Course Title: Work with diversity in the education environment
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: EMPL9775C
Course Title: Work with diversity in the education environment
School: 360T Education
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C4326 - Certificate IV in Education Support
Course Contact : Robyn Blaikie
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4838
Course Contact Email:robyn.blaikie@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Linda Finger linda.finger@rmit.edu.au 9925 9494
Soosan Kian soosan.kian@rmit.edu.au 9925 9183
Nominal Hours: 35
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
No specific pre-requisite and co-requisite.
Course Description
This course describes the knowledge and skills required for individuals without supervisory responsibilities to work effectively with diversity. It includes recognising and valuing individual differences and working effectively with diverse clients and colleagues.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCEDS312A Work with diversity in the education environment |
Element: |
1. Recognise and value individual differences |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Explore diversity to identify attributes that may be of benefit tot he school and its community |
Element: |
2. Work effectively with diverse students and colleagues |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Develop and use a range of communication styles to respect and reflect the diversity of the school |
Learning Outcomes
In practice, working with diversity is demonstrated in the context of other work activities, such as working effectively in the organisation, upholding the values of the organisation, contributing to the work team and delivering services. This work is to be undertaken with appropriate guidance, support and supervision by a nominated teacher or other education professional. On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
This unit is part of Certificate IV in Education Support program. You will study this unit with several other units on the same day. Your program consists of face to face teaching, Directed Study and you are expected to participate in professional placement. It is highly recommended that students attend at least 85% of class time as crucial learning activities, assessment task preparation some assessment tasks are completed in class. You are not required to attend to complete Directed Study, however you are expected to complete all work given and will at times be required to show evidence that the work has been completed in this unit. Directed Study is a very important part of your program. An outline of your Directed Study will be given by your teacher and is published in the Weekly Program Delivery Plan.
The student learning experience will be facilitated through participation in a range of activities: 

Group discussion 

Research assignments

Guest speakers

Oral and/or written questions on "What if?" scenarios

Realistic simulations and role play
Practical demonstrations and direct observation of actual work and simulated work practice
Oral Presentations
Individual and group projects - Completing the projects will include negotiated independent study time and practical work relevant to the unit of competency. 

Professional placement
Teaching Schedule
Program Dates: Mon 10th February – Friday 20th June 2014
Term Breaks: Mon 21st April - Sunday 27th April 2014
Public holidays: Monday 10th March (Labour Day), Friday 18th April (Good Friday), Monday 9th June (Labour Day)
This unit will be delivered weekly. The times will be outlined in the program delivery plans which are updated each week.
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources. Should the teaching schedule change students will be advised via blackboard.
Library Orientation & an RMIT Online Systems Information Session will be scheduled during the first two weeks of your program. Information about student services, rights and responsibilities is contained in your student diary.
Week 1-4
Acknowledgement/welcome to country
Cultural backgrounds, influences and identity
Q&A Activities
Assignment task 1
Week 5-8
Expectations; critical aspects of assessment; work placement;
Cultural influences and awareness (handout)
Communication in the workplace
Research activity; Workplace observation
Assessment task 1 – oral presentation
Week 9-12
Team work in the workplace
Recognising similarities and identifying differences
Inclusive curriculum and workplaces
Discussion, Q&A activities, Role-plays
Mid Semester Progress Interviews
Assignments1 and 2, Oral presentation, Evidence of practical experience promoting and responding to workplace diversity; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Third party, Folio – Presentation (oral and written)
Week 13-16
Diversity plans
Inclusive Curriculum checklist
Discussion, Q&A activities, Role-plays
Week17-18
Code of Ethics
Communication styles to respect and reflect diversity of schools
Review folio of final assessments
Evidence of practical experience fostering and supporting an effective learning environment; e.g. Observation/Demonstration, Third party
Folio – Presentation (oral and written)
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
TEXTS AND EQUIPMENT
There are no set texts in this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through handouts, our online systems and access to facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources. It is recommended that you bring:
• Display folder with plastic sleeves
• Highlighter pens
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Headphones (use your own or they can be purchased from the Brunswick Library very cheaply)
• USB (Memory stick)
Overview of Assessment
You must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of the competencies in order to be deemed competent.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice
• Oral or written questioning
• Assignments and projects
• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files
• Work-based activities
• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.
An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Your courses assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc
Assessment Tasks
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks. You may be assessed by:
• Direct observation of actual and simulated work practice 

• Oral or written questioning 

• Assignments and projects 

• Presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise of documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files 

• Review of work produced through work-based or course activities 

• Third-party feedback from a work supervisor/employer 

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions, through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are assessed using the following competency based results:
CA – Competency achieved
NYC – Not Yet Competent
Please note:
Assessments tasks may include other Units of competency from the program.
All Assessment tasks should be submitted by the deadline. If an extension is required you must ask your teacher for one before the due date.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency.
These are available from the course contact person (stated above).
Course Overview: Access Course Overview