties. Australian Journal of Learning Disabilities, 24, 75-93. doi:10.1080/19404158.2019.1614081

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. demonstrate an understanding of differing learning theories, and how they can explain learning for students with a range of strengths and backgrounds
  • LO2. implement a series of assessments to establish the current literacy knowledge of students
  • LO3. plan a series of lessons for a student demonstrating how the big ideas of reading interlink and compliment each other
  • LO4. implement a series of lessons with a student demonstrating knowledge of key pedagogical practices
  • LO5. articulate in writing professional knowledge about the teaching of reading within a whole of class literacy framework, linking it to research-based pedagogy, for ALL students
  • LO6. evaluate lessons in relation to learning objectives for students, and nominate future areas of teaching focus
  • LO7. reflect on lesson sessions and state how student learning can be enhanced and furthered
  • LO8. demonstrate understanding of the learning support process, and how it can be used in support teaching the classroom.

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 Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching.
1.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
1.6.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability.
LO2
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.2.1. (Graduate) Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3.1. (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
3.1.1. (Graduate) Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and characteristics.
LO3
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.3.1. (Graduate) Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and lesson plans.
3.2.1. (Graduate) Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective teaching strategies.
3.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.
LO4
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
2.5.1. (Graduate) Know and understand literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and their application in teaching areas.
3.3.1. (Graduate) Include a range of teaching strategies.
4.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
LO5
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
1.5.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of strategies for differentiating teaching to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.
1.6.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability.
4.1.1. (Graduate) Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
LO6
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
5.1.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate understanding of assessment strategies, including informal and formal, diagnostic, formative and summative approaches to assess student learning.
5.2.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of providing timely and appropriate feedback to students about their learning.
5.4.1. (Graduate) Demonstrate the capacity to interpret student assessment data to evaluate student learning and modify teaching practice.
LO7
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
6.3.1. (Graduate) Seek and apply constructive feedback from supervisors and teachers to improve teaching practices.
LO8
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level – UG and MTeach) - AITSL
4.4.1. (Graduate) Describe strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.

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

This unit of study receives high praise each year by students. One feature that is frequently critiqued is the frequency of feedback. Given the short period of time in 2020, the reflective journal will be formally examined during in school visits, and feedback provided.

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.