Master of Speech Pathology - development of new modules

Description

From reflection:
Reflection on scholarly learning and teaching activity:
Development of new modules on evidence-based literacy and neurodiversity affirming practice
As a course we aim to prepare students who will become competent and confident speech-language pathologists upon graduation. During our team reflection upon the Master course at the end of 2021 I noticed a marked absence of two topics that are central to contemporary speech pathology practice: (1) evidence-based literacy and (2) neurodiversity affirming practice. These are two topics which make up the bulk of paediatric speech pathologists’ caseloads and need to be an intentional focus of our course. I asked the speech pathology team if I would be able to create a module on each to add to our Master of Speech Pathology course. Space was found for these modules in the subject SPH533. Both of these topics are areas of personal passion as I have a son on the Autism spectrum and I have seen the impact of poor literacy instruction upon countless children I have worked with. I worked hard to source the latest evidence-based research to create engaging modules on each of these topics. I created podcast episodes, short video lectures and multiple other resources to engage students in these topics. Upon the first delivery of these topics in session 60 I found the students to be highly engaged, with tutorial discussions flowing fast. I very much enjoyed teaching the modules and gained very positive feedback from student on the recent SuES data for the subject. From this experience I learned the importance of being critical of existing content and ensuring that it is updated with evidence-based theories and modules as our knowledge of certain areas change. Both of these topics are controversial as they ask SLPs to question practices that we have been doing for decades and to use the latest data to question and change our practices for the better. I feel proud of the new modules knowing they reflect the values of our team and what we which to portray to our students.

Period	01 May 2022 → 01 Sept 2022
Held at	Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences
Degree of Recognition	Regional