Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation

Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation

There are important Non-academic abilities you will need to complete this program.

The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during practical placement and on-campus learning activities.

Please note: The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, a range of support adjustments to your study conditions is available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) to discuss any adjustments you may require.

By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:

  • Gain a clear understanding of the program's demands
  • Identify any support needs you might have during your studies
  • Make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you

If you are living with disability, long-term illness, and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities within your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Services.

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff, and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.

As part of the Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation program, you will undertake practical placement in a classroom, working as an Education Support Worker (ESW). The following information outlines examples of the fundamental tasks you will be expected to carry out during on-campus learning activities and your practical placement.

These examples are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

A range of adjustments to your study conditions are available to enable and support you to undertake these tasks. Please contact the Equitable Learning Services to discuss any adjustments you may require.

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Expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

You need to be able to understand and respond to verbal communication.

On campus, this will assist you in your work with teachers and peers to:

  • establish relationships
  • participate in class work
  • undertake group work
  • complete assessments.

In your practical placement in the classroom environment, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, your supervising teacher, and the students. It will assist you in establishing relationships, undertaking assessments, and supporting student learning. You need to be able to communicate clear instructions and explanations in a timely and appropriate manner.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances and other reasonable adjustments may be available for in-class learning activities and assessments.

Practical placement activities in classroom environments may require responsive and clear communication under time constraints. This should be discussed with your Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as:
eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity, and verbal turn-taking.

Students need to be able to recognise, interpret, use, and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately to:

  • build relationships
  • support their own learning and others’.

In practical placement in the classroom and on-campus oral presentation assessments, tasks which require social communication abilities include:

  • participating in oral presentation assessments
  • identifying when a student is in distress or upset from their facial expression or body posture
  • responding to students with open body language, eye contact, and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to adaptations on how you use non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

You need to read and understand a range of written materials in various forms from sources such as on-screen content, reference materials, and handwritten notes.

Students need to be able to read instructions, assessments, reference materials, and feedback.

In the practical placement classroom environment, the ability to read, understand, and interpret written information is fundamental for supporting student learning.

Tasks may include:

  • Reading instructions or directions to support student learning
  • Reading student work to offer constructive feedback

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during practical placements should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Students need to produce coherent written communication to complete assessments and in-class learning activities.

In the practical placement classroom environment, the ability to communicate accurately in writing is fundamental for supporting student learning. Tasks require clear, concise, accurate, and time-efficient writing such as:

  • Providing written feedback on spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure to support student learning
  • Contributing to teacher observation or planning notes

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy during on-campus learning activities. The suitability of using software during practical placement should be discussed with your placement coordinator.

Numeracy Skills (Numeracy)

What do I need to be able to do?

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Students need to understand and be able to undertake fundamental mathematics concepts to complete learning activities and assessments.

In practical placement, the ability to accurately work with numbers is important to support student learning. You will need to:

  • Demonstrate maths concepts using concrete materials
  • Check students’ work for accuracy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Discussion with your placement coordinator is essential to determine the practicality of using such software in placement settings.

What do I need to be able to do?

Students need to apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning to complete assessments.

In the practical placement classroom environment, you will need to:

  • Focus, problem-solve, interact, and provide feedback with teachers and students responsively
  • Maintain engagement with students, teachers, and others in the school community throughout a practical placement day

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in learning activities.

Mental wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can realise their own abilities or potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully.

Behavioural stability refers to an individual’s ability to moderate their own behaviour. Stable mental health promotes optimal and safe engagement in on-campus learning environments. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully.

The following services are available to support students living with mental health conditions at RMIT:

What do I need to be able to do?

The learning environment (whether online or on-campus) can be challenging and will require you to engage with peers and teaching staff, reflect on your work and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.

Interpreting simulations and class learning activities can present complex and unpredictable human situations which may require:

  • managing multiple demands with engagement, focus and composure.
  • your performance being recorded either in audio or video format (assessment).
  • managing content of a sensitive, confronting or traumatic nature with objectivity and accuracy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments such can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services(ELS) team. Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability until you are ready to recommence.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

In on-campus learning, you will engage with peers and teaching materials, participate in group work, and respond to feedback.

In practical placement, tasks requiring vision include:

  • Observation of classroom and students
  • Ensuring student safety
  • Accessing teacher instructions (whiteboards, projectors, student materials)
  • Checking students’ work for accuracy

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. Glasses and other visual aids can be used during interpreting simulations and on-campus learning activities.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Services.

Hearing

What do I need to be able to do?

You will need to engage with peers and teaching materials for class and assessment participation.

In the classroom, tasks requiring hearing (or alternatives like lip reading, amplification) include:

  • Communicating with teachers and staff
  • Supporting students

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

What do I need to be able to do?

Practical placement tasks may involve:

  • Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, or bending

In classrooms, gross motor skill tasks include:

  • Safe manual handling (physically assisting students)
  • Moving around classrooms designed for children (small chairs, tables)

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

i.e. The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

Tasks requiring fine motor skills may include:

  • Using scissors, glue
  • Tying/untieing shoelaces
  • Handling pins, paperclips, bulldog clips
  • Handling manipulatives (MAB blocks, unfix cubes, dice, cards)
  • Operating taps and drinking fountains

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Support cannot compromise your ability to work safely and effectively with students.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period. This could include physical performance such as standing or sitting for a period, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

On-campus learning requires:

  • Participation in group work and assessments
  • Reflection and response to feedback

Practical placement requires:

  • Standing and walking during school hours
  • Sustaining concentration to support teachers and students

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Some adjustments may not be practical in placement and require advance negotiation.

Note: All adjustments aim to support your success while ensuring safety for you and the students. Early and ongoing communication with Equitable Learning Services and your Placement Coordinator is essential to plan required supports effectively.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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