EDUC 303 - Individual Learning Differences

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 44
Lab Hours: 22
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Focuses on understanding and addressing the diverse needs of learners in educational settings. Equips students with the knowledge and skills to support each learner’s development by recognizing their unique strengths and needs, implementing appropriate provisions, designing effective instructional strategies, distinguishing typical language development from special education needs, and understanding relevant laws and regulations pertaining to learners’ rights and teacher responsibilities.

Prerequisite: Admissions in the ECE BAS program; and 240 score on WEST-B or ECED 280 and ECED 284 with a C or higher; and English 101, CMST& 210 or 220, EDUC& 150, EDUC& 115, and EDUC& 130 with a B- or higher.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Describe the process for recommending a child be evaluated for special needs.
Explain a variety of developmental variations, including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Dyslexia, and how each can impact a student’s classroom experience.
Design differentiated instructional strategies that leverage a learner’s strengths to promote growth and accommodate diverse approaches to learning and performance.
Distinguish between characteristics of typical multilingual development (including consideration of cultural influences) and potential special education needs.
Describe the law and regulations that pertain to learners’ rights and teacher responsibilities, such as educational equity, appropriate for learners with disabilities, confidentiality and child abuse reporting and the proper treatment of learners.
Describe trauma-informed teaching practices and why they are beneficial to students.
Use information about each learner’s strengths and needs to support their development.
Select appropriate and timely provisions for individual students with specific learning differences or needs including pacing, task demands, communication, assessment, and response modes.

Course Contents

The process for recommending a child be evaluated for special needs.
Developmental variations, including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Dyslexia, and how each can impact a student’s classroom experience.
Differentiated instructional strategies that leverage a learner’s strengths to promote growth and accommodate diverse approaches to learning and performance.
Characteristics of typical multilingual development (including consideration of cultural influences) and potential special education needs.
The law and regulations that pertain to learners’ rights and teacher responsibilities, such as educational equity, appropriate for learners with disabilities, confidentiality and child abuse reporting and the proper treatment of learners.
Trauma-informed teaching practices and why they are beneficial to students.
Information about each learner’s strengths and needs to support their development.
Appropriate and timely provisions for individual students with specific learning differences or needs including pacing, task demands, communication, assessment, and response modes.

Instructional Units: 5.5