Title: Authentic Voice and Critical Incident in Special Education

Authors: Stephanie Chapman, Maureen Griffin, and Amy Griffith, University of WI-Whitewater

Contact: Stephanie Chapman, MS; University of WI-Whitewater, [email protected]; 262-472-1225

Discipline or Field: Special Education

Date: December 2, 2007

Course Name: SPECED 325/625 Characteristics of CD/EBD/LD


Executive Summary

The topic and focus of the lesson study is authentic voice and critical incident moving from personal meaning to understanding professional teaching standards. Through guided instruction, students will learn to use a critical incident process to examine a specific situation by describing the incident objectively, exploring the emotions of involved individuals, relating the situation to personal experiences as teachers or students, identifying the standards and dispositions exemplified in the critical incident, and developing a position reflecting personal beliefs discovered through the reflection process. This topic directly addresses the objectives by creating a class lesson and exploring how it affects student learning and thinking.


Course Description

This course addresses the characteristics of cognitive disabilities, emotional behavioral disabilities, and learning disabilities. The purpose of the course is to provide an overview of the theoretical and historical issues related to the three high incidence and most common o f the disabilities. Specific application of theory and history will be applied to all three areas looking at characteristics across the lifespan. Inter-relationships of the characteristics, needs and implication for practice will be covered. The prerequisite to this course is SPECED 205 Psychology of the Exceptional Child and admission to professional education at University of WI-Whitewater.

The class size is usually 25-30 students and lessons take place for about 2 1/2 hours per week. The class can take place in any classroom where there is computer technology available, although the class can be modified to fit any learning environment. The lesson topic of authentic voice and critical incident is important for students are studying to be future special education teachers and will reflect on a daily basis in their professional career. These changes will constitute an important aspect of professional growth.


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Complete Report

The Lesson

Below are links to the lesson plan and the materials used to teach it.

Lesson

Observation Guidelines and Protocol
Guidelines on how to use the observation protocol and blank copies of the protocol and observer reactions forms.

Pre/post index cards
Index cards used to survey students' understanding of the Wisconsin Teaching Standards at the beginning and end of the semester.

The Study

Below are links to the study of the lesson.

Study

Data for first lesson study
This is data from the beginning of the semester and the end of the semester for the first lesson study that was done. The data includes students responses to current understanding of teaching standards and helpful activities.

Data for second lesson study
This is data from the beginning of the semester and the end of the semester for the second lesson study that was done. The data includes students responses to current understanding of teaching standards and helpful activities.

10 Wisconsin Teaching Standards
This is a link to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 10 Wisconsin Teaching Standards as a reference for the notecard data.







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