The seminar focuses on early childhood development and the theories underlying disabilities. The seminar provides specialised preparation in screening and assessment of young children, early intervention strategies and behaviour management of infants and preschool children. Issues related to early childhood care and policies for infants with special educational needs and disabilities as well as appropriate support to their parents will be discussed. The student will explore various research findings about how infants and young children develop and learn. Studies undertaken in the African environment and their implications for special educators will be examined.
This course discusses the theoretical and management aspects that govern the broad view of Special and Inclusive Education administration. Topics covered in the course include leadership decision making, communication, organizing, planning, and implementation. Also discussed is the use of authority and decentralization and delegation of authority. The student also does analysis of existing legislations, litigations and administrative rulings related to special and inclusive education. Issues related to equality, equity and fairness will be discussed. The student will further examine procedures that protect the rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The course exposes students to a range of issues, principles and practices in educational inquiry and research. Procedures and methodologies used in carrying out research in education and psychology as well as applied statistics are investigated. The course entails an in-depth overview of educational research methods, including planning and conducting valid and reliable research and the dissemination of research outcomes. The course provides students with skills and knowledge in quantitative research inquiry. An overview of appropriate statistical tests in quantitative inquiry is covered as well as ethical issues in research.
The student is assigned supervisors who will guide him/her to identify a research topic to investigate based on the College of Education Studies and the University format on graduate thesis writing. The student reviews related literature, collects and analyses data and presents final report.
The student will be exploring current trends and controversial issues and their relationship to policy, practice and research. There will be discussion on how the field has evolved in the use of assistive technology and current trends in educational practices. At the end of the course, the student should be able to present position statements about the trends and issues related to Special and Inclusive Education derived from current literature. The student will also examine various policies in special and inclusive education. These will include the Western, Asian and African policy contexts. Strategies for policy formulation and implementation will be discussed.
The course examines the UNESCO (1994) Salamanca proposition for educational system all over the world to develop structures for the education of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the mainstream or regular school/classrooms. What are the arguments for the proposition? The student is expected to come to terms with the benefits and challenges in accommodating children with SEND in the regular school. Among the main issues to be examined are: the needs of children with SEND, policies and practice for mainstreaming/inclusion, benefits and challenges and methods of accommodation for effective learning in inclusive settings.
The practicum helps the student to actualize theory with practice. The student identifies and assesses a child with special educational needs. The student will be able to assess, design and implement an individualized education plan (IEP) for the child. The student will also be expected to work for two semesters with teachers, parents and the community in meeting the needs of the child.
This course is designed to equip students with an in-depth knowledge in visual impairment, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, hearing impairment, behavioural disorders, communication disorders, and autism. Students will discuss and make critical analyses of the history, definitions types, theories, characteristic and the aetiology. A critical evaluation of case examples will also be focused upon. The students will also have the opportunity to discuss the various educational intervention strategies and methodologies.
In this course, the student will critically examine issues related to special education assessment policies, the selection of appropriate assessment instruments (e.g. the use of formal and informal assessment techniques), the role of the multi-disciplinary team, and parental involvement. More emphasis will be placed on assessment procedures in Ghana. At the end of the course, the student should be able to adopt appropriate assessment procedures that meet the needs of the child.
The course examines the basic education school curriculum in Ghana. Students discuss the curriculum and its appropriateness in the education of children with special needs. Discussion will also focus on the principles of curriculum adaptation, modification and differentiation for children with special needs. Using Applied Behaviour Analysis techniques the students will be engaged to develop a curriculum for children in special and inclusive education.