Sociological Understanding for Improving Education in Australia

Discuss how a sociological
understanding of each of the
following topics might be
useful for secondary school
teachers in Australia in
improving education

TABLE OF CONTENT
SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS ....................................................................................................1
POLITICS OF EDUACTION ........................................................................................................2
CULTURE AND/ ETHNIC DIFFERENCES ................................................................................4
GENDER.........................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCE LIST 1......................................................................................................................7
REFERENCE LIST 2......................................................................................................................9

SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS
Association between social economic status and education
Socio-economic status refers to the position of a individual in socio-economical scale
which calculates factors such as education, income, types of job profession, residency places and
attribute & religions etc. For example an individual person's class in society is basically
dependent on his income which demonstrate socio-economical status. Social and economical
condition gives negative impact on student education. Australian teachers are unable to give
proper education due to socio-economic gaps among children. For example on the basis of Child
Social Exclusion Index, some students of Australia doesn't get computer based study that leads
negative impact in student's eduction (Motoi, 2018). On the basis of parental income and
parental occupation, some students are unable to take digital education, thus economical factor
impacts education. Separation of society on the basis of socio-economical status such as upper,
upper middle, middle class, working and lower class etc. affect eduction system. For example
upper class students gets academic achievement in early year of schooling and are more focused
in learning task while lower class students may not have equal opportunities of academic
achievement due to economical condition.
Social class and inequality
Social class is defined as the social division on the basis of economic and societal status
such as on the basis of race, origin or religion. According to Gay, G. (2018) deficit theory the
learners who belongs to low or poor socio-economic environment have limited linguistic sources
which restrict their abilities and potential to achieve success. The theory also states that these
social and economic deficiencies in home environment affect skills, behavioural and knowledge
level of individual learners contributing in poor school performance. For instance if children
have crisis for food or safe living environment then they may fail to concentrate on studies and it
will be impossible for them to think of additional educational resources to enhance learning.
The socio-economic conditions of students affect the aim of achieving equitable
outcomes within classrooms. Along with the schooling there is need to align the strategies to
alleviate the racism, poverty and other social injustice. The students from disadvantage groups
does not have access to fair opportunities of learning and exploring their knowledge. The quality
and supportive classrooms may be supported by cross curriculums and their application.
However such approaches may not be able to specific subject contents such as in mathematics.
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Pedagogies from sociological perspective
Productive pedagogies refers classroom planning that teachers exercises to monitor and
improve students intelligence. It is influenced by intellectual quality, connectedness, supportive
classroom environment, valuing and working with different ways. Thus use of effective
pedagogical framework will help me to develop a classroom environment which delivers quality
education to all the students irrespective of their social class and background (David, 2016).
During my teaching practices I must assure that subjects must be promoted from different
perspectives so that individual students from various social background can affirm their worth of
diverse social background.
This pedagogical model assist in promoting high quality education for lower class student
in Australia. Primary goal of this model is to remove social class differences among Australian
students and supports of classroom for approaching high level outcomes for students (Stephens
and et.al., (2015). This framework can use in sociological perspective like intellectual quality,
connectedness, supportive classroom environment and valuing and working with different ways
which can help to overcome some issues like social class and deficit thinking for example low
income, minority of students lack of learning process (e.g. lack of motivation, homeless
condition and limited intelligence). For example during my teaching practices I used to
encourage students to gain as much as knowledge as possible. For this I used to provide them
classroom notes and internet access within schools. It helps all learners to receive in-depth
learning irrespective of the fact that if they can afford internet or not.
Intellectual quality: It is a structure of productive pedagogy's framework which is important for
social class of students and their academic ability. It represents intellectual challenging work. It
assists secondary class students who belong to low socio-economic background. Australian
teachers organizes many structural practices in schools (Tsiplakides, 2017). For example I used
to give challenging work which is important for all student. Such kind practices helpful to
enhance student outcome and remove differences in social class.
Connectedness: It is second dimension of productive pedagogy. Through this aspect I used to
focuses on developing student through making discipline in class because active learning can
come with the discipline. This concept is specially designed to fulfil needs of low learning
outcome of students. It leads self-esteem and production of idea in students.
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