Handbook

The purpose of this subject is to develop teacher education students' understanding of inclusion and inclusive teaching practice, and the knowledge and skills to enable them to effectively differentiate their instruction in the classroom. This includes understanding the intent of the relevant legislation and evidence-based foundations of inclusive practice, and approaches and strategies that maximise the potential for students of a range of abilities to achieve success. Important to this is the adoption of non-discriminatory approaches, and the creation of classroom environments that support, value, and encourage participation (DEEWR, 2005). Teacher education students will build their capacity to address the wide range of student abilities including giftedness and students with learning difficulties using approaches and strategies for differentiation that focus on both the needs and capabilities of the learner. They will develop strategies to engage and collaborate with other professionals, support services, students, parents and/or caregivers in planning for inclusion and participation to create safe and positive classroom cultures. A critical part of addressing the wide range of student abilities is the development and documentation of appropriate goals, outcomes, and teacher actions. The subject includes a focus on explicit teaching and other effective teaching strategies for the teaching of literacy and numeracy and learning area content to cater for the needs of a range of student abilities. The potential of how ICTs can be used to support participation and engagement is also explored.