Due Dates

ESE548 : The Class : Due Dates

Due Dates

Introduction There are two intertwined processes involved in learning about students with special needs. It is important to learn about the laws, the court cases and the different ways that individual needs are manifest. It is just as important - - well, to me it is MORE important -- to learn to work with each student's ability to learn. . . . and of course to recognize and capitalize on your own strengths and get on a first name basis with coping strategies for your own learning weaknesses.

If I hope to get that idea across to you, then one of the things I need to do is treat you with the same respect and dignity I am asking you to use with your students. That means that due dates are suggested, that the assignments are recommended but amendable and that every thing we do can be personalized to better meet your needs and teaching expectations.

Are the requirements suggested? No. You have to meet requirements, but how you gain the necessary expertise and prove you have the skills can be stretched around your own goals and gifts.

What do I know about learning success / teaching success with students?

I know that we each learn at our own pace Some of us learn things the first time we hear them; others take a while for an idea to soak in

Each of us has a level of understanding we come with when we approach a subject A person with a masters in counseling who takes this course will have a different set of information than a sophomore just beginning a course of college study. We all know that and we have known it all our lives. It is one of the reasons that bell curve grading is unreasonable. Some people are on their own little curve - have personal norms that don't fit in the skew. So courses need to be tailored so the high mastery student gets to grow, and the beginner needs to feel safe rather than feeling like it is hopeless to compete with the "resident genius."

Some ways of learning are inherent in each of us I am passionate about reading, but some people struggle, read and reread, then study material and never feel like they own it. I can remember anything I see. Some people remember everything they hear.

All of us can learn - can learn a lot and will continue to learn most of our lives. My daughter who is developmentally delayed just learned to button and she is excited about it, despite being 26. Another daughter thought she could not do math - just took statistics as a 22 year old and fell in love with it.

This course has recommended due dates. Review the syllabus for a week by week rundown -- again, a recommended set of dates. This class has most of the work in the first two modules. That means you should complete the first module before the mid point of the course.

If the class is during summer for ten session, try to complete the first three modules in five weeks, and the second three in the remaining part of the summer.

If the class only goes for four to five week, you will need to get the first module completed in a week to ten days, then complete one module per week for the rest of the course period.

Week	Activities
One	Buy Book Read Syllabus Read FAQs Establish Learning Style Browse through the entire course and print out helpful material Initiate use of webwizard to begin to develop personal home page (Remember, this is optional!)
Two	Begin Module One and review carefully Buy materials to set up files on ten categories Review movie and book lists and browse back through module six to clarify movie viewing and critiques of books and movies Print out critiques and watch one of the movies from Module Six Get Dana account set up Read one to two chapters in the book or browse thoroughly
Three	Read third chapter and set up communcation process of choice....net chat room, friend, spouse, teacher.... Construct home page by getting background, name, picture set up (Optional)
Four	Read and print out online readings on categories Begin Module Two and review carefully Investigate next three chapters and complete first five summaries using the suggested outline in the course.
Five	Hate web courses and not able to learn using the computer? Contact the teacher by phone or email and let's set up a contingency rather than losing the course or credit - failing or losing face!!! Still time to withdraw -----. Read chapters ten - thirteen put materials in folders
Six	Add favorite links to home page and report location to professor (Optional) Complete readings in the book and continue watching movies
Seven	Complete reading and assignments for Module One Linear Lou - Finesse assignments, complete files and record points Begin Module Two - overview and print out as needed
Eight	Review readings for Module Two Begin assignments on laws, regulations and court cases regarding IDEA 97 Watch fourth movie or finish first book and do critique Update home page and keep talking with your buddy
Nine	Complete assignments (brief, etc.) for Module Two Begin Module Three - overview and print out as needed
Ten	Review readings for Module Three Print out the IEP forms Attend an IEP if practical Conduct personal interview of parents if practical
Eleven	Complete assignments for Module Three Introduce yourself to Module Four - overview and print out as needed Review readings for Module Four Review checklist of web skills - completing any unmet objectives Send final report on proving acquisition of web skills
Twelve	Complete resource list for Module Four Review On line readings on building community and communication skills Watch fifth movie or finish second book and do final critique
Thirteen	Complete assignments for Module Four Introduce yourself to Module Five - overview and print out as needed Review readings for Module Five Remember to play some of the video games earned in Module Four Stay in touch with other students - in person, chat or VISTA
Fourteen	Learn about assistive devices and visit a program using them if practical Review checklist of course objectives - completing any unmet objectives This is the time to email or call the instructor if there are problems that will justify asking for "in progress" rather than a low grade. Remember please that you have to have demonstrated that you can succesfully complete this course and that we aren't just prolonging the agony for both of us. If you aren't done with module one please don't ask. Review materials - often scattered through the texts - on transitioning, school to work career ideas and transition IEPs for high school students
Fifteen	Complete activities in Module Five Complete activities in Module Six Prepare for and take final exam - different options available Send final report on acquisition of course objectives Set up network with other students to stay in touch Evaluate teacher and course using the on-line evaluation tool

Summer Course: If you are taking the course during the summer, you can push and pull the course around to meet the ten week deadlines. One suggestion is to compact weeks two, three and four into the second week. Weeks eight and nine can also be nested. Finally, push the suggested assignments in weeks fourteen and fifteen together.