Description
This course is for teachers working with special educational needs students in mainstream and special education schools. The course has been tailored to meet the needs of teachers by providing teaching and assessment methods, strategies and tools to address the distinctive learning needs of their students. Through case study discussion and sharing of good practices and ICT tools participants will understand and deal with the key challenges of special education including:
- Recognizing students’ special needs (e.g. autism spectrum, intellectual disabilities);
- Identifying and assessing students with special needs (e.g. curriculum-based measurement);
- Designing differentiated activities to access general curriculum;
- Applying teaching methods and strategies (e.g. task analysis, physical guidance) to deliver individual educational plan goals and objectives;
- Using ICT tools to support all learners;
- Professional and home – school collaboration.
By the end of the course, participants will gain a greater insight into issues regarding teaching and learning in special, integration and inclusion settings identifying the barriers and the necessary resources for successfully addressing students’ learning educational needs in effective and functional ways that will promote collaboratively students` participation and achievement within the school community.
Learning Outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Gain a greater insight into issues regarding teaching and learning in special, integration and inclusion settings;
- Identify the barriers and the necessary resources for successfully addressing students’ learning educational needs in effective and functional ways;
- Be able to promote collaboratively students’ participation and achievement within the school community.
Tentative Schedule
The schedule describes likely activities but may differ significantly based on the requests of the participants, and the trainer delivering the specific session. Course modifications are subject to the trainer’s discretion. If you would like to discuss a specific topic, please indicate it at least 4 weeks in advance.
Day 1 – Course introduction & Participant presentations
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities
- Presentations of the participants’ school
- The nature of Special Needs
Day 2 – Getting to know the main special educational needs
- Introduction to main special educational needs
- Group work: exchanging practices.
- Teaching students with Specific Learning Disabilities
- Individual and group practical activities
Day 3 – Teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Introduction to the traits and learning styles of students with ASD
- Techniques and strategies for students with ASD in the classroom to support communication, social interaction, and positive behavior
- Presentation of cases
- Individual and group practical activities -Roleplay
- The role of peers: positive relationships and support in and out of the classroom
Day 4 – Teaching students with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADD) and/or Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
- Recognizing students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Teaching techniques for students with ADHD/ADD
- Managing the classroom environment for students with ADHD/ADD
- Individual and group practical activity
- Evidence-Based Classroom Practices to improve student behavior with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
- Behavior Intervention Plan: Practical group activity aiming to promote positive behavior in students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders based on a case study
Day 5 – Teaching students with Intellect and/or Developmental Delay & Teaching Students with Physical Impairments
- Teaching strategies for students with Intellect and/or Developmental Delay
- Individual and group practical activities
- Useful practices for Teaching Students with Physical Impairments
- Partnering with parents to create an inclusive school together.
- Group work: exchanging practices facilitating inclusion of all students in every school environment
Day 6 – Course closure & Cultural activities
Course closure
- Course evaluation: round up of acquired competences, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
Cultural activities
Excursion and other external cultural activities.
Before the course, 