Year
2022Credit points
10Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unitIncompatible
EDFX140 Socio-Cultural Influences on Education Community Engagement
Unit rationale, description and aim
Pre-service teachers must develop an awareness of the increasingly complex contexts in which they will work as well as be conscious of, sensitive to and skilled in responding to sociocultural diversity and the unique family, community and societal experiences children bring to their learning.
This unit develops pre-service teacher knowledge and understanding of the historical context, policy frameworks, legislation and sociocultural factors influencing the experiences of learners in Australian educational settings. Pre-service teachers will draw on recent scholarly literature, educational policies and sociological theories to inform their knowledge and understanding of some of the key contemporary issues facing children, young people, schools, early learning settings and the broader community.
The overall aim of this unit is to develop the critical thinking skills required for researching, analysing, applying and reflecting on evidence-based strategies that support diverse school contexts and inclusive educational settings.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
LO1 - Demonstrate knowledge of the morale, ethical and professional responsibilities of becoming a teacher (GA2, GA5; APST 7.4; ACECQA F3)
LO2 - Describe the impact of economic, political, social, religious and cultural change on education systems, individuals and families (GA1, GA4; APST 1.3, 1.4, 2.4; ACECQA A3, A6, D3, D4, D5, E2)
LO3 - Analyse the relationship between individual educational experiences and broader social relations, institutions, and diverse contexts. (GA2, GA4, GA6; APST 1.2, 1.3; ACECQA A1, A6, D5)
LO4 - Analyse preconceived notions of schooling and education, including a consideration of policies and programs for students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds (GA1, GA4; APST 1.3, 1.4, 2.4; ACECQA A3, A6, D3, D4, D5, E2)
LO5 - Reflect, interpret and question underlying issues within contemporary educational theory and practice (GA6; APST 1.2, 1.3, 2.4, 7.4; ACECQA A1, A6, D3, D5, F3)
Graduate attributes
GA1 - Demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity
GA2 - Recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society
GA4 - Think critically and reflectively
GA5 - Demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
GA6 - Solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account
GA8 - Locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS - GRADUATE LEVEL
On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:
1.2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the implications for teaching. |
1.3 Demonstrate knowledge of teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. |
1.4 Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the impact of culture, cultural identity and linguistic background on the education of students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. |
2.4 Demonstrate broad knowledge of, understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages. |
7.4 Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in broadening teachers’ professional knowledge and practice. |
ACECQA Curriculum Specifications
On successful completion of this unit, students should have developed the following specific knowledge
A. Child development and care A1. learning development and care A3. social and emotional development A6. diversity, difference and inclusivity |
D. Family and community contexts D3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives D4. socially inclusive practice D5. culture, diversity and inclusion |
E. History and philosophy of early childhood E2. contemporary theories and practice |
F. Early childhood professional practice F3. professional identity and development |
Content
Topics will include:
- Social justice, diversity and inclusive education
- Values related to education, to self and others, human rights and civic responsibilities
- Multiculturalism, respect for diversity and related influences on policy and legislation
- Social class, ethnicity, linguistic and gender differences and their relationship to schooling and educational outcomes
- The work of teachers
- The role of research and its significance in education and to teachers
- Social theories contribution to understanding education
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ experience of Australian education
- Sociocultural impacts on community participation
- Political influences on education policy
- Economic imperatives and social policy
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit may be offered on-campus, online or in a blended mode. This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total.
An emphasis is placed on the participating students as adult learners with responsibility for their own learning and who are capable of problem solving. The learning in this unit is enquiry-based, learner-focused and student centred. Pre-service teachers should expect to participate in a range of the following: online engagement, lectures, tutorials, seminar presentation and group discussions, both online and face-to-face, self-directed study activities and assessment tasks.
Students will select an organisation for Community Engagement either from an ACU list of participating community organisations or in another setting which is consistent with the principles of Community Engagement as described in this document and discussed in tutorial classes. Students must complete both the academic requirements and 35 hours of community engagement to pass this unit.
Community Engagement Requirements
This unit a prerequisite for EDCE135 Community Engagement.
Technology Enhanced Learning
This unit uses a Learning Management System for the provision of lecture and tutorial content, required and/or further readings, and other unit material. Recorded lectures will be made available to students through this system.
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures are used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes and professional standards and criteria consistent with University assessment requirements. (http://www.acu.edu.au/policy/student_policies/assessment_policy_and_assessment_procedures).
The assessment tasks and their weightings are designed to allow students to progressively demonstrate achievement against the unit learning outcomes.
The assessment tasks are sequenced to allow feedback and progressive development. Task 1 early task to support first year students. It engages with some initial preparation phase of community engagement and allows students a chance to engage in early critical reflection on their local community and context. Task 2 is a written task which allows the pre-service teacher the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of sociocultural issues for teaching and learning. Task 2 and 3 enables the pre-service teacher to develop professional communication skill and present their understanding of sociocultural theories.
Minimum Achievement Standards
The assessment tasks and their weighting for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome. In order to pass this unit, students are required to submit all assessment tasks, meet the learning outcomes of the unit and achieve a minimum overall passing grade of 50% and complete the Hurdle task, prior to completing 35 hours of community engagement activities.
Electronic Submission, Marking and Return
Electronic submission is used for submitting, marking, and returning of assessment tasks. Assessment tasks will be returned within three weeks of submission.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment Task 1: Preparation for Community Engagement Community organizations contribute to increasing awareness of the needs of families and communities. Prior to commencing the Community Engagement placement, pre-service teachers must complete a series of compulsory preparation and provide evidence of the following: 1. Online preparation modules Attainment of a score of 95% or above in each module is required. The modules cover:
2. Anaphylaxis training 3. Working with Children Check or a Police Check 4. Child Safe online module: Online multiple choice or short answer questions in four sub-modules. Students will need to attain a mark of 75% or more in each sub-module before progressing to the next sub-module. 5. A short written reflection of 2-3 organisations you would like to complete your community engagement placement at identifying the community a context of the services the organisation provides. | Part 5 10% | LO1 | GA5 |
Assessment Task 2: Scholarly Response Analysis of two sociocultural issues raised in scholarly journal articles and course content with implications for teaching and learning. Pre-service teachers choose from the following issues:
Responses should cover assigned and extended readings and be based on an analysis of issues/ideas raised (not a summary of the readings). | 50% | LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5 | GA1, GA2, GA4, GA6 |
Assessment Task 3: Presentation Presentation on a chosen issue selected from the list below. Pre-service teachers analyse an issue and the implications for education drawing on relevant sociocultural theory and wider reading. Pre-service teachers may draw on contemporary examples in the media. Duration of the presentation is up to 15 minutes. The choice of topic must be different from the topic selected for assignment 2. Examples include:
| 40% | LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5 | GA1, GA2, GA4, GA6 |
Representative texts and references
Apple, M. (2014). Official knowledge: Democratic education in a conservative age (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Australian Children’s Commissioners and Guardians (2019). National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. https://childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/national-principles.
Ball, S. (2012). Politics and policy making in education: Explorations in sociology. Hoboken, NY: Taylor and Francis.
Ball, S. (2012). The micro-politics of the school: Towards a theory of school organisation. New York, NY: Routledge.
Blair, N. (2015). Aboriginal Education: More than adding perspectives. In Noelene L. Weatherby-Fell (Ed). Learning to Teach in the Secondary School. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.189-208.
Evans, P. (2013). Educating preservice teachers for family, school and community engagement. Teaching Education (24), 2, 123-133.
Lareau, A. (2011). Unequal childhoods: class, race, and family Life. (2nd ed.). Berkley, CA: University of California Press.
McDonald, M. et al. (2013). Learning to see students: Opportunities to develop relational practices of teaching through community-based placements in teacher education. Teachers College Record, 115, 040304.
Mills, C., & Gale, T. (2010). Schooling in disadvantaged communities: Playing the game from the back of the field. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.
Tait, G. 2019). Making sense of mass education (3rd ed.). Port Melbourne, Vic: Cambridge University Press.
Welch, A.R., & Connell, R. (2018. Education, change and society (4th ed.). South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.