Children with Special Needs
Hybrid Course
Semester Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 48
Lab Hours: 0
Location: Caserma Ederle, Vicenza
Course Dates: 30 March – 22 May 2015
In Class sessions/Times – 18 April, 02 May, & 16 May 09:00-17:00with additional weekly CTC Blackboard discussions and assignments
Instructor: Brian K Cambra
Office Hours: By Appointment
Instructor Email:
Phone: 346/7501174
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY
Brian Cambra has been a higher education instructor for the last 15 years. As adjunct faculty for Central Texas College, Brian has taught several courses in the Child Development program. Both his undergraduate and graduate coursework focused on the interpersonal variables of family and child interactions. He has engaged in empirical research investigating educational stressors throughout childhood and adulthood. Brian has practical experience as director of a non-government organization (NGO) working with institutionalized infants and children. He recently completed a second master’s degree in Adult Learning as a means to be better equipped for the changes facing today’s learner in both traditional and virtual environments.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. A survey of information regarding children with special needs including possible causes and characteristics of exceptionalities, intervention strategies, available resources, referral processes, the advocacy role, and legislative issues. The student will summarize causes, incidence, and characteristics of exceptionalities related to the domains of development; discuss current terminology and practices for intervention strategies; identify appropriate community resources and referrals for individual children and families; identify legislation and legal mandates and their impact on practices and environments; explain the role of advocacy for children with special needs and their families; and identify materials and resources, including current technology, to support learning in all domains for each and every child.
B. This course is a required course for the AAS Degree and Certificates in the Child Development field.
C. This course is occupationally related and serves as preparation for careers in Child Development.
D. Prerequisite(s): None
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Upon successful completion of this course, The Children with Special Needs, the student will be able to:
1. Summarize causes, incidence, and characteristics of exceptionalities related to the domains of development.
a. Define areas of exceptionalities and special education.
b. Identify exceptionality as to genetic versus environmental causes.
c. Discuss the prevalence/incidence of the different categories of exceptionalities.
d. Describe possible signs or characteristics of each area of exceptionality.
2. Discuss current terminology and practices for intervention strategies.
a. Discuss classification and labeling of children with special needs.
b. Identify individuals and their role in developing and implementing educational plans.
c. Discuss how goals from IEPs and IFSPs are written for daily activities and routines.
3. Identify appropriate community resources and referrals for individual children and families.
a. Summarize needs and challenges of families caring for children with special needs by providing appropriate resources and referrals.
b. Gather information on resources available in the community.
c. Discuss referral process.
4. Identify legislation and legal mandates and their impact on practices and environments.
a. Discuss history and impact of legislation affecting children with special needs.
b. Describe impact of landmark court cases on special education.
5. Explain the role of advocacy for children with special needs and their families.
a. Identify agencies which advocate for children with special needs and their families.
b. Explain how the code of ethical conduct applies to special education.
6. Identify materials and classroom resources, including current technology, to support learning in all domains for each and every child.
a. Create and/or modify environments, equipment, materials, supplies and experiences to meet individual needs of all children including children with special needs.
b. Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with other professionals and families, and work effectively as a member of a professional team.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
There is NO TEXTBOOK required for this course. All required readings are contained within the blackboard learning platform as PDF Files. Instructors and sites may disseminate these files as needed in printed or digital formats.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Your first responsibility is scholarship. The grade you receive for this course will not be the grade of the instructor, but rather the grade you and you alone make.
B. You should attend class regularly and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions and to take unannounced quizzes relating to text assignments and lecture material presented from the beginning of the course. Please refer to ‘Class Attendance and Course Progress’ under the Academic Policies section in our current Central Texas College (CTC) Course Catalog.
C. You are encouraged to give your best effort throughout the course. From the beginning, you should plan for a steady, organized, and continuous effort, which in the long run will prove more effective for your final grade than a last minute crash-cram policy. Your course grade is not determined solely by exam grade. Such factors as class participation, initiative, attendance, and individual research papers or projects will be considered in grade computation.
D. From time to time, special library and/or outside assignments will be made to members of the class individually and/or in groups. You are expected to read all assignments and fulfill your responsibilities to any group assignment.
E. You are expected to read all assigned material and bring your textbook/reading materials to class. Keep informed on all assignments, especially after an absence.
F. Good class notes are indispensable for earning a good grade, since both the material assigned and that discussed in class will be the basis for examination material.
G. Scholastic Honesty: All students are required and expected to maintain the highest standards of scholastic honesty in the preparation of all coursework and during examinations. The following are considered examples of scholastic dishonesty:
Plagiarism: The taking of passages from the writing of others without giving proper credit to the sources.
Collusion: Using another’s work as one’s own, or working together with another person in the preparation of work, unless such joint preparation is specifically approved in advance by the instructor.
Cheating: Giving or receiving information on examinations.
H. Special Work: A term paper or other project, per requirements of the instructor, will be required. The subject must be appropriate for the course material. Check with the instructor when you have made a selection. The value is indicated in the semester grade computation and has considerable weight on your final average.
V. COURSE FORMAT – Hybrid with BLACKBOARD
This course has been developed as a hybrid course. Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction with instructor via CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to CTC Blackboard and that they are familiar with the contents and assignments. It is also the student’s responsibility to log into CTC Blackboard at least once a week to ‘attend’ the online class portion and to participate in the online Blackboard discussions and assignments. Failure to do so will violate the attendance policy and will have a negative impact on the course grade.
The course will meet for eight weeks for three 8-hour face-to-face sessions. In addition, instructional strategies will include weekly CTC Blackboard assignments and discussion boards to accomplish the remaining instruction per week.
VI. EXAMINATIONS
A. There will be a minimum of two major examinations and a written paper as follows:
1. Mid-term exam on 02 May (in class)
2. Final exam on 16 May (in class)
3. Paper due 22 May (to be submitted electronically via Blackboard no later than midnight European time)
B.A student must be present for all examinations. Students who know in advance that they will be absent from an examination due to valid reasons must arrange to take an early examination. Unexpected absences due to illness or extenuating circumstances will require the student to see the instructor about individual make-up work.
C.Students without excused absences will be given a zero for the missed examination.
D. Examinations will consist of both objective (true/false, multiple choice, fill in-the-blank, and matching) and subjective (short answer and essay) questions. Students must be able to communicate both orally and in written form, thus some questions requiring the composition and writing of an essay answer will be required.
VII. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
The final grade in this course will be based on the following:
Participation (including Bb activity) 100 points
Assignment 1 100 points
Assignment 2 100 points
Assignment 3 100 points
Presentation 100 points
Paper 200 points
Mid-term Exam 100 points
Final Exam 200 points
Total possible points: 1000 points
POINTS GRADES
900-1000 A=4 pts/sem hr
800-899 B=3 pts/sem hr
700-799 C=2 pts/sem hr
600-699 D=1 pt/sem hr
0-599 F=0 pts/sem hr
VIII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
A. Tuition refunds are made only in the case of class cancellation or official and timely withdrawal from CTC or from a course. Please refer to the current course catalog for more details.
B. GoArmyEd students should contact their education counselor before withdrawing and are required to withdraw through the GoArmyEd portal.
Please note: a military withdrawal does not override CTC’s grading policy.
For self-pay students, refunds are computed from the date the Application for
Withdrawal or Refund is filed with the CTC Field Representative or designated Student Services Officer. Special conditions apply to students who receive federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid.
Tuition and fees paid directly to the Institution by the Veterans Administration, Title IV (Financial Aid Programs, a sponsor, donor, or scholarship shall be refunded to the source rather than directly to the students.
C. Course Withdrawals, Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. The instructor cannot initiate a withdrawal based upon a student’s request. Rather, students must initiate the withdrawal with the designated Education Center Representative, through the CTC Field Representative or the Student Services Officer for that region.
Applications for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time before the completion of 75% of the course, after which time the student will be assigned an “FN”- “Failure for Non-attendance.”
D. Incomplete / Course in Progress Grade Policy: An “IP” or “Incomplete” grade may be assigned by an instructor if a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project. The “IP” grade may also be assigned based on circumstances beyond a student’s control, such as personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military orders. Notice of absences, with supporting documentation, may be required by the instructor. The instructor makes the final decision concerning the granting of the incomplete grade. With an “Incomplete” grade, students are required to complete a set amount of work before the instructor will submit an official letter grade.
E. Cellular phones, beepers, and other electronic devices will be turned off while the student is in the classroom or laboratory unless the student is using the device for class purposes. No texting or social networking is allowed during class.
F. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course requirements.
G. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive educational experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
IX. COURSE OUTLINE
Note:
The instructor has the right to change the course schedule. Any changes will be announced in class. If the student misses a class period and changes are announced, it is the student’s responsibility to receive the missed information from a classmate or the instructor.
Hybrid courses combine face-to-face classroom instruction with assignments and interaction via CTC Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that they have access to internet so that they may communicate, via CTC Blackboard, with the instructor. The class is broken down into eight sessions. See below for course outline.
(Instructors may combine lessons as required to meet term dates).
Session 1- (30 Mar – 05 Apr) Intro and Lesson One: Law and Inclusion Teaching
i. CTC Blackboard discussion board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
ii. CTC Blackboard peer response to discussion board posts is due by Sunday midnight (European time)
iii. CTC Blackboard assignment is due by Sunday midnight (European time)
A. Lesson One: Exceptionality and Special Education Overview
1. Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
a. Provide an educational definition of exceptional learners.
b. Explain the prevalence of exceptional learners.
c. Define special education and explain how special education is provided.
d. Explain teachers' roles in special education and discuss the origins of special education.
e. Summarize what legislation and litigation have affected special education.
f. Describe how the intent of special education law is implemented in individualized education for students with disabilities.
g. Discuss the referral process for children with special needs.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Read assigned course material
b. Blackboard activity
c. Outside class assignments
3. Equipment and Material: Audio-Visual Aid and other material per instructor needs.
Session 2- (06 Apr – 12 Apr) Lesson Two
i. CTC Blackboard discussion board posts are due by Thursday at midnight (European time)
ii. CTC Blackboard peer response to discussion board posts is due by Sunday midnight (European time)
iii. CTC Blackboard assignment is due by Sunday midnight (European time)
B. Lesson Two: Family Role and Advocacy for Children with Special Needs
1. Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
a. Identify state and local agencies which support and/or advocate for families and children with special needs and discuss the ways in which they support the family and children with special needs.
b. Discuss the effects of a child with a disability on the family and summarize the needs and challenges of families caring for children with special needs.