Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Learning and behavior problems of students with focus on issues of identification, etiology, assessment, developmental changes, and intervention including consideration of personal, social, cultural, historical, and economic contexts.
Delivery
This course is available in an online format using eLearning, a Blackboard learning management system requiring Internet access and a web browser. While most students encounter very few technical difficulties, our team of support specialists is available to assist you as needed.
Prerequisites
UNI students: junior standing
Students should be upper-level undergraduate students or graduate students. Previous coursework in education and/or psychology is prerequisite.
Instructor
Barry Wilson, Associate Professor
Evaluation
12 assignments , 1 web resource project
Overview
Learning and behavior problems of students with focus on issues of identification, etiology, assessment, developmental changes, and intervention including consideration of personal, social, cultural, historical, and economic contexts. Prerequisite: junior standing.
The course is intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who intend to work with individuals with learning and/or behavior problems. These problems are viewed as serious enough to warrant special education assistance. The course provides a broad view of the field for present and future teachers, school psychologists, administrators, speech and language professionals, counselors, and others preparing to work with individuals described as disabled.
Course topics include definitions of learning disabilities, mental disabilities, and behavior disorders, a brief history of the treatment of individuals designated disabled, the physiological and neurological basis of learning disabilities, service delivery issues, investigation of specific learning and behavior problems and the interaction of disability with gender, culture and social class. The course is also intended to develop an appreciation of the controversial issues that affect every aspect of practice. Political, economic, and social forces are recognized and discussed.
Students are encouraged to use library as well as Internet resources to further understanding and communication about disabilities.
Grading
Completion of Written Assignments = 15 pts. per assignment = 180 pts. total
Assignments will be graded "outstanding" (14-15 pts.) "commendable" (10-13 pts.) or "deficient" (<10 pts.) Assignments should: 1) Be complete and respond to each part of each question; 2) reflect a good understanding of the reading assignments; 3) incorporate both personal experience (if you don't have direct personal experience, information learned from other classes or sources is very acceptable) as well as information gained from text, instructor's notes/lectures, and web source material. Check the scoring rubric for specific details.
Web Resource Project- 40 points total
Pick a topic within the course, it has to be related to learning disabilities, surf the net for the very best information you can find.
Total Points 220
Grade
Scale% of
MaxTotal Points
(220 max.)A 90-100 198-220 B 80-89 176-197 C 70-79 154-175 D 60-69 132-153
Please note that UNI Guided Independent Study requires that you complete all assignments to receive a grade in the course.
Textbook(s)
Henley, M., Ramsey, R., & Algozzine, R. (2006) Teaching Students with Mild Disabilities (Fourth Edition) Allyn & Bacon: Boston
Rodis, P., Garrod, A., and Boscardin, M. (2001) Learning Disabilities & Life Stories, Allyn & Bacon: Boston
Delpit, Lisa (1995) Other People's Children. The New Press: New York
Course pack - selected articles in print copy.
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information