Psychology (PSYC) 403

Overview

Psychology 403: Assessment and Instruction for Students with Diverse Needs provides a practical approach to teaching and managing children with learning differences. It emphasizes evidenced-based practices, specific teaching and management strategies, the development of materials, and various classroom and curriculum modifications to meet the needs of students with learning difficulties. This course examines many aspects of teaching and suggests a variety of practical approaches reflecting a number of theories.

Outline

Psychology 403 consists of eleven units divided into two main parts. The third part of the course consists of students doing the research for, and writing, the final assignment, a literature review paper, and completing two other assignments.

Part I: Understanding and Planning Instruction for Students with Learning and Behaviour Problems

• Unit 1: Monitoring and Teaching for Understanding
• Unit 2: Approaches to Learning and Teaching
• Unit 3: Response to Intervention and Multi-Tier Systems of Supports
• Unit 4: Managing Behaviour
• Unit 5: Coteaching and Collaboration: Working with Professionals and Families

Part II: Instructing Students with Learning and Behaviour Problems

• Unit 6: Assessing and Teaching Oral Language
• Unit 7: Assessing and Teaching Reading: Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Word Recognition
• Unit 8: Assessing and Teaching Reading: Fluency and Comprehension
• Unit 9: Assessing and Teaching Writing and Spelling
• Unit 10: Assessing and Teaching Content Area Learning and Vocabulary
• Unit 11: Assessing and Teaching Mathematics

Part III: Research

Evaluation

To receive credit for PSYC 403, students are required to complete a Planning Exercise, Parts 1 and 2 of a Skills Survey, five Reflection assignments, an Individual Program Plan (IPP), and a Literature Review Paper. Students must achieve a grade of 50 percent or more on each assignment, and an overall course composite grade of D (50 percent).