Credit: 2-Quarter Hours
Clock Hours: 20 Contact Hours

Course Description

What insight does brain research give us about teaching and successfully working with differently able students in our classroom? During this brain-friendly workshop, you will explore a variety of conditions including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADD, Oppositional Personality Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and others. Discover what regions of the brain are affected and how. Come prepared to share your experiences and learn new strategies to work more effectively with the students in your classroom.

Course Objectives

To become familiar with the implications of current brain research regarding differently able students.

To become familiar with a variety of disabilities and understand their possible implications in terms of student learning needs.

To understand the areas of the brain affected by different learning disabilities and the implications for student learning.

To identify teaching strategies support and empower differently able students, based on current brain research.

Student Expectations

Attend all class sessions.

Actively participate in class discussions and activities.

Complete a written assignment by designated completion date.

Level of Application

This course focuses on application and implementation levels.

Target Audience

Teachers, classroom assistants, counselors, administrators, club and activity advisors of elementary and secondary students, as well as parents, and community members, law enforcement officers, and everyone who works with children.

Methods of Instruction

During this course, the instructors methods of instruction will include lecture, large and small group activities, brainstorming, video presentations and/or participant presentations.

Grading Criteria

All participants must complete a written assignment to receive college credit. This course if offered for a letter grade. The following requirements are grading guidelines:

60% In-class activities

15% Class participation

25% Written assignment completed outside of class

Texts and Required Learning Materials

Participants will receive required text and materials the first class session.

Plans for Transferring Skills into the Work Setting

Methods for encouraging the transfer of newly acquired skills into the work setting will include discussion and problem solving groups; reading; sharing of successful strategies in class, and practicing new skills during the workshop.

Suggested Bibliography & Video References

Participants will receive a complete bibliography, print and Internet. Additional resources will be distributed in class, as appropriate.

Assignment Options

Using the information you have learned in class, rework two of your current teaching lessons to reflect your increased knowledge of differently able learners.

Using the information you have learned in class, create two lessons to teach concepts you currently teach.

Outline two strategies to help a student learn a skill of your choice more effectively.

Using the information you have learned in class, design a mini in-service for your peers to share information about differently able students and how they learn.

Using the information you have learned in class, design a mini in-service for parents regarding how differently able students learn and what they can do to help and support their education.

Create an assignment of your choosing, based on your particular job or interests. Have the instructor approve your assignment choice.