Advanced Diploma in Education in Special Needs Education
Education, Training and Development - Schooling
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Faculty of Education Sciences at the institution is committed to the transformation of the South African education system and to the alleviation of the dire need for greater numbers of well-trained teachers, particularly in the field of Special Needs Education. Dedicated research and focused academic qualifications, combined with continuous involvement in educational practice, enable the Faculty to provide a high standard of learning opportunities appropriate to the South African context that fosters lifelong learning.
The Faculty strives towards implementing the best sustainable practices and strategies to meet contemporary educational challenges and promote excellence in education. This qualification will enable the learner to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories related to special needs education and be able to apply this knowledge to practice.
- Manage, organize, and teach a class of learners with special needs, effectively using didactic skills within the special needs classroom environment.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges that face learners with special needs in South Africa due to social challenges such as poverty, deep rural environments, HIV/AIDS, and the language and cultural diversity.
- Demonstrate knowledge of different but appropriate procedures and methods of inquiry and information to be able to identify, analyze, and critically reflect on complex problems in Special Needs Education.
- Communicate accurately, coherently, and effectively by means of oral, written, and technological skills when engaging with relevant stakeholders within the school context, as well as when preparing assignments, giving evidence of insight and respect for intellectual property conventions and rules.
- Monitor his/her learning progress and apply relevant learning strategies to realize all the outcomes of this qualification.
Rationale:
Most schools in South Africa have a very diverse learner population, not only in terms of culture, but also in terms of educational needs. There is, therefore, a great need for teachers, and specifically teachers in management roles, to develop their knowledge and skills in the teaching of learners with special needs.
The Advanced Diploma in Special Needs Education is a formal qualification that will equip teachers with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and values to play a more effective role in classrooms consisting of a diverse learner population. This qualification will improve the knowledge and skills of teachers who have already been appointed to positions where they are involved with special needs learners but do not have the necessary expertise. It will also offer an opportunity to teachers who wish to change their teaching careers to become more involved with Special Needs Education.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories related to special needs education and be able to apply this knowledge to practice.
- Manage, organise and teach a class of learners with special needs, effectively using didactic skills within the special needs classroom environment.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges that face learners with special needs in South Africa due to social challenges such as poverty, deep rural environments, HIV/AIDS, and the language and cultural diversity.
- Demonstrate knowledge of different but appropriate procedures and methods of enquiry and information to be able to identify, analyse and critically reflect on complex problems in Special Needs Education.
- Communicate accurately, coherently and effectively by means of oral, written, and technological skills when engaging with relevant stakeholders within the school context, as well as when preparing assignments, giving evidence of insight and respect for intellectual property conventions and rules.
- Monitor his/her own learning progress and apply relevant learning strategies to realise all the outcomes of this qualification.
Assessment Criteria
Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Discuss and evaluate key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, and theories in Special Needs Education.
- Discuss different theories applicable to Special Needs Education.
- Critically discuss and compare different schools of thought in Special Needs Education.
- Apply a range of methods to resolve problems and introduce change in practical situations in the school environment.
Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Explain principles, values, skills, and attitudes needed when working in a special needs environment.
- Apply skills, values, and attitudes when teaching in a special needs environment.
- Justify decisions and actions drawing on ethical values and approaches.
- Explain different skills a teacher needs in the environment of learners with special needs.
- Identify challenges teachers encounter and evaluate own skills.
- Identify and analyze problems related to the special needs of learners in the school environment.
- Ethically apply evidence-based solutions for complex problems.
Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Identify challenges special needs teachers face in different educational contexts in South Africa.
- Discuss challenges faced when teaching in an environment of HIV/AIDS and poverty.
- Evaluate and discuss possible solutions for identified challenges.
Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Identify specific procedures and methods of inquiry in Special Needs Education.
- Identify challenges teachers encounter in a Special Needs environment.
- Evaluate and apply procedures and methods of inquiry in a practical situation.
- Discuss and reflect on solutions for problems in practical Special Needs classrooms.
Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Identify and describe principles of effective communication.
- Apply principles of effective communication in the teacher's career.
- Develop well-formulated arguments and communicate ideas effectively in writing.
Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of own learning strategies.
- Develop different strategies to improve learning outcomes.
Integrated Assessment:
- Assessment and moderation procedures based on the institution's policy.
- Continuous formative and summative assessment activities within an outcomes-based higher education environment.
- Utilize both formal and informal formative assessments for monitoring and feedback purposes.
- Offer opportunities for learners to develop a portfolio to demonstrate competence in applying knowledge and special skills in Special Needs Education.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 132
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.