Pre-service teachers must develop an awareness of the increasingly complex contexts in which they will work as well as be conscious of, sensitive to and skilled in responding to sociocultural diversity and the unique family, community and societal experiences children bring to their learning.

This unit develops pre-service teacher knowledge and understanding of the historical context, policy frameworks, legislation and sociocultural factors influencing the experiences of learners in Australian educational settings. Pre-service teachers will draw on recent scholarly literature, educational policies and sociological theories to inform their knowledge and understanding of some of the key contemporary issues facing children, young people, schools, early learning settings and the broader community.

The overall aim of this unit is to develop the critical thinking skills required for researching, analysing, applying and reflecting on evidence-based strategies that support diverse school contexts and inclusive educational settings.