Special Needs Education
The course consists of a common section and two elective specialisations. The common section includes theories related to the special educational field of work, special educational research methods, special educational advice and language and social development in minority groups.
The elective specialisation courses consist of:
a) Language development, general language difficulties and other language difficulties, general and specific reading and writing difficulties (dyslexia)
or
b) Complex interaction, bullying, stress and stress management, emotions, seriously ill children, suicidality, autism, AD/HD, children in families experiencing conflict, children in families experiencing substance abuse, neglect, abuse and attachment problems.
KNOWLEDGE
The student has an advanced level of
- knowledge about the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society, normalisation, equality and inclusion of special needs education
- knowledge about special educational advisory/guidance traditions and theories, parental guidance and parental collaboration, various research methods and research ethics
- knowledge about language, reading and writing difficulties, or various forms of interaction difficulties, and about prevention, assessment/mapping and remedial work
- knowledge about how to collaborate during multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work
- knowledge about innovation, developmental and systematic work, and how to develop good learning environments in schools and kindergartens, and knowledge about rights and proceedings based on legislation and regulations
SKILLS
At an advanced level, the student can
- plan and carry out independent special educational development work through the critical use of theory and other sources, relevant research methods and in accordance with ethical requirements and guidelines
- provide relevant special educational advice and guidance
- at an early stage, identify children/pupils who have language, reading and writing difficulties or interaction difficulties
- map/assess and analyse the results in order to conduct preventive work, and is able to plan, implement and evaluate relevant special educational measures
- collaborate during multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work with other professional groups and with parents/guardians
GENERAL COMPETENCE
At an advanced level, the student can
- analyse relevant issues related to special needs education and research ethics
- apply their knowledge and skills in the special educational subject area in order to carry out advanced work tasks and projects
- convey comprehensive independent work and master the forms of expression used in the special educational subject area
- communicate about special educational issues, analyses and conclusions, both with specialists and to the general public
- contribute to innovation and innovative processes within the area of special needs education
Special needs education with elective specialisation in language, reading and writing difficulties or interaction/behavioural difficulties is a programme of professional study. Active participation and collaborative learning are therefore key. The teaching in the common section will be carried out in one gathered group. The teaching in the elective specialisation courses will be carried out in individual specialisation groups. Teaching and learning will take place in the form of lectures, discussion groups, seminar groups and during fieldwork. In addition, self-study constitutes a substantial part of the learning activity. Supervision is also a key part of the teaching and learning process. This assumes that students are active, are able to problematise and solve problems. Active participation and collaboration between students are prerequisites for achieving the course’s learning outcomes.
The programme of study includes online support. Therefore, students must have access to the Internet.
Due to infection control considerations, parts of the teaching may be conducted digitally.
3 weeks of fieldwork related to the specialisation task.
Guidelines for supervised professional training at the Faculty of Education and Arts, as well as more information about supervised professional training can be found on the Supervised Professional Training in Teacher Education page
Composite assessment (SV): All teaching and examination activities described below must be approved/ passed in order to pass the programme of study as a whole.
Compulsory participation (OD): A minimum of 80% attendance is required on the different courses in the programme of study. Grading: Approved/not approved. Weighting 0/100.
Semester and scheduled activities in the programme of study are compulsory. The study sessions are mainly based around lectures, development of relationship skills, communication training within the special educational field of work, guidance practice and the practical use of mapping and assessment materials.
Coursework (AK1) - individual reflection tasks. Scope: Maximum 5 pages. Grading: Approved/not approved. Weighting 0/100.
The reflection tasks are related to various programme of study courses. The tasks will be case-based and will contain theory, source referencing, reflections and course literature.
Coursework 2 (AK2) - field notes. Scope: 2 pages. Grading: Approved/not approved. Weighting 0/100.
3 weeks of fieldwork will be carried out in connection with the individual task. Field notes must be taken based on the fieldwork. The field notes must summarise the fieldwork in connection with the task.
Assignment (OP) - A supervised, case-based individual assignment. Scope: 10-12 pages. Weighting: 50/100. Grading: A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail.
The assignment must be research-based and written as a scientific article. Assessment criteria:
- Demonstrate advanced special educational knowledge
- In-depth ability to reflect on professional challenges
- See connections between the individual and the environment
- Academic skill in terms of relevant research methods and analysis of collected data material
- Demonstrate that knowledge can be transferred to the field of practice
- Research ethics
- In-depth and reflective knowledge regarding analysis, summary and conclusion
Home examination (HJ) - 8 hour individually written home examination. Weighting: 50/100. Grading: A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail.
Assessment criteria:
- Ability to reflect on professional challenges
- See connections between the individual and the environment
- Demonstrate advanced special educational knowledge
- Demonstrate independent ability to solve problems
There is a requirement that OD, AK1 and AK2 must be approved/passed in order to take OP and HJ.
Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:
SPD2003 - Social and Emotional Difficulties - 15 credits
SPD5018 - Language Disorder, Dyslexia and Mathematics Difficulties - 15 credits
SPD5013 - Social and Emotional Difficulties - 15 credits
SPD5023 - Functional impairment and neurodiversity - 15 credits
SPD5026 - Language, Reading, Writing and Mathematics Impairments - 15 credits