Teaching Students with Severe and Moderate Intellectual Disabilities (10-week course, consists of 2 in-person sessions and 8 virtual sessions)
Does the programme we are providing for a student prepare her to live as productively and independently as possible in current and future inclusive environments?
-Lou Brown, John Nietupski and Susan Hamre-Nietupski, University of Wisconsin and Madison Public Schools (1976)
Teaching Students with Severe and Moderate Intellectual Disabilities shows resource and classroom teachers how to say “yes” to that question, providing meaningful and effective programming for students whose learning needs are very different from those of their classmates.
Participants will develop an understanding of the learning characteristics of students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and learn the history, legislation and philosophy which informs our inclusion of these students. Evidence-based teaching practices will be highlighted and participants will have the opportunity to apply these strategies to case studies and scenarios. Participants are given ample opportunity to explore and evaluate a variety of curricula, assessment tools and resources, creating a programme and action plan for both a case study and actual student.
In-class instruction will include hands-on practice of concepts learned; opportunities to explore and share practical assessment and teaching tools; and opportunities to share and work with colleagues in pairs and small groups. The course will also include weekly readings and assignments to be completed by participants on their own time. Some of these will involve online collaboration with colleagues and posts to a shared forum.
Formative assessment and coaching will take place throughout the course. Summative assessment will be based on completion of all assignments and readings; a short final exam and two written assignments involving the application of course concepts to specific situations.
Teaching Students with Severe and Moderate Intellectual Disabilities is a 40-hour course delivered in 10 sessions over a 10-week period (school breaks or stat holidays may increase the total time period for the course). Two of the course sessions are in-person (at POPARD’s training location in Delta, BC) on Saturdays, and eight of the course sessions are virtual (via Zoom) and take place on Thursday evenings. Please see the registration page for specific course dates and times.
