Ensuring all students can access and participate in learning No Images? Click here Inclusive educationUsing inclusive education approaches to learning spaces and teaching practices, such as universal design, is thought to boost achievement of all learners (ADCET 2018). Furthermore, increasing the participation of all students in the classroom is believed to enhance the learning experience for any student. The Australian Government believes that students with disabilities or any level of additional needs should have access to high quality educational opportunities, and be supported to belong to their school community. The main Australian conceptual approaches to inclusive education (ARACY 2012) relate to considering the key features that can assist school communities to open up opportunities, and also combat factors that could exclude or marginalise. By increasing awareness about the barriers to participation in education we are supporting the inclusive education agenda to ensure all students can access and participate in learning with support to meet their individual needs. In this month’s ESA newsletter, we list some resources that you might find helpful as an educator to support an inclusive learning approach. Further readingAustralian Association for Special Education: a broad-based non-categorical association concerned with all who have special education needs. myfuture | Levelling the playing field for university students with disabilitiesFinding work experience can be challenging for students with disability, entering the working world. University students can access the Stepping Into internship program which provides disability support and assistance in transitioning to work. Read more about levelling the playing field for students with disability. Nationally consistent collection of dataThe Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) portal will launch early in 2019. ESA is working with stakeholders throughout Australia to develop an educational service that will simply and effectively meet the needs of classroom teachers, support staff, principals and parents in understanding and implementing the NCCD. Digital Technologies HubThe Digital Technologies Hub will soon be releasing advice for schools on approaches to inclusive education for digital technologies. This includes information about the categories of disability and disorder, state and territory specific advice, and guidance on lesson plans. When creating lesson plans, incorporate universal design for learning, which reflects the following three principles.
The Universal Design for Learning Guidelines provide information about how to use these three principles. View relevant lesson ideas currently available on the Digital Technologies Hub that reflect universal design for learning. Student Wellbeing HubWant to improve student wellbeing and learning outcomes? Start by creating an inclusive classroom where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Research tells us that when diversity is valued and respected, and inclusion is promoted, a cohesive and safe school culture develops. The Student Wellbeing Hub’s Resilient and Inclusive Classrooms professional learning module provides evidence-based practices, strategies and age-appropriate classroom resources to support a positive classroom climate where all can flourish. Find more on the Hub. Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS)Recently published by SCISStudents' brilliant ideas: how the Nagle College Library started Inclusive education in ConnectionsCan we read with our ears? Daring to be different: celebrating diversity in literature The importance of multicultural literature Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA)ELLA is a fun, digital, play-based language learning program for children in preschool. It helps children to become more comfortable with different languages early in life so that they can stay engaged with learning languages in later years. In 2017, the Australian Government Department of Education and Training engaged the Swinburne Babylab at the Swinburne University of Technology to undertake an evaluation of the ELLA apps. Swinburne Babylab examined the effectiveness of the ELLA program to determine whether young children learn from the ELLA apps, and whether the ELLA apps promote an appreciation of a new language. The evaluation found that the ELLA program was effective in introducing new languages to preschool children; raising children’s awareness of other cultures; and engaging children’s interest in learning different languages (Kaufman et al, 2017). From 2019, ELLA will be trialled in Foundation to Year 2 in up to 300 primary schools. To find out more about ELLA, visit the website. Early Childhood Resource HubIn the August newsletter, the Early Childhood Resource Hub focuses on resources that support leadership capacities. It includes a case study, videos that showcase different leadership styles and contexts, research about leadership dispositions, and suggestions for encouraging leadership skills in children. What's new in Scootle? | Primary ConnectionsThree new early years STEM units from the Primary Connections series have now been added to Scootle. Each unit addresses the Australian Curriculum, and incorporates links to mathematics and design technologies. Suitable for Foundation to year 2, they cover chemical sciences, earth and space sciences, and physical sciences. Upcoming eventsConferences ESA is attending
ACCE2–5 October; Sydney Mark these dates in your calendar
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