Working with Students with Special Needs

This unit will focus on developing knowledge and skills to teach students with special learning needs who are in mainstream schools and classrooms. Key themes that will be explored in this unit include; the evolution of special education in Victorian Schools, inclusive diversity in special education settings and positive behavioural support interventions when working with young learners with special needs.

The unit also includes: (1) an examination of a general model for teaching learners with special learning needs; (2) an investigation into learning characteristics of students with special learning needs to identify the most appropriate instructional and pedagogic procedures; (3) provision of a safe and secure classroom environment and the development of in-class relationships that support learning; (4) classroom environment procedures likely to facilitate learning (eg. appropriate grouping strategies, classroom management, peer and teacher/student relationships, individualised programs; and (5) the use of technology to facilitate learning for students with special learning needs.