Designing for socially inclusive learning

Social inclusion is a commitment to improve the ability and opportunity of all individuals and groups to succeed in education. Many learners, especially those from diverse ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as people living with disabilities or health conditions, are frequently excluded. Effective learning design can help to empower learners, educators and society.

This unit develops your knowledge of strategies for differentiating learning designs to meet the specific learning needs of students with diverse backgrounds. You will explore key principles of respect, dignity, ethics of care, inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. You will also learn about policies, legislation and research on inclusive education practice in Australia and worldwide.

This unit includes a focus on culturally sensitive designs informed by the knowledges and practices of Australian First Nations peoples as well as those of other nations. Drawing on this deeper understanding of learner diversity and needs, you will investigate their implications in relation to educational design, with particular focus on inclusive design principles and frameworks such as Universal Design for Learning.