EDF5839 · Positive learning relationships and environments

Overview

This unit focuses on the relational aspects of teaching and learning. You will explore a range of curriculum documents that support building personal and social capabilities that contribute to positive classroom environments and relationships with, and between students and the wider community. You will be provided with practical strategies and ideas about ways to build positive student relationships and to understand reasons behind student behaviour and address challenging behaviours. The practical component of the unit will support you to develop strategies for co-creating classrooms environments that are conducive to rigorous learning that minimise challenging behaviour. You will consider how to proactively create supportive and dynamic learning environments while at the same time being responsive to incidents of conflict and challenging behaviours that occur within that learning environment. Unit activities will model effective classroom communication and pedagogical strategies. You will explore the philosophy and practice of key approaches that build learning communities and challenge mainstream punitive practices. You will be supported to think critically and creatively as you experience and practice the creation of safe, supportive and healthy learning environments within your own university classroom.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. demonstrate enhanced professional knowledge and understanding of how to create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
2. demonstrate enhanced ability to plan for and implement effective teaching and learning within supportive and safe learning environments
3. use a range of strategies to support full student engagement and participation in classroom activities (including verbal and non-verbal communication)
4. apply practical understanding of the organisation of classroom activities and space
5. apply a range of effective classroom pedagogical strategies specifically related to knowledge of practical responses to conflict, harm and challenging behaviour.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: • 24 hours* of scheduled learning delivered on campus via weekly/regular directed learning activities; and • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement. *Subject to variation due to professional experience requirements

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.