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Understanding Students with Dyslexia – 6 Weeks – Fall Online 2023

**Previously titled Understanding Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia**

Course Credit 15 Hours/PDPs
With an option to add 1 graduate credit from Fitchburg State University

This professional development course provides educators with an overview of dyslexia, which falls under the diagnostic umbrella of a specific learning disability (SLD). The first half of the course will define the learning disability, debunk associated myths, and explore the benefits of early identification and intervention. The neurological origins and common manifestations of dyslexia, as well as the comorbidity of dyslexia and other learning challenges (such as dyscalculia and dysgraphia), will also be explored. The second half of the course will introduce best instructional practices for supporting students with dyslexia, cover special education laws related to the SLD, and offer alternative perspectives for consideration. The content and strategies presented in this course are rooted in the science of reading (SOR).

This course will help you:

• Define the term dyslexia and debunk myths associated with the learning disability 
• Understand the neurological origins of learning challenges for individuals with dyslexia 
• Gain awareness of common co-occurring learning challenges among students with dyslexia, such as dyscalculia and dysgraphia 
• Explore general best-practice instructional strategies to support students
• Build an understanding of the state and federal statutes that are in place to support students with dyslexia 
• Consider alternative perspectives of learning disabilities

The course is divided into six, self-paced modules:

• Module 1: Definition of dyslexia and other related learning disabilities
• Module 2: Neurological origins and manifestations
• Module 3: Comorbidity of dyslexia and other challenges
• Module 4: Overview of general best classroom practices
• Module 5: Special education laws 
• Module 6: Alternative social perspectives

Each module will follow the same basic outline:

• Reading of course content followed by a group discussion
• A reading of additional course content followed by a brief quiz 
• A viewing of additional resources followed by a related application assignment
• An opportunity to submit concluding thoughts/reflection responses about the relevance of the course content

Specific Assignments:

• Pre and Post-Assessments: These ungraded questionnaires will be completed at the beginning and end of the course in order for participants to self-assess knowledge and application of course content.
• Quizzes: The quizzes will assess comprehension of the content from the required reading.  The quizzes will be automatically graded within the course platform. Although participants must earn 80% or higher to move on to the next section of the course, there are unlimited attempts allowed.  
• Discussion Posts: The discussions will require participants to post an initial response and reply to at least one other post.  These tasks will be assessed using specific rubrics.  
• Application Assignments: The assignments in each module will require participants to apply their understanding of course content to follow the assignment directions and use examples provided as a guideline for format length, and quality of writing. These tasks will be assessed using specific rubrics.
• Concluding Thoughts/Reflection Responses: These tasks require participants to briefly synthesize takeaways and/or make connections between course content and will be assessed using specific rubrics.

MATERIALS

There is not a required text for the course.

GRADUATE CREDIT

There is an option to add one (1) graduate credit to this 6-week course from Fitchburg State University. Graduate credit is optional; the cost is $210 and the non-refundable payment is made directly to Fitchburg. The timeline to opt into graduate credit is firm (October 17 – November 3) and cannot be accepted after that time. Details about the optional graduate credit will be embedded in the “Course Welcome” module of the online course so you can make your final decision at that time. 

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