This micro-credential is ideal for practising and pre-service teachers, support workers, and allied health practitioners who work within the education sector, as well as parents and carers of students with learning difficulties.

Relevant experience or professional learning within the education sector is desirable but not an eligibility requirement for this course.

Introduction to Learning Difficulties is co-designed by SPELD Victoria, the state's peak body for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs). SPELD Victoria has helped people with SLDs including dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia for over 50 years.

This deep industry knowledge, combined with academic expertise from the University of Melbourne means you can be confident you're learning contemporary best practices from industry leaders.

Throughout the course, you'll gain evidence-based knowledge and tools that you can immediately apply in your educational context to better respond to the needs of students with learning difficulties or SLDs.

Introduction to Learning Difficulties can contribute to professional development (PD) hours for VIT registered teachers, and it is mapped to the following professional standards:

• APST 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5
• Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia 1.6, .3, 3.4, 3.5
• International Dyslexia Association Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS), 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8
• Psychology Board of Australia Registration Standard: Continuing Professional Development.

By the end of this micro-credential, you'll be able to:

• Define key characteristics of learners at risk of specific learning disabilities (SLDs)
• Examine the impact of learning difficulties, including SLDs, on social, emotional and academic development
• Justify the ‘next steps’ for identifying and addressing learning difficulties, including SLDs.

This online course runs over six weeks. Your total time commitment is approximately 42 hours, which includes:

• 12 hours of guided learning
• 6 hours of independent study
• 4 hours of peer learning
• 20 hours of assessment

Assessment:

• Concept map (40%)
• 'Next steps' outline 60%).

Once you've successfully completed this course, you will be awarded your Introduction to Learning Difficulties micro-credential. This digital certificate will warrant the achievement of knowledge, skills and capabilities outlined in the learning outcomes. It may also include artefacts (such as videos and written material) related to both experiential and work-integrated learning, including translatable assessment that is practical to your professional life. You can also share your micro-credential digitally and via social media by adding it to your personal platforms, such as LinkedIn. See example certificate.

Introduction to Learning Difficulties can be taken as a stand-alone course, or you can complement it with additional micro-credentials in the Supporting Students with Learning Difficulties series, in any order you choose.

The series also includes:

• Using Response to Intervention to Support Learning

Delivered fully online, this course provides a convenient way to develop your skillset from a location that suits you. Within our digital learning environment, you'll take part in synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. You’ll have an opportunity to engage with other community members, such as practising teachers, carers, parents and education specialists in a variety of roles.

You'll have access to videos of researchers and educational leaders as well as key case studies. You'll also take part in live, interactive webinars and discussion boards with your peers, plus complete independent study to deepen your knowledge of the content.

There is no set expiry date.