Professional Practice Special Education1

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Option 1 involves 23 days of practicum placement that is divided into two components. The first component is a 15 day placement in an approved special education program for primary and secondary age students or inclusive setting. The student is required to observe and interact with students/children, observe teaching strategies and gain an understanding of the educational philosophy guiding the curriculum. The second component is a series of professional enhancement workshops to be conducted by the university staff. There are 8 days in total and attendance at these workshops will count as part of the practicum placement for this subject. The workshops are designed to introduce and implement specific teaching approaches, discuss and apply teaching techniques which students are likely to be observed while on placement. This option is recognized by the Victorian Institute of Teaching and students seeking VIT registration should select this option.

Option 2 will consist of the same requirements as in Option 1, but students can nominate to undertake the 15 day placement in an early childhood intervention program within their discipline area. This option can be selected by students who do not require VIT registration.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of atypical development and the effects of a range of disabilities and other 'at risk' factors on the development and learning of preschoolers and students;
• Demonstrate an awareness of the need to observe and document the development of preschoolers and students who have a disability;
• Demonstrate an ability to apply information gathered using informal methods of assessment for planning of children and student's programs;
• Demonstrate an increasing ability to interact appropriately with preschoolers and students who have a range of needs;
• Demonstrate an increasing ability to interact with other professionals in the program.

Generic Skills

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

• evaluate and apply new knowledge;
• apply analytical and critical thinking skills in relation to classroom observation;
• improve their capacity and skills to review teaching practices;
• clearly communicate ideas and observations to professionals.