MA Education Specific Learning Difficulties Dyslexia 7PE192

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MA EducationSpecific Learning Difficulties
(Dyslexia) 7PE192
Target Audience The umbrella term "specific
learning difficulties" generates considerable
debate. There are many areas of dispute within
the topic. Questions which characterise this
debate include Are the terms "dyslexia" and
specific learning difficulties" synonymous? Is
there a continuum within "dyslexia", or are
"dyslexic pupils" simply part of a continuum of
reading difficulties? What causes reading
delay? What is the incidence of specific learning
difficulty? The module is for those practitioners
who wish to seek to contextualise these and other
issues, but to focus on effective professional
practice. Objectives The module will begin
with a consideration of the characteristics and
causes of dyslexia, including a review of both
the historical aspects of the terminology and
concepts within the area of specific learning
difficulties. Participants will be involved in
examining the techniques of identifying pupils
with specific learning difficulties in classroom
situations and this will be followed by an
evaluation of the administration and use of
relevant tests (taking account of then needs of
the group). Next, the role of the educational
psychologist will be examined and this section
of the module will include critical discussion of
psychological assessments and interpretation of
subsequent reports on pupils. Participants will
complete the module by discussing strategies
which can be employed in managing the learning of
pupils with specific learning difficulties. This
will include a close examination of issues
associated with difficulties in reading and
spelling and possible teacher responses. The
module will provide participants with an
opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate a
small-scale enquiry into a development activity,
and to prepare a report of the outcomes for
dissemination to a wider audience Teaching
Methods Taught sessions, directed activities,
guided research/reflection, email and
face-to-face tutorials Assessment Assessment
includes a small scale research project in their
own school/college and a presentation or report
in order to disseminate findings and practice to
other colleagues Module Code 7PE192 Further
Information Module leaderDr Michael
Flay M.Flay_at_derby.ac.uk