What is Special Education Course?

A special education course can be found within undergraduate or graduate programs that offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the field of special education. Both undergraduate and graduate programs offer a set of common areas as specialization which include learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. While a number of these programs are geared towards individuals looking to gain initial licenses for a position in elementary and secondary schools, some of the SEN training programs are designed for currently licensed teachers who can now be prepared for research or administrative careers. Among the concepts commonly taught in a course for SEN teachers are:

•         Child development
•         Classroom management
•         Instructional strategies
•          Mild to moderate disabilities
•         Lesson planning and development

As it can be determined, special educationcourses in India are a very extensive subject covering a wide range of topics. Some of the common courses forming a part of this learning program are listed below:

Introduction to Special Education Course

The introductory course gives candidates information about the historical and legal background pertaining to education of diverse students with exceptionalities. Individuals who enroll for SEN training courses learn how to identify characteristics of children having learning, behavioral, mental, sensory, or physical disorders, as well as those who possess some kind of extreme talent. Other focus areas include adapting the learning environment for students bearing special needs across various levels, effective instructional strategies, as well as developing a suitable curriculum for their learning needs. Legalities associated with discrimination and parental involvement are other aspects that get covered.

Educational Psychology

This course looks at content aligned towards processes of child development, learning, and assessment. The course will focus on a development of appropriate techniques to achieve students learning and accommodations that address concerns with regards to development. This will prepare the candidates in better identifying developmental needs, measure student achievements, and construct appropriate accommodations for those students with special needs.

Learning Disabilities

This course covers the various learning disabilities that can have an impact of how a student learns. Students will learn to identify their learning disabilities and develop accommodations and supports for those who are differently abled in the classroom. Students will also learn to construct lesson plans, individualized education plans, and student activities that will help these children with learning disabilities in becoming successful in the classroom. They will also learn the right manner of recognizing the impact of different learning disabilities on student behavior and engagement so that the plans can be suitable adapted to ensure better student engagement and a positive classroom behavior.

School Law

As part of the course for SEN teachers, students are taught idates information about the historical and legal background pertaining to education of diverse studentsthe complex state and federal laws governing the public-school environment. Special attention is given to the laws that provide protection to students with special needs in the classroom, especially in matters where parental rights, student rights to accommodations, and legal definitions of the least restrictive environment are concerned.

Field Practicum

Students who require special education will be required to complete a field experience in special education classrooms. This field experience should involve planning and teaching lessons, assessing the achievement and conduct of the students, and meeting with staff members and teachers. Students who are put through this field experience are expected to participate in intervention meetings, individualized education plan meetings, as well as parent conferences focused entirely on students having special needs.

Skills Required in Special Education Teaching

Graduates looking for SEN training in Kolkata and a subsequent career in the field will be required to possess a certain skillset in order to cut it in the industry. Some of the valuable skills that they can do with are:

Strong interpersonal skills:  

Students with special needs often have difficulty in communicating their needs and ideas with the teachers, caregivers, and even fellow students. The teacher should be able to connect and communicate with the students using the right tone, language, and occasionally the nonverbal cues. They must also be able to effectively communicate with parents and faculty members, social workers, and others involved in caring for the student.

Flexibility and Adaptability:  

Educators must have a flexible approach and be patient while working with each student to address their independent needs. A special education classroom can prove to be a very chaotic and disruptive place at times. The special education teacher is required to showcase advanced skills and training as a model for good behavior and remain calm when the going gets stressful. They must also have the ability to adapt so that students are able to focus better and they remain in the classroom. This could mean taking a break from the usual lesson to focus on a single child, contacting other faculty members for assistance, and developing a new plan for handling emerging situations effectively.

Conclusion

An individual who completes a special education course can find a wealth of teaching careers and related occupations in the field of special needs education. They can choose to work for education service providers or in a library setting where the work may not involve direct interaction with students.