Engaging and Assessing Learners (Sec) 3 (EDUC91151)

This subject will support Teacher Candidates to make decisions about responding to students’ learning needs using evidence-informed approaches. Teacher Candidates will explore the science of learning and its relationship to effective, culturally informed teaching and learning strategies. To support students’ participation, Teacher Candidates will identify and respond to behaviours of concern and the contexts in which they emerge. Teacher Candidates will understand the historical and contextual factors in which language and communication are embedded and develop strategies to support the language and communication needs of students. The processes that underpin the successful development of literacy and numeracy will be explored, including identifying the literacy and numeracy needs of students and how to intervene using students’ strengths and capabilities. The Clinical Teaching Model will be used to assess, plan and develop interventions for students with disability and diverse learning needs. Teacher Candidates will examine the importance of parent/carer involvement in education and how to work effectively with colleagues, other professionals and the community.  This subject will also support Teacher Candidates’ explorations of classroom communication and management practices and strategies that support students’ wellbeing and safety to provide high-quality inclusive learning environments that meet school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements. It will equip Teacher Candidates with the fundamental skills necessary to begin to observe, design and implement teaching strategies to engage all students. This subject references the relevant Australian educational frameworks and curricula.

This subject includes a Clinical Teaching Practicum (placement) in a Secondary school. During the placement, Teacher Candidates will demonstrate the nexus between theory and the practice of teaching, drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives and contemporary research to support their teaching practice. Teacher Candidates are supported by experienced Clinical Specialists and Mentor Teachers. A series of seminars will be held which explore Candidates’ developing professional knowledge, practice and engagement. In this subject Teacher Candidates will also complete the Assessment for Graduate Teaching (AfGT).

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, Teacher Candidates should be able to:

• Identify ways to foster and maintain an inclusive learning environment that supports participation and engagement of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious, disability and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Examine physical, social and intellectual development and demonstrate legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support full participation of students with a disability.
• Analyse language, communication, literacy and numeracy teaching strategies and apply to the learning needs of all students.
• Demonstrate a broad range of strategies to involve and work effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers in the educative process.
• Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities, provide clear directions, and use practical approaches to manage challenging behaviour using a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies.
• Use strategies that support student wellbeing and safety working within school, curriculum and legislative requirements.
• Demonstrate professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement by drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives and contemporary research to support teaching practice.

Generic skills