This unit will provide an introduction to rural, regional and remote issues for the teaching profession.  We will draw on theoretical frameworks and concepts from cultural psychology, post modernism and post colonialism to critically explore contemporary issues affecting the sustainability of rural and regional communities.  The role of the rural and regional school, indigenous issues, globalisation and other contextual factors in shaping our realities will be considered.  Major aims of the unit will be to explore own makeup as Australians in a multi cultural environment and the impacts this has on living and teaching in a rural or regional context.  For example, we may investigate how cultural, social, environmental and ecological factors impact on the well being of family and rural communities, education, indigenous, migrant, health and recreational issues and become familiar with the array of support agencies to rural communities.  This unit will also emphasise the issues relating to the structure of education in rural Australia, teaching practice and curriculum delivery methods appropriate to a rural context, the integration of advanced teaching technologies with current information, communication technologies will be integrated with the connected rural practicum component.