EDF4122 - Teaching partnerships: Working with families and communities - 2017

This unit examines teaching partnerships across the many ages and stages of learning. The work of teachers must recognise the way in which communities within and beyond the school operate as sites of learning. Teachers focus on the crucial work of building and maintaining relationships with families and care givers and in creating partnerships with them and others in the broader education community. The unit enables students to identify the key education stakeholders in their school and its community and then develop the skills and knowledge to build relationships and create partnerships across networks. Students have the opportunity to consider the ethics and protocols of engaging with diverse families and communities as well as establishing sustainable partnerships with diverse stakeholders. Students both investigate partnerships and actively contribute to building sustainable partnerships.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. identify a broad range of education partners in an education setting
2. understand and engage with education policy, theories, legislation and research that position teachers' work as responsible for building and maintaining relationships and partnerships
3. apply the protocols and adhere to the ethics of establishing diverse family, community and education partnerships, especially in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
4. participate in a range of partnership building exercises and apply these to developing strategies for effective education partnership work
5. engage with local and professional communities to inform responses to education priorities and enhance learning.

Critical review of teachers' work in engagement and partnerships (2000 words, 50%)

Case study: engaging with a partnership (2000 words equivalent, 50%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • equivalent to 24 hours engagement in online, face-to-face or blended platforms
2. Contact hours for off-campus students:
   • equivalent to 24 hours engagement in online or blended platforms
3. Additional requirements (all students)
   • independent study to make up the minimum required hours per semester

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Denise Chapman

Early years education

Early years and primary education

Primary education

Primary and secondary education

Secondary education