EDSP 5304

Syllabus

May 25, 2009 – August 3, 2009

WBU Mission: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an

academically challenging and distinctively Christian environment for professional success,

lifelong learning, and service to God and humankind.

Text: Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today’s Schools, 6^th Edition. Pearson Education, Inc., 2010.

Authors: Ann Turnbull, Rud Turnbull, and Michael Wehmeyer,

Companion Website: http://www.prenhall.com/turnbull

Course Requirements:

1. Weekly Chapter Review: Reading the text and preparing for the lecture is part of the professionalism of a student. You should reviewed the chapters before coming to class each week and be prepared to participate in class activities and discussions.

2. Written Examination: There will be two exams given during the term. You will access them using the Wayland Blackboard. Exams will be due to me by 10 pm on the evening the exam is scheduled.

3. Companion Website: Technology is part of the 21^st century classroom and thus is part of this course’s requirements. There may be online activities that you will complete to enhance your understanding of children with exceptionalities. Any selected activities will be assigned to you well in advance.

4. Reflection Papers: A reflection paper will be written and submitted the week following any speakers, videos, or field experiences. These papers are not so much a recap of the facts but rather a way for you 1) to indicate what you gained personally and professionally from the experience, and 2) to review how you can use the information presented to become a better administrator/teacher. You may select any 5 of the 6 papers assigned for complete credit.

5. Blackboard Assignment: Some classes will not meet at Wayland (see Tentative Schedule). Class assignments will be found on the Wayland Blackboard. Please see me if you need help accessing the Blackboard.

6. Field Experience: You will complete an in-school observation of at least 3 hours. You may select the school district with whom you work, or take advantage of the arrangement made with Krueger Middle School in NEISD.

7. Journal Article Review:

1. Write a 1-2 page summary of three (3) journal articles dealing with current issues related to education for people with disabilities (1 topic has been selected for you). If you have questions about the appropriateness of an article, please come review them with me.

2. Summarize the articles with a special emphasis on findings or conclusions.

3. Select one journal article to present to the class. Sign up for 1 of the 7 dates to present your article.

4. Turn in a copy of each journal article with your paper.

5. Grading will be based on: (a) clarity and flow if ideas, (b) grammar/spelling/sentence structure/composition quality.

Grading:

Grading will be based on completion of course requirements including:

Exams 40%

Reflection Papers 20%

Journal Articles 30%

Journal Article Presentation 10%

Tentative Schedule of Classes

Week	Chapter and Topic	Activity/Assignment
1 5/25,26	Course Overview Chapter 1: Overview of Today’s Special Education What is Special Education? Who are the students?	Philosophy of Education Use Figure 1.1 “Values” to help you write your Philosophy of Education as it relates to students with disabilities.
2 6/1,2	Chapter 2: General Curriculum Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Inclusion Chapter 3: Issues and Responses in Culturally Diverse Schools Chapter 4: Families and Their Partnerships with Professionals	Educator & Parent Panel Reflection Paper IEP Activity
3 6/8,9	Chapter 5: Understanding Students with Learning Disabilities Chapter 6: Understanding Students with Communication Disorders	FAT City video Reflection Paper Journal Article 1 Due.
4 6/15,16	Chapter 7: Understanding Students with Emotional and Behavior Disorders Chapter 8: Understanding Students with ADHD	Reflection Paper
5 6/22,23	Chapters 1-8 Midterm	Midterm Exam Access and Response on Blackboard
6 7/29,30	Chapter 10: Understanding Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities Chapter 16: Understanding Students Who Are Gifted	Class will be an independent study of at least 3 hours of classroom observation.
7 7/6,7	Chapter 9: Understanding Students with Intellectual Disability Chapter 11: Understanding Students with Autism	Journal Article Complete a 1-2 page review of a journal article related to trends in education for students with Autism.
8 7/13,14	Chapter 12: Understanding Students with Physical Disabilities and Other Health Impairments Chapter 13: Understanding Students with Traumatic Brain Injury	Reflection Paper
9 7/20,21	Chapter 14: Understanding Students with Hearing Loss Chapter 15: Understanding Students with Visual Impairments	Reflection Paper
10 7/27,28	Using Technology to Enhance Instruction FAT City Revisited	Assistive Technology Demo: Reflection Paper Final Journal Article Due
11 8/3,4	Chapters 9 - 15 Final Exam	Final Exam Access and Response on Blackboard