Teaching teachers how to teach adolescents: A regional Australian perspective

This chapter describes two Master of Teaching programs at CQUniversity in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. The two programs (primary years and secondary years) straddle the middle years of learning and, thus, together prepare teachers to teach students in the middle years of schooling. In a highly regulated environment, their programs are accredited by the Queensland College of Teachers that enforce the program standards set forth by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership. The authors describe CQUniversity as one of Australia's largest online learning providers, which boasts accessibility for those living in remote and regional areas as a key feature of its programs. The ability to study online enables students to remain in their hometown throughout their program, to complete their practicums in their local areas, and then gain employment in those areas. The programs examined in this chapter boast highly responsive curricula that address the learning needs of students who are mature aged (those who have not recently completed high school), identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, are first-in-family to attend university, or who are from low socio-economic status backgrounds. The university defines itself by who it embraces and is widely recognized as Australia's most inclusive university.