SPED/531 - Special Education Teaching Methods

Course Description

This course provides an overview of teaching methods used in the K-12 special education classroom, with an emphasis on teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities. Participants examine effective pedagogical practices, multi-tiered systems of supports, positive behavior supports, and the importance of collaboration. Accommodations and modifications for exceptional learners, assistive technology, and critical skills such as study skills, applied academics, and career development and transitions are also explored.

This graduate course is 4 weeks.

PLEASE NOTE:
Attendance and participation are mandatory in all university courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

This course is not available for enrollment to residents of Alabama, Arkansas, and Kentucky.

Course Objectives

Special Education Foundations, Collaboration, and Pedagogical Practices

• Examine the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) categories under which students can receive special education services.
• Examine the general steps to follow during the individualized education program (IEP) development process.
• Describe the importance of communicating and collaborating with families and staff members in order to address the needs of exceptional learners.
• Analyze the benefits and challenges of co-teaching in a general or special education classroom.
• Examine effective pedagogical practices for teaching exceptional learners.

Positive Learning Environment, Behavior Supports, and Multi-Tiered Systems

• Examine essential factors and programs that promote a positive learning environment for exceptional learners.
• Identify common techniques and approaches used in positive behavior support and intervention programs.
• Analyze the major components of multi-tiered systems in education, such as response to intervention (RTI).
• Describe the roles and skill sets that special education teachers must possess.

Differentiating Instruction and Assistive Technology

• Determine strategies for incorporating students’ individualized education program (IEP) objectives into lesson planning.
• Examine the key elements and methods in differentiating instruction to address the needs of exceptional learners.
• Distinguish the differences between accommodations and modifications in lesson planning and instruction.
• Investigate assistive technology tools and resources.

Study Skills, Applied Academics, and Transitions

• Identify instructional approaches and strategies for teaching study skills and applied academics to exceptional learners in order to promote functional competence.
• Identify the transitional phases that occur across grade levels for exceptional learners.
• Determine the most beneficial aspects of career education and development for exceptional learners.

Disclaimers

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.

Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with an Enrollment Representative.