Effective Practices
Programming and Instruction
For Students with Hearing Impairments

4 semester hours

SPED 5560/6560

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will look at historical perspectives as well as current issues and trends in the field of education of students with hearing impairments which influence programming and curriculum in the early intervention, preschool, elementary and secondary settings. Students will become familiar with the challenges of content area instruction for students with hearing impairments. Characteristics typical of types and degrees of hearing loss and their educational and social impact will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the modification of the instructional environment to meet the individual physical, cognitive, cultural, communication and social needs of students with hearing impairments. Included will be the management of assistive listening technology in the classroom.

Students will understand the purposes of assessment and make appropriate decisions concerning assessment selection. They will review curricular materials and describe how to select, adapt, and modify them for students with hearing impairment. Students will understand the IFSP/IEP process including three to three transition and the transition IEP. Attention will be paid to the development of unit plans and lesson plans to meet the state core curriculum standards. Special attention will be paid to the incorporation of language/reading, audition and technology across the curriculum.

Students will analyze the social and emotional needs of students with hearing impairments and their families. Discussion will address the needs of students and families with culturally diverse backgrounds. Professional and ethical practice will be emphasized. Discussion will include the roles and responsibilities of teachers to collaborate with and be a resource on hearing impairments to families and other professionals.

COURSE COMPETENCIES

• Draw comparisons between current educational practices for children with hearing impairments to educational practices of the past
• Identify current issues and trends in the field of education of students with hearing impairments which influence curriculum
• Demonstrate the ability to inservice the general educator to facilitate student success in inclusive settings
• Understand Early Intervention for infants and toddlers with hearing loss from referral to transition
• Describe the effects of hearing loss on families and the impact of deafness on psychosocial development of the individuals who are hearing impaired
• Demonstrate the ability to present unbiased information to parents and professionals in the area of communication methodology choices
• Describe how the characteristics of students with hearing impairments can effect learning
• Become familiar with the Utah State Core Curriculum and develop skills in writing Standards-Based IEP’s
• Describe the challenges that teachers of students with hearing impairments face when teaching content area and address these challenges in preparing units and lesson plans
• Describe the challenges that teachers of students with hearing impairments face, in the area of literacy development and address these challenges in instructional planning
• Be aware of the technology available to support instruction of students with hearing impairments and strategies to support the development of technology skills in students with hearing impairments
• Demonstrate the ability to select appropriate assessments for students with hearing impairments. Use evaluation results to write PLEPs and develop goals and objectives
• Demonstrate understanding of the transition IEP
• Review curricular materials for effective use and needed adaptations
• Demonstrate understanding of several curricular designs to meet the unique needs of diverse learners
• Determine appropriate modifications of the instructional environment to meet the unique needs of learners with hearing impairment
• Develop a management system for assistive listening technology in the classroom
• Demonstrate the ability to embed communication skills into content area instruction
• Be familiar with instructional strategies which integrate several curriculum areas
• Discuss professional and ethical practice and determine roles and responsibilities in the basic categories of teaching situations