General Information about Creating Inclusive Environments and Supporting Students with Special Needs courses

Title: Career Development for MRDD Adults using Authentic Learning

Author: Jane DeMeis

Abstract: This mini course to help the specialist or counselor learn as much as they can about their MRDD individuals through inquiry, through the use of the internet, and then on to authentic learning by experimenting with placements.

Course Objective: This course will look at using various methods of educational based research and development to enable the Vocational counselor and Employment Specialist to reach a more successful placement for individuals who are Mentally Retarded and/or Developmentally Disabled.

Tag(s): MRDD(Mentally Retarded and/or Developmentally Disabled), career development support

Title: Understanding Learning Disabilities and the Learning Disabled

Author: Elise Weiss

Abstract: This course teaches the concepts of specific learning disabilities, misconceptions and issues surrounding learning disabilities, and effective instructional strategies for specific learning disabilities and their implementation.

Course Objective: By the end of this course, participants will be able to define specific learning disabilities in the content areas of reading, math, writing, and the processing disorders that affect them, identify misconceptions among educators regarding LD students and their learning capabilities, give examples of what the best practices are to improve the learning environment for learning disabled students and utilize the strategies presented to decrease the frustration level of LD students.

Tag(s): learning disabilities, instructional strategies

Title: Concept Mapping Across the Curriculum

Author: Kelly Geddes

Abstract: A professional development course on how to utilize and implement concept maps in the LD classroom.

Course Objective: At the end of the unit participants will have a better understanding of how graphic organizers help the LD student. Participants will also learn how to create content specific maps to implement in their classrooms.

Tag(s): concept map, curriculum implementation

Title: Movement in Learning

Author: Sandy Feocco

Abstract: This course discusses why movement is important in our classrooms. Course Objective: Participants will gain a fuller understanding of the importance of movements in classrooms.

Tag(s): movement, classroom teaching

Title: Students with ASD: Developing Socialization and Self-Management Skills

Author: Jeffrey Bordeman

Abstract: This mini-course that provides participants with information to assist them in better understanding ASD and the educational difficulties students with this disorder face.

Course Objective: By Completion of this course, participants will develop an understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by learning all the disabilities the spectrum encompasses, learn how ASD is diagnosed by evaluating the criteria for an ASD diagnosis, discover how to develop social skills in students with ASD by evaluating several research based approaches and evaluate the behavioral issues students with ASD exhibit and develop strategies to assess and develop self management strategies for the student.

Tag(s): ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), diagnosis

Title: Understanding Dyslexia and Severe Reading Disabilities

Author: Sue Rappazzo

Abstract: The objectives of this course are to help teachers and parents identify symptoms of dyslexia or a severe reading disability early in school age child, understand recent brain science on reading and learn strategies and how to find resources that help them cope emotionally and learn to "break the code" and read.

Course Objective: Learners will be able to identify symptoms of dyslexia or a reading disability and can find resources to offer support.

Tag(s): dyslexia, reading disabilities

Title: Creating a Bully Free Environment

Author: Chris Poulopoulo

Abstract: This course explains the bullying cycle, offers methods on developing a caring community, and show examples of anti-bully programs and talks about how to create an anti-bully program.

Course Objective: Participants will get a fuller understanding of bullying cycle, and will be able to create anti-bully program in order to create bully free environment.

Tag(s): bullying, anti-bully