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MD600 Alternative Perspectives
on Special Education
Credit Rating: 20
Tutor/s: Peter
Farrell and others members of the ESI RTG
Aims:
The aim of this unit is to critically review some controversial
issues in key areas related to the education of pupils referred to as
having special educational needs (SEN). The content covers a broad range
of topics that are crucial to the development of effective services. The
unifying theme linking the topics covered on the unit is that they each
address recent theory and research and, as a result, challenge the thinking
and practice of academics, practitioners and service providers.
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit successful students will
be able to:
- Understand the theoretical bases underpinning different
approaches to the assessment of children with learning difficulties;
- Know the strengths and limitations of IQ and attainment
tests in the evaluation of a pupil’s difficulties;
- Understand the link between assessment and effective
programme planning
- Be aware of current debates concerning the assessment
and intervention for pupils with specific difficulties including autism,
dyslexia, ADHD, epilepsy, and physical disabilities;
- Appreciate some of the issues faced by parents of children
with severe disabilities;
- Know about current approaches to assessment and intervention
for pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties;
- Understand the nature and causes of bullying in schools
and be aware of current approaches to intervention.
Key skills
- Debate and discussion
- Literature searches
- Critical evaluation, analysis and synthesis of current
research and advanced scholarship
- Group work
Content:
- Assessment and intervention in special education -
I
- Assessment and intervention in special education - II
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder – current approaches
to identification and intervention
- Approaches to the education of pupils with physical
disabilities
- Current approaches to the education of pupils with profound
and multiple learning difficulties
- Specific learning difficulties/dyslexia – current
controversies in assessment and intervention
- The impact of epilepsy on children’s development
and education
- Working with parents of children with severe disabilities
- Pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties –
current approaches to assessment, and intervention – I
- Pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties –
current approaches to assessment, and intervention – II
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – identification
and intervention
- Bullying in schools
Teaching and learning methods:
Teaching will be conducted through seminars, workshops
and small group work. Each week students will be provided with a set of
readings to prepare them for each of the topics covered on the unit. These
will form the basis for the sessions.
Learning hours
| MD600 Activity |
Time (Hours) |
| Staff/student contact |
30 |
| Private study/assignment preparation |
60 |
| Directed reading |
60 |
| Assignment preparation |
50 |
| Total hours |
200 |
Assessment
| Assessment activity |
Length required |
Weighting within unit |
| A written assignment on an approved topic |
4000 |
100 |
Core texts
Farrell, P. (Ed) (1995)
Children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties: Strategies fort
Assessment and Intervention. London Falmer Press
Farrell, P (1997) Teaching
Children with Learning Difficulties: Strategies and Solutions. London:
Cassell
Jordan,R. (1999) Autistic
Spectrum Disorders. London:Fulton
Maskell, S., Watkins, F
and Howarth, E. (2000) Baseline Assessment, Curriculum and Target Setting.
London:Fulton
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