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Understanding Students with Dyslexia – 6 Weeks – Summer Online 2021

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

Course Credit 15 Hours/PDPs
With an option to add 1 graduate  credit (see below) from Colorado State University – Pueblo.

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 general best practices for supporting students with dyslexia, cover special education laws related to the SLD, and offer alternative perspectives for consideration.

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

Due to the impact of the pandemic, we understand that it’s important to address how to implement instructional strategies in a variety of formats to meet students’ needs. Opportunities to adapt instructional practices for in-person and remote learning will be available in all of our online courses.

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

The following is required only for those seeking graduate credit:
Redford, J. (Director). (2012). The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia [Documentary]. KPJR Films.

GRADUATE CREDIT

We offer an optional (1) graduate credit for this course through Colorado State University – Pueblo. Graduate credit may be added by selecting the check box labeled “Grad Credit Fee” before clicking “Register.” The cost of 1 graduate credit is $125 and may NOT be added after the start date of the course. If you select the graduate credit option, you will be required to submit a registration form at the start of your course. Additional and/or alternative assignments may be required for participants seeking graduate credit.

See our FAQ page for specific information about our online courses.