Tred-208
 
 

Introduction

WebQuest

Assignment

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Introduction

You are in your first year of teaching.Thus far, you’ve managed to establish classroom expectations and routines that all but a few of your students follow successfully; are familiar enough with the curriculum for your grade levels that you are successfully constructing both long and short term plans; and, you found meeting parents during “Back-to-School-Night” a pleasant experience. 

However, not everything is proceeding smoothly.Some of your students have Individualized Learning Plans (IEPs) and require instructional accommodations.In some cases, you wonder if the accommodations are appropriate or sufficient to help the students meet their learning goals.You suspect that you have a couple of students who may have learning disabilities even though they have not been diagnosed.One in particular who is very engaged during class discussions, but complains that school is “lame” whenever you assign class work and who rarely
turns in homework assignments.What do you do?Who should you talk with?How can you learn more about learning disabilities so that you can help these students succeed?Keep reading to find the answers to these and other questions!

To complete this assignment you will assume the roles of researcher and teacher.As a researcher you will visit various websites to learn more about learning disabilities.As a teacher you will first create a brief descriptive case study of a student with a specific learning disability(s), then construct an action plan that outlines the ways in which you will accommodate the student’s learning needs through your instructional and assessment practices.

To begin, research the web using the online links below to formulate thoughtful and knowledgeable responses to these questions: 

1) How are Learning Disabilities (LD) defined?

2) What are the types of Learning Disabilities and their characteristics?

3) What are the causes of Learning Disabilities?

4) Are Learning Disabilities treatable with medication?  Are other treatments available?

5) How do 504 and IDEA legislation address the needs of students with LD? 

6) What factors must be considered in determining to apply either or both forms of legislation in meeting a particular student’s learning needs?

7) Typically, what are some school-based services provided for students with LD?

8) What challenges do LD students pose for teachers?

9) What educational interventions are effective in working with students with LD?

10) What strategies and accommodations have been shown to be effective in helping students with LD learn?

11) What types of support can teachers working with LD students generally expect at the school level? 

12) What other supports or resources can teachers tap into to assist them in working effectively with students with LD?

Step 1.Using the questions listed above to guide your investigation each group member will visit these online resources.

LD Indepth

Special Needs Opportunities Window

IDEA Practices and Regulations

KidSource Online

IDEA '97: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997

The Families and Advocates Partnership for Education

LD Online

Cleveland Heights Teachers Union

Assuming the role of teacher and working collaboratively with members of your group:

Step 2.Apply the knowledge you have gained as researchers by creating a handout that summarizes the essential aspects of what you’ve learned.Include resources that you think will be beneficial to others.

Step 3.Relying on the knowledge you’ve acquired about learning disabilities and your preparation to become teachers

a. select a particular learning disability (reading, auditory perception, dysnomia, etc.), and

b. create a case study of a fictional student.In two or three paragraphs, briefly describe your class environment and curriculum.Also, describe the learning disabled student including observed behaviors and ways the student appears to be academically and/or socially challenged.

Step 4. Outline an action plan that states specifically how you will modify your instruction and assessment practices to better meet the learning needs of this student.Identify how you will monitor the effectiveness of your action plan.

Step 5. Lead a mini-workshop in class to inform students about learning disabilities.You should plan to share your summary handout, case study and action plan. 

The products created as part of this WebQuest assignment will be assessed using the rubric below.
 

	Exemplary 3	Satisfactory 2	Adequate 1	Revise Incomplete	Score
Apply knowledge of learning disabilities by creating a summary handout	Reflects a thorough Summary of the information provided by the online resources.All questions are addressed fully.	The online material is summarized, but missing one or two pieces of key information All but one question have been addressed fully.	The information presented highlights some but not all of the key information.Not all of the questions are addressed fully.	Handout is not acceptable.See instructor for guidance.
Apply knowledge of learning disability by creating a case study	Case study is well written, realistic and includes a highly accurate description of the characteristics associated with the selected disability.	Case study is well written, realistic and includes an acceptable description of the characteristics associated with the selected disability.	Case study may not be convincing or may not include an accurate description of the characteristics associated with the selected disability.	Case study is not acceptable.See instructor for guidance.
Apply knowledge of educational interventions by developing an action plan	The action plan Outlines highly appropriate interventions and addresses instructional, assessment and monitoring practices fully.	The action plan outlines most of the interventions considered appropriate and addresses instructional, assessment and monitoring practices fully.	The action plan outlines most of the interventions considered appropriate and addresses instructional, assessment and monitoring practices somewhat.	Action plan is not acceptable. See instructor for guidance.
Apply knowledge of disability and teaching through leading a mini-workshop	Workshop was highly informative, well organized and conducted collaboratively.	Workshop was informative with few gaps, well organized and conducted collaboratively.	Workshop was somewhat informative with some gaps, fairly wellorganized and conducted collaboratively.	No opportunity to revise.

Congratulations on completing this WebQuest!You should now understand that individuals with learning disabilities do not learn in the same way or at the same pace as their non-disabled classmates.It is imperative that you continue to learn as much as possible about learning disabilities.When taught by teachers who are well prepared and knowledgeable about learning disabilities and new research findings many learning disabled individuals should be able to compensate for their disability.

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Credits & References

Image taken from www.google.com. (Images files, keyword learning disabilities.)