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Language-Based Learning Disabilities: Strategies for Success, Hudson – 4 Weeks – Spring Online 2020

This strategy-based professional development course addresses the specific language challenges that students with language-based learning disabilities (LBLD), such as dyslexia, face and the impact that their learning differences may have on their academic behavior. As a result of the learning experiences in the course, participants will become more competent in their ability to:

• identify the signs of language-based learning disabilities in students in your classroom
• assess each students’ strengths and weaknesses with language tasks and monitor progress
• micro-unit the skills that are specific to both the production and processing of written language so that these skills may be taught in isolation
• employ effective instructional strategies to help students with diagnosed learning disabilities demonstrate academic progress

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

• Overview of LBLD presents an introduction to language-based learning disabilities, including information about the diagnosis of LBLD and best practices for assisting students with LBLD to develop their language skills.
• Expository Writing explains the hidden demands of writing and outlines a useful 5-step process to help students express their thoughts on a topic
• Executive Function outlines the complexity of goal-oriented behavior for students with LBLD, focusing on tangible methods to help them reach their goals.
• Cross-Curricular Application ties the other 3 modules together by explaining the benefit of employing the same helpful strategies in every academic experience. Though no new teaching strategies are introduced in this section, participants are asked to consider how consistent application of the previously learned strategies could benefit students with LBLD.

Each module will follow the same basic outline:

• The introduction will provide a basic overview of the main topic of the unit
• The definition and clarification section will provide you with important background information about the central language task covered in that unit.
• The LBLD impact section will provide specific information about how LBLD affects the skills being covered in that course unit.
• The strategy section(s) will explain the necessary background and steps for a specific strategy that you can employ in order to help students who struggle with language. In addition to learning valuable background information, you will also observe two different demonstrations of each strategy: one with an elementary school student and the other with a high school student.
• The conclusion will tie together all of the information in the unit

Specific Assignments:

• Pre and Post-Assessments: These ungraded questionnaires will be used to self-assess knowledge and application of course content.
• Discussion Posts: The discussions will require participants to post an initial response and reply to at least one other post.  
• Assignments: The assignments in each module will require participants to put theory into practice as they read and follow the specific directions, and use examples provided as a guideline. These assignments will be assessed as complete/incomplete.
• Concluding Thoughts: These tasks require participants to synthesize three key takeaways from the modules.

MATERIALS

Excerpts of the following text will be available in the course.
Newhall, P. W. (2012).  Language-based learning disabilities.  In P. W. Newhall (Ed.), Language-based teaching series. Prides Crossing, MA: Landmark School Outreach Program.

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This course was possible thanks to the support of the Oak Foundation.