Master in Education - Special Education Specialism – (M.Ed.)

Contents

The taught component contains four modules, with each module containing approximately 25 hours of contact time. The blended learning approach involves a mix of distance education and face-to-face interaction. Each module requires students to attend classes on two weekends (Friday night and all day Saturday), with on-line resources available to read in advance of each weekend of attendance.

Those students who have attained a satisfactory level in their module assignments progress to the dissertation year. Students are required to submit their dissertation within twelve months normally. This is a research year and the student will be involved in the writing of a dissertation under the guidance of a supervisor.

Course Modules

* Module One: Introduction to Special Education for the Classroom Teacher

Module one comprises of an introduction to the development of special educational provision both nationally and internationally. Critical issues affecting educational access for children and young people with special educational needs will be discussed and participants will be expected to critically engage with the theory and practice of inclusion.

* Module Two: Including children with disabilities and/or SEN in the mainstream classroom

Module two addresses the challenges and opportunities involved in designing inclusive learning environments within classrooms and schools. In particular, this module will explore current identification and assessment processes; the staged process of assessment; individual education planning.

* Module Three: Special Educational Needs and the Curriculum

Within module three participants critically engage with international perspectives on appropriate pedagogies for children and young people with special educational needs. Enabling learner access to the curriculum is explored and practical differentiation strategies are presented. Research in the area of special education is examined and research strategies are discussed.

* Module Four: Special education support for the mainstream school

Module four will examine the range of support provision in the education of children and young people who have special educational needs including whole school approaches; distinct roles of support personnel; support from agencies outside school. International perspectives on support will be explored on developing collaborative practice in addressing the support needs of children and young people who have special educational needs.

* Teaching and learning strategies

A variety of teaching and learning strategies are used throughout the programme, including group discussion, problem-based learning, individual presentation, e-learning and accessing online resources, group project work, case-studies, lectures and individual reading and research. Assessment of the taught component is via four assignments, and may include essays, case-study reports, oral presentations and portfolio type projects.