Inclusive Classrooms professional learning program

Inclusive Classrooms offers a suite of courses for school staff designed specifically for the Victorian education context. The courses focus on practical teaching strategies, adjustments and supports at the school, classroom and individual levels.

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Overview

The Inclusive Classrooms professional learning program is part of the Inclusive Education Professional Learning system initiative supporting Disability Inclusion. It is designed to strengthen the capability of education workforces to improve support for students with disability in schools.

Inclusive Classrooms supports school staff in implementing inclusive practice by providing a suite of high-quality professional learning courses. Some courses are blended (including online and face-to-face or virtual components) and some are fully online.

All courses have been co-designed by the Department of Education in partnership with national and state peak bodies.

Eligibility

The department designed each Inclusive Classrooms course specifically for Department of Education school staff. Participation for all courses is fully funded.

Components of the blended learning courses focus on student assessment, goal setting and program planning. For this reason, education support staff in classroom support roles must participate alongside a teacher from their school.

School staff can access fully online courses at any time.

Blended learning courses

The blended learning courses are facilitator-led and are undertaken over 8 weeks. There are 4 intakes per year. Intakes usually open a month before the course start date.

Accelerated courses undertaken over 2 weeks for those with relevant prior learning are also available. We arrange these intakes upon request.

Blended learning courses include:

  • self-paced online modules
  • opportunities to collaborate with others in online discussions and reflect on your own learning
  • 2 x 1.5 hour live sessions (face-to-face or virtual)
  • 2 tasks to ensure learning is meaningful and applied.

Successful completion of an Inclusive Classrooms blended learning course provides eligibility to claim 20 hours of professional learning contributing to relevant association registration requirements.

Become a course facilitator

Facilitating an Inclusive Classrooms blended learning course provides an opportunity for school-based and regional/area-based staff to actively build the capability of others. Course facilitation also strengthens knowledge, skills, leadership and coaching competencies.

To become an Inclusive Classrooms facilitator for the:

  • Supporting students with autism course,
  • Supporting students with learning difficulties including dyslexia course,
  • Supporting students with oral language and learning course,

you need to complete the course, apply, and seek manager or principal endorsement. Following this, facilitators need to complete the fully online Inclusive Classrooms Facilitator Training.

Support available

Schools can get reimbursed for Casual Relief Teacher expenses when school-based facilitators run blended learning courses to upskill others. Regional Online Professional Learning Coordinators are also available to support participants and facilitators.

Fully online courses

How to apply

For more information on Inclusive Classrooms courses, including intake dates, view the Inclusive Classrooms Professional Learning Catalogue.

Disability Inclusion https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/disability-inclusion

Diverse Learners Hub https://www.vic.gov.au/diverse-learners-hub

Graduate Certificate in Education program https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/graduate-certificate-education-learning-difficulties-program

Masters of Inclusive Education program https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/master-inclusive-education-program

Inclusion Outreach Coaching Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives: Inclusion Outreach Coaching initiative (Reference 136) | education.vic.gov.au

Contact us

If you would like more information and/or are interested in running an Inclusive Classrooms course at your school, please email the Inclusive Classrooms team at inclusive.classrooms@education.vic.gov.au

Education

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