EDU204 - Literacy, Numeracy and Multi-Tier Systems of Supports (MTSS) Across the Curriculum

Unit details

Year

2026 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: To be advised
Cohort rule:Nil
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: ECN704, ECN725, ECN733, ECN734, ECN736, EEE754, EEE755, EEE756, EEH730, EMS712
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 3-hour on-campus seminar per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

1 x 1-hour online lecture per week

1 x 1-hour online seminar per week

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Content

This unit provides an examination  of evidence-based research in literacy, numeracy, and learning development, with a particular emphasis on diverse learners. Students will be introduced to the importance of explicit instruction for literacy, and early-reading development, and  the importance of explicit instruction for numeracy. Through this unit students will engage with explicit literacy and numeracy instruction across disciplines and investigate  strategies for incorporating this explicit instruction into planning across the curriculum.

 A key aspect of this unit is the integration of Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS), which provides a structured framework for delivering differentiated instruction and intervention at increasing levels of intensity based on student need.

A particular focus is placed on applying research-driven strategies within specialist subject areas, particularly in the middle and later years of education. Students will be introduced to teaching methodologies designed to support literacy and numeracy development,  assessing their efficacy in diverse educational settings. The implementation of MTSS within this context teaches students to  identify, support, and monitor learners across various tiers of intervention, from universal instruction to targeted and intensive support.

This unit enables students to begin to acquire the expertise required to make informed, data-driven decisions that enhance literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Learning outcomes

ULO These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)
ULO1

Identify appropriate subject matter expertise in the effective teaching of literacy, and explicit teaching practices for the following elements: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and oral language.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
ULO2

Identify appropriate subject matter expertise in the effective teaching of numeracy including the explicit teaching of mathematics and building of fluency, understanding, problem solving and reasoning.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
ULO3

Identify research into literacy and numeracy that leads to improved student understanding of, and engagement with, material within and beyond the Mathematics and English curriculum. Begin to demonstrate an understanding of professional, legal and ethical responsibility of teachers to embed literacy and numeracy strategies across the curriculum.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking
ULO4

Apply the principles of Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) to design, and implement differentiated literacy and numeracy interventions, ensuring effective instructional support across varying levels of student need.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

GLO4: Critical thinking
ULO5

Demonstrate an ability to identify, support, and monitor learners across various tiers of intervention within the MTSS framework, ensuring appropriate levels of support from universal instruction to targeted and intensive interventions. Students will demonstrate the ability to implement tier 1 in the classroom.

GLO5: Problem solving

GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment Description Student Output Grading and Weighting (% total mark for unit) Indicative Due Week

Assessment 1: Annotated Lesson Plan and Written Response

1000 words or equivalent 40% Week 5

Assessment 2: MTSS

2000 words or equivalent

60% Week 10

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning resource

The texts and reading list for EDU204 can be found via the University Library.

Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.