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2023-24

Essential Objectives

Course Syllabus


Revision Date: 08-Jan-24
 

Spring 2024 | EDU-1270-VO01 - Supporting Young Children with Diverse Abilities


Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Location: Online
Credits: 3 (45 hours)
Day/Times: Meets online
Semester Dates: 01-23-2024 to 05-06-2024
Last day to drop without a grade: 02-11-2024 - Refund Policy
Last day to withdraw (W grade): 03-24-2024 - Refund Policy
This course has started, please contact the offering academic center about registration

Faculty

Rebecca Majoya
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

Course Description

This course introduces students to the history, philosophy, legislation, and recommended practices for supporting children with diverse abilities from birth through age 8. The course will provide an overview of typical and atypical development and explore impacts of congenital and environmental factors on children with diverse abilities. Course topics will include family-centered practice, early intervention, at-risk populations, inclusion, referrals, and partnerships with special education and health professionals. Prerequisite: a child development course.


Essential Objectives

1. Describe, explain, and analyze historical, legal, and philosophical foundations of early intervention and early childhood special education and explain the impact of past concepts on present theories, recommended best practice, legislation, and attitudes.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of typical and atypical physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and linguistic development of children prenatal through age 8.
3. Explain how diverse and complex factors, including environment, culture, language, socio-economic conditions, and adverse childhood experiences, can impact the development of children with diverse abilities.
4. Discuss and employ a variety of strategies to observe and report on children's development and explain how and when to make referrals.
5. Describe evidence-based practices and adaptations in early childhood and school settings, including universal design, to create healthy, respectful, and inclusive learning environments for all children.
6. Explain and analyze effective approaches for collaborating with families with children of diverse abilities.
7. Identify and describe state systems, processes, and legal frameworks for supporting children and families with diverse abilities.
8. Describe the roles and services provided by early intervention professionals such as speech pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.
9. Describe and analyze processes to prepare and implement Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individual Education Program (IEP) plans.


Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.


Required Textbooks and Resources


*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.


Methods

Textbooks and Resources: There are no required textbooks to purchase. To provide current, varied, and broad-based information about topics related to this course, our class will review information (websites, online texts and articles, discussion board readings, research studies, videos, podcasts, etc.) that can be accessed for free on the Canvas class site. Accessing resources in this way not only allows students to avoid the cost of a textbook, but also provides opportunities for them to examine additional topics related to this course and explore their own personal interests.

Methods: This course is designed to give students an opportunity to reflect on their connections to the material presented and examined, and also consider different perspectives. Course assignments and activities are designed to consider different learning styles and interests, allowing adult students to learn and demonstrate knowledge in various ways. Methods used include Discussion Board Assignments that provide opportunities for our class to submit posts and discuss course topics, and Choice Assignments that allow students to explore interests. The Methods integrate current best practices in Early Childhood and the resources/documents that practitioners use in the field, so that practical and useful techniques can be applied.


Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria: Throughout the course students can earn points/percentages (0 to 100) for completing required Assignments and participating in required class activities. Each of these is assigned a value and has instructions. Seven points per week for 14 weeks (or 98 points/percent) and two points for one week (or 2 points/percent) can be earned. Required due dates/times are also specified. Grades are recorded in the Gradebook system and students are required to review these and any comments/messages (and reply when needed and/or requested). Weekly assignments will be posted under the Modules and Discussion Boards. Students are also required to review any other additional communications and course instructions. Submitting assignments/posts on boards and engaging in discussions allows our class to develop an interactive and supportive learning community. Following Netiquette (internet etiquette) guidelines for online communication is essential.


Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

 HighLow
A+10098
A Less than 9893
A-Less than 9390
B+Less than 9088
B Less than 8883
B-Less than 8380
C+Less than 8078
C Less than 7873
C-Less than 7370
D+Less than 7068
D Less than 6863
D-Less than 6360
FLess than 60 
P10060
NPLess than 600


Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

  • In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
  • Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
  • Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.


Participation Expectations

Attendance, Assignments, and Communication:

Online Weeks for this course start on Tuesday Mornings (when the weekly Discussion Board is available for you to submit posts). The weeks end on Monday Evenings at 11:59 pm when the discussion board closes (and late posts cannot be submitted/accepted in the system). The board will automatically close. Students are required to submit a minimum of three posts on weekly Discussion Boards (unless otherwise noted). The Assignment Post (1) includes your responses/answers that address the presented material (course objectives) for that week and the Response Posts (2 minimum) are the responses/replies that you submit when engaging with class colleagues. Your Assignment Post for each week is due by Friday 11:59 pm (“not” at end of the online week) and you can post it sooner during the week if you want. Please do not wait until Friday to review/read the weekly assignment, since it is posted earlier. Your Posts are made during the week (and all of the required weekly posts cannot be made on the same day). It is expected that posts meet the specific criteria for the weekly assignment and are submitted by the required due dates/times, and that active and consistent class participation are demonstrated. The assignments generate numerous discussions that allow us to share ideas and reflections. Students who have taken this course have shared that the assignments and interactive discussions have allowed them to gain knowledge that they applied in real early childhood settings or plan to in the future. Additional specific instructions/criteria will be provided.

I look forward to getting to know you this semester! Please contact me if you have any questions. Rhonda

The Week One (first class) Discussion Board assignment/activity will be posted one week before the start of the semester or earlier (under the Week One Module). Visiting the canvas course page before the start of the semester will allow you to review course information in advance.

Completing Discussion Board Assignments (including Posts) and other Assignments, attending classes and participating on discussion boards, and adhering to assignment/submission instructions and due dates/times are course requirements. Completing/submitting assignments and actively participating on discussion boards (and making required posts) are required to assess/monitor class Participation and Attendance (and if essential objectives are met).

If needed, students can make up work for one missed discussion board class (if they contact the instructor “before” the start of the next class to develop a plan and if the class is not the last one or a special assignment class). If the weekly assignment involves something like a special assignment (or when you might be sharing/presenting), then it might not be able to be made up. However, you should still contact me if you need support or have any questions about absences or any assignments. If a student has two absences, they are required to contact the instructor immediately, since missing two to three classes can result in not meeting the course requirements and Essential Course Objectives. Please contact the instructor if there are extreme circumstances that are impacting your ability to participate each week (be present) and/or hand in assignments. Prompt communication is essential so that issues can be discussed. Thank you!

Students are required to read/review “all” course communications and all course information that is shared/posted/sent (e.g., messages, comments, announcements, modules, assignment instructions, posts, and all other forms of communication and information). Replying to messages from the instructor when needed or requested is a course requirement. Please become familiar with the Canvas messaging system that is used for this course.

Weekly Topics and Syllabus Information: Additional assignment instructions will be posted under each Weekly Module, and students are also required to review all other communications/information regarding the course and assignments. It is a course requirement that all posts and assignments be submitted by the due dates/times to receive credit. Please contact the instructor if there are extreme circumstances that are impacting your ability to participate each week (be present) and/or submit assignments. Prompt communication is essential so that issues can be discussed. Thank you!

Week One for this Spring 2024 online semester starts on Tuesday 1/23/24 and you will be making posts during this week for your First Assignment for Week #1.

Weeks/Modules-Topics- Readings/Assignments are listed below:

Week #1 Topics: Review Course Information/Procedures/Policies, Resources, Documents and Modules; Complete Activity/Assignment on Qualities for an Early Childhood Educator; Participate in an Introduction Activity. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues related to topics. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #2 Topics: Inclusion and Special Education (read article) and Willowbrook (view video). Readings/Assignments: Submit Posts pertaining to historical, legal, and philosophical foundations of special education (including early childhood), past and present approaches, recommended best practices, legislation, state/federal systems and legal frameworks. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #3 Topics: Early Childhood Special Education; IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); Categories of Eligibility; IEPs and IFSPs; Vermont’s Early Childhood Outcomes Practices and Procedures document; Terminology and Acronyms; Identity-First vs People-First Language. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #4 Topics: Typical and atypical physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and linguistic development; Connecting VELS (Vermont Early Learning Standards) to Activities/Lessons; Considering diverse needs/abilities when creating inclusive learning environments. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #5 Topics: How diverse and complex factors, and adverse childhood experiences can impact the development of children. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #6 Topics: Check In Week. Time to connect, discuss interests, and/or ask questions. Readings/Assignments: No Discussion Board Posts required this week. Attendance and points recorded with you communicate/submit in the Assignment System.

Week #7 Topics: Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), Occupational Therapist (OT), Physical Therapist (PT) and other Related Services Providers; How Related Services Providers Support Children with Diverse Abilities; The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Programs (IEPS) and Related Services. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week # 8 Topics: Select a Peer-Reviewed Research Article/Study (your choice) about a topic related to Supporting Young Children with Diverse Abilities (birth through age 8). Readings/Assignments: Review and share article. Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues.

Week # 9 Topics: The Pyramid Model for Promoting Social-Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children; Strategies that Educators Use; Early Childhood Organizations and Resources (NAEYC and VTNAEYC, DEC and NCPMI). Readings/ Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week # 10 Topics: The Benefits of Early Childhood Nature-based Learning; Fostering Children’s Executive Function Skills; Describing Observations about Child Development. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week # 11 Topics: Review of IDEA Disability Categories; Disability Language Style Guide; Informational Websites and Fact Sheets; Perspectives of Children and Parents. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #12 Topics: Children’s Books and Diversity; Reviewing a related book and Book List Resources; Selecting and Sharing a Picture Book about Diversity for ages 3-8 (in Writing or with YuJa Video). Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #13 Topics: What’s happening in Early Childhood Education? Sharing current news stories/events that interest us. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues.

Week #14 Topics: Observing Behaviors and Creating Activities; Assessment Practices and TS-GOLD (Teaching Strategies GOLD); Stages of Writing Development; Using Math Talk to Support Learning. Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues. Links to readings, video clips, websites and related resources will be provided on canvas Preview of Assignments for the Discussion Board.

Week #15 Topic: Reflection Activity (Last Week). Readings/Assignments: Submit Assignment Post and Response Posts to Class Colleagues.

Note: Additions/revisions to this document will be made as needed. Additional information/instructions will be provided for topics/assignments and for course details.


Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:


CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please
  1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
  2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
  3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.


Academic Integrity


CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.