James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

ED3442 - Inclusive Education: Differentiated Learning for Students with Special Needs and Abilities

Townsville Mixed attendance available only to RATEP students. JCU Online offering is available only to Online B Ed ECE and Primary students enrolled in the carousel offering.

Subject Description

This subject provides an introduction to the field of inclusive education, where pre-service teachers engage with key issues and debates in the field from the early years, primary and senior secondary. Pre-service teachers explore key theories, legislation and policy to critically evaluate each child's right to an education, across a range of educational environments, and problem-solve scenarios across regional, rural, remote and metropolitan locations. Emphasis is placed on learning how to plan for and respond to diverse learning needs in the classroom by using a collaborative and tiered approach to behaviour and learning, with a focus on positive behaviour support, universal design for learning and differentiation for all students. Pre-service teachers develop a theoretical and practical philosophy of inclusive education, and a toolkit of knowledge and evidence-based practices to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities, including those with disability. This subject includes an embedded 5-day Professional Experience placement to enable observation, reflection and practical implementation of the learning(s) in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• 1. differentiate teaching and classroom practices to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities
• 2. apply a critical understanding of legislative requirements and teaching strategies that support participation and learning of students with disability
• 4. identify a range of strategies for reporting to students and parents/carers, and the purpose of keeping accurate and reliable records of student data
• 5. identify strategies for collaborating effectively, sensitively and confidentially with parents/carers and other key stakeholders to support outcomes for diverse students
• 3. identify and enact practical, preventative and evidence-based practices that establish positive classroom environments, and support student's wellbeing and safety working within school and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements

Subject Assessment

• Written > Critical appraisal/review - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Learning plan - (40%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Multimedia production - (40%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Complete consecutive 5 day Placement, submit a Satisfactory grading - Minimum Developing Adequately in all descriptors on the Professional Experience is required to pass the subject. Attendance at Professional Experience Workshops meets placement requirement procedures of the Work Integrated Learning Program. If repeating the subject, the reattempt at all subject assessments including the Placement is a requirement.

Availabilities