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

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Armstrong, D. and Squires, G. eds. (2012) Contemporary Issues in Special Educational Needs: Considering the Whole Child. Maidenhead: Open University.

Cornwall, J., & Graham-Matheson, L. (2012). Leading on Inclusion: Dilemmas, Debates and New Perspectives. London: Routledge.

De Boer, A., Pijl, S. J., & Minnaert, A. (2011). Regular primary schoolteachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education: A review of the literature. International journal of inclusive education, 15(3), 331-353.

Farrell, P. and Ainscow, M. (eds) (2002) Making special education inclusive. London: Fulton.

Florian, L., & Spratt, J. (2013). Enacting inclusion: A framework for interrogating inclusive practice. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 28(2), 119-135.

Frederickson, N. and Cline, T. (2009) Special educational needs, inclusion and diversity. 2nd Edition. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Garner, P. (2009). Special Educational Needs: the key concepts.London: Routledge.

Graham, L. J. (2015). A little learning is a dangerous thing: Factors influencing the increased identification of special educational needs from the perspective of education policy-makers and school practitioners. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 62(1), 116-132.

Lewis, A. and Norwich, B. (2005) (eds) Special teaching for special children? Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Martin-Denham, S. (2015) Teaching children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. London: Sage

Nind, M., Rix, J., Sheehy, K. and Simmons, K. (2005) Curriculum and pedagogy in inclusive education. London: RoutledgeFalmer/Open University

Norwich, B., & Eaton, A. (2015). The new special educational needs (SEN) legislation in England and implications for services for children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 20(2), 117-132.

Raveaud, M. (2005). Hares, tortoises and the social construction of the pupil: differentiated learning in French and English primary schools. British Educational Research Journal, 31(4), 459-479.

ELE https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=7989