EDUC 573 - Inclusive and Collaborative Teaching Methods

(3 credits)

This course is designed to gain understanding of the potential opportunities and barriers students with disabilities face within regular education classrooms and within grade-level general education curriculum. Research-Based strategies to be taught to and reinforced with students with disabilities to best utilize their learning strengths and overcome present and potential barriers will be emphasized during the course. The use of Universal Design and Focused/Implicit Teaching Methods will also be explored. Additionally, learning to use tools such as the Supplementary Aids and Services Toolkit Process, will help course students to systematically develop a positive learning/functional profile, identify potential barriers to the general education (or supplemental) curriculum, and design a plan of strategy instruction and accommodation to best help support students with disabilities. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of and competency in assessing potential environmental, instructional, curricular, social-emotional barriers faced by students with disabilities in public education situations, settings and learning environments. The student will also be able to research and demonstrate knowledge in appropriate planning to remove barriers and implement supportive programming (including direct instruction to children in strategy use) to again provide all children access to educational and social opportunities with peers in inclusive public educational systems. Ten hours of clinical observation required. Prerequisite(s): EDUC 571, EDUC 572. Spring.