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Unit outline_

EDPD5012: Principles of Positive Behaviour Support

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is designed to investigate the research and evidence-based techniques and procedures, that teachers and community workers can use to promote pro-social behavior, and prevent inappropriate behaviour from arising. A wide range of theories and principles will be discussed including the processes involved in a whole school commitment to promoting positive behaviour outcomes; collaboration and consultation; the effects of communication and teacher behaviour on student outcomes. Practices and programs designed for supporting the development of positive behaviour will be analysed and critically evaluated.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Cathy Little, cathy.little@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew Krisenthal, andrew.krisenthal@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small test Functional behavioural assessment quizzes
Online quizzes
15% Multiple weeks 750 words (2 quizzes)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO6
Assignment Response paper
Response paper
30% Week 05
Due date: 29 Aug 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO8
Presentation Professional Learning Workshop presentation
Group presentation, in class.
20% Week 07
Due date: 12 Sep 2024 at 19:00
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Professional learning project
Professional development workshop
35% Week 10
Due date: 10 Oct 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7

Assessment summary

  • Response paper: Using the Regulated Restrictive Practices with Children and Young People with Disability paper and your own research, respond adressing the following points: What are restrictive practices? Explain how the rights of children and young people with disabilities are impacted by restrictive practices. Explain how the NDIS Practices and Principles reflect the rights of children and young people with disabilities and the use of restrictive practices.What are the impacts and effects of restrictive practices and why are they used? What are the positive behaviour based alternatives to restrictive practices?

  • Professional learning project: Develop and present a professional learning session for adults on a specific Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategy.  The project to be submitted will require content for a sixty minute session, but you are required to present a fifteen minute summary to the class during the meeting in week 7. The in-class presentation will typically be made as a joint presentation with another student, however the submission of the sixty minute assignment will be made individually.
  • Basic functional behavioural assessment quizzes: The concurrent contextual assessment project should be the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills associated with functional behavioural assessment. The 2 on-line quizzes are designed to develop the technical knowledge and skills aligned with functional behavioural assessment. The quizzes will mainly consist of multiple choice questions that need to be completed within 30 minutes.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to unit; Setting the scene for behaviour support and understanding the Positive Behaviour Framework Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Theories, principles and models of behaviour management and support Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 03 Multi-tiered systems of behavioural support Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Social and Emotional Learning: Identifying and Teaching Behaviour Skills through Personal and Social Capabilities Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Classroom Climate, Case Studies and Practical Planning: Applying the framework and skills to support students Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO7 LO9
Week 06 Trauma-informed practices and behaviour Seminar (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Professional learning project: In-class presentations Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO9
Week 08 Assessment for behaviour: Functional Assessment Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Behaviour intervention and support plans Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO8 LO9
Week 10 Mental health and wellbeing; Anti-bullying in schools Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Reactive responses to student behaviour: Suspension, expulsion and the Juvenile Justice pipeline Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO6 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Families, communities, collaboration and teams Seminar (2 hr) LO6 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas along with posts in the weekly modules.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of positive behaviour support
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) as applied to a range of natural contexts
  • LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the recent research in the prevention and reduction of problem behaviours
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of effective and inclusive classroom support practices
  • LO5. identify effective multi-tiered systems-based strategies that prevent disruptive behaviour in teaching environments
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in a whole school commitment to promoting student wellbeing
  • LO7. demonstrate an awareness of adult behaviours and teacher/student interactions that affect engagement, wellbeing and discipline
  • LO8. demonstrate an understanding of the behavioural characteristics of exceptional students
  • LO9. assess contextual factors that contribute to the development and continuation of problem behaviour.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback has resulted in changes over the past offerings with changes to the structure, weeks of topics, inclusion of Trauma Informed Practice and assessment task topics. There is also an increase in the practical application of learning.

More information can be found on Canvas and will also be provided in class.

All assessment tasks are to be submitted for this unit.

The use of Chat GPT or other AI programs in assessments or written work must be acknowledged. Failure to do so may result in a breach of academic honesty. 

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.