This online short course is built around video content featuring actual teachers, administrators and other experts, as well as self-paced toolkit activities that allow you to engage in scenarios, answer questions, write personal reflections and develop your own resources for use in the classroom.

As a baseline you can complete the six modules (30 hours) and receive a certificate of participation to acknowledge completion of the course. This fulfils the Victorian Institute of Teaching requirement for 20 hours of professional learning.

In addition, you can present your toolkit for formal portfolio assessment. In this scenario, the combination of course completion and portfolio grading is the equivalent of 6 credit points into a postgraduate award course.

The Casual Relief Teaching short course was co-designed by a range of stakeholders who participated in workshops to identify the key themes and areas of learning, plus key skills and knowledge.

A variety of teachers, administrators and other experts provided insights and advice as well as routines and policy procedures.

This short course has a duration of 20-30 hours (or 45 hours with formal portfolio for assessment).

This course is structured in six modules, each covering a different facet of casual relief teaching.  

This introductory module explains the requisite knowledge, skills and dispositions required for working as a casual relief teacher; describes the role of a Daily Organiser at a school, and explores the experiences of using ICT in a school setting.

The second module sees you exploring a local school community, outlining what you know about the trace connections between Country and community, drafting your own Acknowledgement of Country and developing an activity that helps students understand their country.

In module three you’ll develop an understanding the importance of school policies, learn how to find and apply school policies, and further your understanding of relevant legislative requirements.

The second half of this online short course finds you completing a scenario walkthrough of another teacher's lesson plan, reflecting on how you might approach different lesson plan scenarios, sharing lesson ideas and exploring other students' ideas for lesson ideas, and considering your bank of brain activities – as well as developing a bank of additional brain-break resources.

The fifth module focuses on developing techniques to build rapport with your students, reflecting on ways you can share your authentic self, exploring strategies for welcoming students into the classroom, and developing and sharing strategies for building connections with your peers.

In the final module, you will reflect on the advice given from teaching staff and how you can apply this in your own professional practice, You’ll also share and reflect on advice regarding self-care, burnout and your support network, and recap the course’s key takeaways.