EDUC 310 - Teaching Social Skills

(3 credits)

This three credit course prepares teacher candidates to develop students’ social skills in the classroom, in order to enhance their capacity for academic success. Students with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, blindness and emotional disturbances often have social skills deficits as well, limiting their ability to attain their full potential. There is compelling evidence that addressing social skills in the classroom can lead to increased academic performance, lessen the occurrence of behavior problems, and improve the student’s interpersonal relationships with peers and adults. This is a Stage 2 course, with 8 hours of field experience required. These experiences will include 6 hours of social skills instruction and 2 hours of observation of social skills instruction in an educational or therapeutic setting. Students will create and develop lesson plans for their field experience within the classroom.