| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Specific Learning Difficulties |
| Unit ID: | EDBED4016 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 070113 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
Approximately one in five children in every classroom is thought to experience learning difficulties. Children can experience difficulty with learning for many reasons which can be ameliorated with addtional school-based learning support. This unit explores the learning needs of students including those with specific learning difficulties in areas such as reading, writing, numeracy and language. Students will build their professional knowledge of the nature and causes of learning difficulties and will also examine specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and identify and apply teaching strategies that support learning for neuro-diverse students. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | |  | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Distinguish between the terms learning disability and learning difficulty, and the known causes and interrelatedness of individual, social or environmental factors related to each term |
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| K2. | Explore and analyse the learning needs of students, including those with specific learning difficulties in areas such as reading, writing, numeracy and language |
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| K3. | Examine specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia |
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| K4. | Apply relevant legislative requirements such as the Disability Standards for Education 2005 |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Identify school-based learning supports and recognise, apply and assess teaching strategies that support learning for children |
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| S2. | Recognise common signs in students who are experiencing difficulty with learning and identify educational needs and supports |
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| S3. | Share knowledge as a professional educator in an articulate and authoritative manner |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Investigate a specific learning difficulty, detailing identification, known causes, and identify targeted strategies and assessments to support learning |
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| A2. | Identify, assess and implement interventions to support students with learning difficulties |
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| Unit Content: |
• Causes of learning difficulties, eg student-related causes, social and environmental causes
• Neuro-diversity in the classroom
• The difference between a learning difficulty and a learning disability
• Common signs of learning difficulties
• Specific learning disabilities, eg dyslexia, dysgraphia, discalculia
• Assessment for learning difficulties
• Personalised lessons and activities for students
• Coaching for parents and carers
• Student agency in designing their own learning
• Individual learning plans
• The Disability Standards for Education 2005 and the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1 K2 K3 K4 S1 S2 S3 A1 APST 1.1, 1.2, 1.6 | Present on a selected learning difficulty, detailing identification, known causes, and identify targeted strategies to support learning for a student | Presentation | 40-60% | | 2. | K1 K2 K3 K4 S1 S2 A2 APST 1.1, 5.4, 7.2 | Respond to a case study, providing in depth interventions to support learning | Case study analysis | 40-60% |
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