Course Title: Educational Approaches for Successful Inclusions

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Educational Approaches for Successful Inclusions

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
TCHE2166	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011

Course Coordinator: Dr Mandy Kienhuis

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7400

Course Coordinator Email: mandy.kienhuis@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 6.5.9 and 201.3.06

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course is directed towards students undertaking training to become classroom teachers, however it does not have prerequisite subjects and may be taken by other students with an interest in this area. 

Course Description

The focus of this course is on the commonly occurring issues and challenges that are raised for teachers when children with disabilities are members of classes in their care. After a brief history of disability and the relevant legislation, emphasis will shift to describing the definitions, incidence, and diagnostic assessments for a variety of disabilities. The particular patterns of behaviour and educational needs will be described for each. Additionally, the course will include information and resources on classroom interventions shown to be valuable in ensuring a productive education for all children with disability. The resources will include aspects of curriculum and learning, in addition to the teaching of prosocial behaviour. Students will apply theoretical knowledge to real-life situations they are likely to encounter in the classroom.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the completion of this course a student will be expected to be able to:
1. Describe commonly occurring disabilities, behavioural characteristics, and methods of assessment
2. Describe the main issues for classroom teaching and classroom management posed by the presence of children with disabilities.
3. Gain access to resources that have evidence of their effectiveness in assisting full inclusion of children with disability.
4. Communicate their understanding with colleagues and lecturers

A student will be expected to be able to:
1. Describe commonly occurring disabilities, behavioural characteristics, and methods of assessment
2. Describe the main issues for classroom teaching and classroom management posed by the presence of children with disabilities.
3. Gain access to resources that have evidence of their effectiveness in assisting full inclusion of children with disability.
4. Communicate their understanding with colleagues and lecturers

Overview of Learning Activities

Learning experiences
Lecture/seminars Students in lectures/seminars acquire a framework of relevant knowledge and an understanding of underlying theoretical/conceptual material.
Laboratory/Field research Students will work individually and in groups to investigate topics relating to classroom management. Students will apply conceptual material to field settings, will develop critical thinking skills in research methods, and will develop skills in the effective communication (both verbal and written) of research findings to relevant academic representatives.
Workshop activities Students engage in critical analysis of relevant knowledge and underlying theoretical material. Students develop responsibility for a synthesis of knowledge and the ability to develop group and individual problem solving skills.

Overview of Learning Resources

Lecture notes, weekly readings, prescribed texts and relevant multimedia resources will be provided to the students to enhance their learning.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will involve a variety of applied and theoretical tasks that will allow the student to demonstrate their knowledge and application of the concepts covered in this course.