Inclusive and Special Education

This course will engage students in critical analysis of contemporary inclusivity and special education issues, applying responsive professional knowledge, dispositions and pedagogy through transdisciplinary collaboration with service providers including education, health, disability, mental health and government/community agencies, to advance educator expertise in raising expectations, educational outcomes and quality of life for students with diverse needs. Students will develop cutting edge professional knowledge, dispositions and pedagogy through rigorous debate, research and application of authentic, contextual and forward thinking inclusive initiatives for learners with diverse needs. Working in a professional learning community, students will critique contemporary inclusive and special education initiatives, driven by their own interests, prior experiences and contextual challenges whilst engaging in critical analysis, problem solving and application of knowledge and skills across themes of policy, curriculum, assessment, pedagogy, transdisciplinary case management, critical incidents, ethical and professional practice and futures thinking. Students will be challenged to apply and evaluate proactive and human capabilities approaches in responding to contemporary issues that include: pervasive developmental, intellectual and complex disorders; challenging behaviours and SEBD; mental health; dyslexia and special learning difficulties; socio economic; gender; and cultural diversity with a particular focus on co-occurring issues.