Syllabus

Master of Science in Education

EDU 723: Teaching and Learning in Inclusive Settings (Summer B 2021)

Credits - 3

Description

This course focuses on methods and strategies for teaching all students in inclusion settings. Topics covered include: current research, issues of concern, learning standards, promising practices, behavioral strategies, and methods for individualizing, differentiating, creating, and providing universally designed instruction. Participants will be expected to read and analyze research studies and plan, implement, and evaluate instructional activities with students with disabilities in inclusion settings. Participants can pursue an elementary or secondary strand.

*EDU 723 meets the “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom” requirement for the State of Maine.

Materials

Tomlinson, C. & McTighe, J. (2006). Integrating differentiated instruction and understanding by design. Alexandria, VA: ASCD. (ISBN 978-1416602842, E-text 978-1416602842)

Supplemental:

7th edition: American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). ISBN: 978-1433832154. E-text: 978-1433832185

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

This course is aligned with INTASC Standard Model Core Teaching Standards and CEC Advanced Preparation Standards.

Utilize a variety of research-based instructional strategies for teaching students with disabilities. (INTASC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; CEC 1, 4, 6)
Design and deliver instruction for specific learners with disabilities. (INTASC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; CEC 2, 3, 4, 6)
Assess mastery of content standards for students with disabilities (INTASC 6, 9; CEC 1, 5, 6)
Apply effective grading practices for students with disabilities. (INTASC 6, 9; CEC 1, 6)
Embed life and transition planning in inclusive instruction. (INTASC 1,2,3,9; CEC 6, 7)
Use research supported behavioral support strategies. (INTASC 2, 3, 4; CEC 6)
Articulate professional philosophy of responsive teaching. (INTASC 9,10; CEC 3, 4, 6)

Assignments

Graphic Organizer and Analysis: This assignment provides you with an opportunity to construct a graphic representation (graphic organizer, story web, or digital presentation) depicting the relationship between the principles of Understanding by Design and Differentiated Instruction.

Understanding by Design (UbD) Unit Plan: This assignment is broken into three stages, spanning three weeks of instruction. You apply UbD and Differentiated Instruction practices to create a complete unit of study for your student population.

Grading Philosophy: In this assignment, you will consider the challenges associated with grading exceptional students in the inclusive classroom. Upon gathering evidence from readings and small group discussions with your peers, you will write a short philosophy statement.

Embedded Transition Plan: After reading about inclusive practices with students with severe disabilities and requirements for life skills education/transition planning for all age-levels of students with disabilities, you will revisit your Understanding by Design Unit Plan. You will indicate appropriate points for embedding life/transition skills into your plan.

Tiered Behavior Intervention Essay: Identify methods for supporting students with behaviors that fall within the Pyramid Model of Response to Intervention pyramid within an inclusive classroom. Apply behavior management strategies to design a positive classroom environment to support all students.

Responsive Teacher Statement: Designing instruction that responds to all students’ needs is at the heart of inclusive education. This final assignment provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon your new learning and determine how you will implement the strategies learning in this course in your own work.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

ASSIGNMENT	Possible Points
Introduction Discussion Board	2
Weekly Discussions (5 X 3 Points Each)	15
Graphic Organizer and Analysis	5
Understanding by Design Unit Plan Template (3 Stages - 14 points each)	42
Grading Philosophy	9
Embedded Transition Plan	9
Tiered Behavior Intervention Essay	9
Responsive Teacher Statement	9
TOTAL	100

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00

Schedule

Learning Module	Topics	Readings	Assignments	Due Dates
Week 1 6/23 – 6/27	Introduction to Responsive Teaching	Chapters 1 and 2 Supplemental Readings	Class Discussion: Introduction Graphic Organizer and Analysis	Sunday by 11:59 PM ET
Week 2 6/28 – 7/4	Understanding by Design and Differentiated Instruction, Part 1	Chapters 3 and 4	Small Group Discussion* Stage 1 of UbD Unit Plan	Sunday by 11:59 PM ET
Week 3 7/5 – 7/11	Understanding by Design and Differentiated Instruction, Part 2	Chapter 5	Small Group Discussion* Stage 1 and 2 of UbD Unit Plan	Sunday by 11:59 PM ET
Week 4 7/12 – 7/18	Understanding by Design and Differentiated Instruction, Part 3	Chapters 6, 7, and 9 Supplemental Readings	Small Group Discussion* Stages 1, 2 and 3 of Ubd Unit Plan	Sunday by 11:59 PM ET
Week 5 7/19 – 7/25	Principles of Effective Grading	Chapter 8 Supplemental Readings	Small Group Discussion* Grading Philosophy	Sunday by 11:59 PM ET
Week 6 7/26 – 8/1	Transition Plans	Supplemental Readings	Embedded Transition Plan	Sunday by 11:59 PM ET
Week 7 8/2 – 8/8	Positive Behavior Intervention	Supplemental Readings	Tiered Behavior Intervention Essay	Sunday 11:59 PM ET
Week 8 8/9 – 8/15	Wrap Up	None	Class Discussion Responsive Teacher Statement	FRIDAY by 11:59 PM ET

* With the exception of Weeks 1 and 8, initial discussion board posts are to be made by midnight ET on WEDNESDAY of that week. Responses to at least two other students are to be made by midnight ET on Sunday of that week. It is expected that you participate on multiple days and not just on the due dates.

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page

UNE Libraries:

Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
Education Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/education/
Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

Information Technology Services (ITS)

ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

AI Use

The Graduate Programs in Education holds the position that Grammarly and other AI writing and generative technology should not be used when completing course assignments, unless explicitly permitted by course faculty and assignment instructions. These tools do not support a student’s personal and direct capacity to develop and hone skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing, which are central to graduate-level rigor, assessment, and research. Use of these tools when not explicitly permitted may result in an academic integrity infraction.

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools the University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Attendance Policy

8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.