GDE 3002 Contexts and Environments

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Socio-cultural and socio-political factors are powerful influences on the environments in which teachers conduct their work in schools and, in turn, on the environments that they establish for their work with students. In the broader context of globalisation, with its attendant homogenising forces, inclusive practice needs to recognise the differences that students and communities bring to the learning context. In order to design teaching and learning environments that are socially just and inclusive, teachers require an understanding of the socio-cultural realities of learners and the positioning of schools within particular cultural contexts and locations.

SYNOPSIS:

This course is designed to assist students to understand the range of social and political forces that interact to shape the nature of educational contexts and environments within schools, as well as the cultural identities of the individuals within schools. Understandings of these forces and trends are connected to exploration of whole-school and individual-teacher approaches to the establishment of inclusive learning environments. Awareness of how particular schools respond to particular features of their socio-cultural communities is explored through the lens of a social justice approach to meeting the needs of ?at risk? groups. The course provides for a nominal 7.5 days of professional attachment to an identified school. During this period of attachment students will be immersed in the day-to-day operations of the school and in the work of a teacher, with a particular focus on the connections between that work and the issues covered in this course. 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. identify the key elements of inclusive learning environments
2. demonstrate knowledge of the socio-cultural, legislative, systemic and educational contexts that inform quality teaching for diversity
3. understand the application of ecological theory in a particular context
4. identify the implications and ramifications of actions taken at different levels of an education system
5. apply whole of school and community approaches to social justice in education
6. demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skill in the use of appropriate personal, professional and academic literacies
7. demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of appropriate ICT uses for teaching and learning in a particular context
8. apply an understanding of contexts and environments in the professional attachment
9. articulate an example of how the key concepts encountered in this course can be applied in an educational setting.

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).

GDE3002 USQ resource package.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

18 April 2006 the end of the 'submission window'. Assignment 1 - Part 1: Proposal for Problem-based Presentation. All assessment items will receive a grade.

2.

7 July the end of the 'submission window'. Assignment 1 - Part 2: Report of Problem-based Presentation.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in the residential school and other scheduled learning activities (such as on-campus workshops and web-based activities) scheduled for them. Students must complete 7.5 days of professional attachment at an identified school site.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least a grade of C- for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Students who fail to submit assignments by the due date without prior approval must apply to the course examiner for deferred assessment. The course examiner will consider each such application on its individual merits.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   In order to gain a passing grade in the course, students must submit all items of assessment; complete all professional attachment requirements successfully; and attain a passing grade in all items. Normally, there will be no opportunity for the resubmission of failed or unsatisfactory items of assessment.
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 (or grades) 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.