Professional Practice Special Education2

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 consists of 22 days of practicum placement which has been divided into two components. The first component is a 15 day placement in an approved special education setting or an inclusive program. The student will have the opportunity to observe, assess, plan and implement learning support plans for students with a disability, to work within a multi-disciplinary team; to observe program support groups, community based programs; to apply the concepts of multi-element curriculum and differentiated practice. The second component is a series of professional enhancement workshops to be conducted by the university staff. There are 7 days in total and attendance at these workshops will count as part of the practicum placement. The workshops are designed to introduce and implement specific teaching approaches, discuss and apply techniques which students are likely to observe while on placement. Option 1 is recognized by the Victorian Institute of Teaching and students seeking registration should select this option.

Option 2 consists of a supervised workplace project and can be selected by students who do not require registration with VIT. The project replaces the 22 days practicum placement undertaken in Option 1 which can be negotiated with an academic from the Special Education program of study.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Demonstrate an ability to apply and implement the theoretical constructs in the course to the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of learning and teaching programs for preschoolers and students who have a disability;
• Demonstrate an ability to contribute sequentially ordered teaching to overall family support plans/program support groups and instruction within the team context;
• Demonstrate an increasing ability to evaluate the efficacy of individual programs for preschoolers and students with a range of needs;
• Articulate information about preschoolers and students to team members;
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and understanding when interacting with parent;.
• Demonstrate an increasing ability to evaluate the efficacy of individual programs for children with a range of needs.

Generic Skills

On completion of this subject, students should 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;
• apply principles of leadership and collaboration when working with support groups of the family or student.