Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ERPM009: Special Educational Needs: Teaching and Learning

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The principal aim of this module is to facilitate critical examination of a range of theory and practice related to teaching and learning of students with special educational needs and disabilities. You will critically examine conceptions of, and approaches to diagnosis, assessment and intervention, and teaching approaches for a range of specific types of special educational needs/disabilities (e.g. autism, dyslexia, learning difficulties).  You will develop knowledge and understanding of approaches to teaching for diversity (e.g. curriculum models; differentiation and personalisation).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Understand theoretical models of learning and teaching pedagogies applied to the needs of learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
2. Describe approaches to diagnosis, assessment and intervention and teaching approaches for specific types of special educational needs/disabilities.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how specialist and mainstream settings meet the needs of learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of approaches to teaching for diversity (e.g. intervention; differentiation; inclusive pedagogies and personalisation).
Discipline-Specific Skills5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the relationship between theory and practice;
6. Demonstrate awareness of the problems which might exist in practice in terms of disability/difference/special educational needs/inclusion;
7. Compare and contrast different perspectives;
8. Engage with relevant sources of literature and current debates;
Personal and Key Skills9. Synthesise and organise ideas to present a convincing argument
10. Engage in critical, reflective debate
11. Explore some of the ways in which theoretical ideas, empirical research findings and policy positions might be applied to educational practice
12. Manage information, collect appropriate information (relating to theory, policy and practice) from a range of sources and undertake essential study tasks under guidance

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary over time, it is envisaged that the syllabus will consider a range of issues that relate to teaching and learning students with special educational needs and disability. The syllabus will consider how theory, research and policy inform the issues. Content is likely to include:

  • The diagnosis and assessment of “difference”
  • Theories of learning and development applied to teaching and learning of students with special educational needs and disability.
  • Special education and inclusive pedagogies.
  • Interventions for students with special educational needs and disability.
  • Approaches to teaching, learning and assessment for learners with particular areas of need.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
301200

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities3030 hours of tutor led seminars
Guided independent study20Preparatory work for taught seminars (including research tasks and collaborative tasks)
Guided independent study10Collation and review of seminar notes
Guided independent study20Set and supplementary reading
Guided independent study20Completion of formative assignment tasks
Guided independent study50Completion of summative assignment tasks

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Department for Education resources and information.

http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/send

 

Education Endowment Foundation Big Theme on SEN

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/evidence-summaries/evidence-reviews/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities-send/

 

Electronic journals:

British Journal of Special Education

Support for Learning

European Journal of Special Needs Education

Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs

International Journal of Inclusive Education

International Journal of Disability, Education and Development