Scholarships in special education
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Scholarship areas include studying potentially gifted children |
Four PhD scholarships for full-time doctoral study are available in the Macquarie University Special Education Centre (MUSEC) from 2007.
MUSEC is an internationally recognised research centre, at the cutting edge of research and development in evidence-based approaches to special educational practices.
The scholarships on offer involve:
- improving the literacy skills of Aboriginal students struggling to learn to read
- the use of multi-sensory environments in the education of students with high support needs
- exploring the use of picture communication symbols by students with severe intellectual disability and complex communication needs
- exploring the identification of, and intervention for, potentially gifted children in child-care settings.
A non-categorical approach to effective literacy instruction for Aboriginal low-progress readers
This project provides the opportunity for a doctoral student to work with Indigenous communities to improve their literacy levels. The aim is to demonstrate that students from Aboriginal backgrounds can make large gains in reading and related skills when offered non-categorical, intensive skills-based instruction. The project will entail the design, analysis and reporting of a series of evaluation studies which will be completed with Aboriginal students in urban, regional and remote locations.
Functional use of picture communication symbols by students with severe intellectual disabilities and complex communication needs
Pictures systems are often introduced into the educational programs of students with severe intellectual disabilities, but little is known about whether the use of pictures becomes functional. Through the analysis of video tapes of communicative interactions as well as interviews with teachers and care-givers the project will explore functional use of picture symbols and other communication strategies.
The use of multi-sensory environments in the education of students with high support needs
Multi-sensory environments are being increasingly used in schools for students with significant intellectual and other disabilities. Little is known about the ways in which teachers use these installations or their contribution to educational outcomes for students. This project will establish evidence for the efficacy of MSEs and lead to an understanding of why teachers adopt controversial and unproven practices.
Potentially gifted children in childcare: Identification and intervention
Intellectually gifted children have particular learning needs that are different to those of typically developing children. Unless potential giftedness is identified early and appropriate interventions are provided before and during the early years of school, boredom, frustration, underachievement and poor attitudes to school can develop. This project aims to develop feasible and effective procedures for identifying potential giftedness in children attending up to four childcare centres, particularly in disadvantaged areas, where the risk of underestimation is greater.
Application requirements
Applicants must have completed a four year undergraduate degree with first class honours in a relevant discipline such as special education or psychology.
Successful applicants will receive a stipend equivalent to the Australian Postgraduate Award which is currently $19,231 per annum tax exempt for three and a half years of full time study, subject to satisfactory performance. International students will receive tuition for their scholarship tenure.
For further information on each these scholarships and application details visit www.aces.mq.edu.au/musec_st.asp or contact Associate Professor Mark Carter mark.carter@mq.edu.au