FET 2400 Society and Education

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Professionals involved in post compulsory contexts are subject to the effects of significant, dynamic, and continual reform. One of the impacts of this reform agenda is an increased need for the construction, implementation and management of learner-centred and client-centred approaches. This impact is compounded through the diverse range of individuals and communities who undertake post compulsory studies. Increasingly these professionals find themselves accountable to the social parameters and aspirations of the local and global community. In such milieu, the performance, interactions and relationships of education and training professionals need to be in concert with contemporary community values. Such values include equity and access, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity. This course aims at building the capacity of post compulsory educators in responding to these contemporary and emerging demands.

SYNOPSIS:

This course emerges from a platform of enquiry into productive and sustainable teaching and learning practices in relation to contemporary post-compulsory education and training contexts. Through this platform of exploration, it requires participants to inspect and review their teaching and learning context in relation to current legislation and principles of fairness and equity. The course will introduce and explore notions of culture, ethnicity, difference, disabilities and tolerance. The notion of multiculturalism/pluralism will be explored further, particularly in terms of implications for educational planning and delivery. Practical approaches to responding to 'difference' in the learning environment will be explored. This course aims at building the capacity of post compulsory educators in establishing connections between social and educational theory and policy to the end of expressing acceptable and sound practice within their educational and community roles. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. articulate and critique personal positioning or assumptions concerning the effects of a changing society upon educational practices
2. demonstrate awareness of the changing role of education, its teachers/trainers and the context in which they may work
3. relate education and training practices and principles to fairness and equity
4. demonstrate an understanding of teaching and learning strategies that embrace 'difference'.
5. critically discuss the rationale for and implementation of inclusive education and training
6. demonstrate the application of strategies and technologies in facilitating inclusive learning environments
7. demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of correct communication skills including literacy, presentation and accurate referencing protocols.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

There are no set texts required to be purchased for this course.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Any recommended reference materials are referred to in the introductory book.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   In this course, if students are more than two weeks late with the submission of any assessment task, they are required to contact the course examiner, who may, at his/her discretion, grant a further extension.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for those items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.
2. Students are to use a recognised referencing system as specified by the examiner.
3. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.