LAMBUTH UNIVERSITY

 

Department of Education

Characteristics of Mild and Moderate

EDU 4123

Spring 2008

 

Instructor: Stacey V. Hall, Ph.D.

Office: College Union 216

Phone: (731) 425-3325 (from off campus) and (731) 425-2361 (from on campus)

Fax: (731) 425-2311

E-mail Address: hall@lambuth.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m.- 9:25 a.m. and by appointment

 

Required Text: Raymond, E. B. Learners with mild disabilities (2008). (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

 

Course Description

This course covers the characteristics and needs of students with disabilities who can participate in the general curriculum. Emphasis will be placed on etiology, necessary program adaptations, and rationale for non-categorical programs. Field experience is required.

 

Conduct Code

The academic standards of Lambuth University govern all work in this course. Consistent with the University policy, scholastic dishonesty will be punished. Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; or altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying of data, research procedures, or data analysis.

 

Conceptual Framework

Throughout this course, the Lambuth University Education Department’s F.A.C.E. conceptual framework is incorporated as a basis for the instructional design and outcomes derived from the implementation of the instruction by means of preparation for the FUTURE, emphasis on ACTION, interaction with the COMMUNITY, and concentration on ENGAGEMENT as defined in the Teacher Education Handbook (2004).

 

 

 

 

Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards: Professional Education

 

Standard 1

 

Discipline Taught and Foundations of Special Education. Candidates know, understand, and use the central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of the discipline(s) they teach and can create learning experiences that develop student competence in the subject matter.

1.2 Candidates demonstrate the importance of including in the curriculum such areas as               communication skills, oral language development, emotional and social skills, functional and independent living skills, employment-related skills and self-advocacy skills.

1.4 Candidates understand the historical and philosophical foundations of services for individuals with mild and moderate disabilities. They know about current trends and issues in these areas.

 

Standard 2

 

Student Learning and Development. Candidates understand now individuals learn and develop, and provide learning opportunities that support student intellectual, social and personal development.

2.1 Candidates know the characteristics associated with severe and multiple disabilities and the potential impact they may have on learning and development.

2.2 Candidates understand the etiologies and medical aspects of conditions, including the effects of medications, affecting individuals with severe and multiple disabilities. They understand the types and transmission of infections and diseases.

2.3 Candidates understand the impact of sensory impairments and physical and health disabilities on individuals, families and society.

 

Standard 4

 

Teaching Strategies. Candidates understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage development of independent living and vocational and academic skills in individuals in grade K-12.

4.2 Candidates select appropriate individualized strategies, curricula and materials in teaching individuals with severe and multiple disabilities.

 

Standard 5

 

Learning Environment. Candidates use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.

5.2 Candidates minimize barriers to accessibility and facilitate acceptance of individuals with mild and moderate disabilities.

 

 

 

 

Standard 8

 

Assessment and Evaluation. Candidates know, understand and use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuing intellectual, academic, social and physical development of the learner.

8.3 Candidates collaborate with other professionals throughout the identification and initial planning process. They seek multiple perspectives on the strengths and needs of students with mild and moderate disabilities.

 

Faculty Assistance

If you have questions, concerns, or need additional help, see me during my office hours or make an appointment to get any clarification or additional help that you need. Also, if you have a documented disability that impedes learning, please see me for reasonable accommodations.

 

Course Requirements

 

1.      There is a 30-hour field placement requirement for this course. The instructor will provide the complete guidelines for this placement. (50%)

 

2.      Each student will complete two article critiques. Each article must address the characteristics, needs, and/or programming options for students with mild disabilities. These articles will prove a focus for class discussions led by the student. Articles must be distributed to the professor and classmates a week before discussion. Additionally, a written summary of the critique will be completed. The instructor will provide the format. (20%)

 

3.      There will be two, in-class exams. (15% each)

 

4.      Each student will complete written summaries of specified chapters. The instructor will provide the format. (15%)

 

Make-up policy: Late assignments without grade penalty will only be taken given one of the following legitimate excuses: verified illness or family emergency. Any undocumented absence will count as zero in determining the final grade. Make-up exams will only be given in documented cases involving family or medical emergencies.

 

Penalties for late work: It is the responsibility of the student to turn in any assignments in the event of an absence. There will be a 10% grade deduction for each day that the assignment is late.

 

 

 

Grade and Percentage Requirements:

A                     95-100%

B                      88-94%

C                     80-87%

D                     71-79%

F                      0-70%

 

The instructor reserves the right to make changes in content and schedule contained in the course. Any changes deemed necessary will be made in the interest of increasing student learning and performance in the course. Written and/or oral notification will be given as changes are made.

 

Enrollment in this course represents your acknowledgment and acceptance of these non-negotiable policies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Schedule

 

WEEK

TOPIC

READING

ASSIGNMENT

1 (1/14)

Overview

 

 

2 (1/21)

Perspectives on Disability

Chapter 1

Written Summary of Chapter

3 (1/28)

Historical Perspectives and Contexts

 

Academic Learning Characteristics

Explanation of Observation Assignment

Chapter 2

 

 

Chapter 12

Written Summary of Chapters

4 (2/4)

Issues in Assessment and Identification

Chapter 3

Written Summary of Chapter

5 (2/11)

Exam #1

 

 

6 (2/18)

Issues in Curriculum and Instruction

Chapter 4

Written Summary of Chapter

7 (2/25)

Issues in Placement

Article Critique

Chapter 5

 

8 (3/3)

Learners with Mental Retardation

Chapter 6

Written Summary of Chapter

9 (3/10)

SPRING BREAK

 

 

10 (3/17)

Learners with Learning Disabilities

Discussion of Students with Learning Disabilities

Chapter 7

Written Summary of Chapter

11 (3/24)

Observational Work

 

 

12 (3/31)

Learners with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders

Discussion of Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders

Chapter 8

Written Summary of Chapter

13 (4/7)

Observational Work

 

 

14 (4/14)

Exam #2

 

 

15 (4/21)

Learners with Other Disorders and Conditions

 

Cognitive and Perceptual Characteristics

 

Language Characteristics

 

Article Critique

Chapter 9

 

 

Chapter 10

 

 

Chapter 11

Written Summaries of Chapters

4/25

Observation Packet Due

 

 

 

Jackson-Madison County Schools will be closed on the following days:

 

February 18- President’s Day

 

March 17- 24- Spring Break