This module aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary to effectively teach children with special educational needs (SEN) in real-world classroom settings. Grounded in the principle of inclusive education, the module focuses on the practical application of evidence-informed teaching strategies to address the diverse learning, behavioural, and developmental needs of SEN students. Students will engage with authentic case studies, placement-based observations, and problem-solving tasks that reflect the complexity of teaching children with autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, sensory and physical needs, and social-emotional disabilities. They are encouraged to use digital tools and relevant AI/GenAI applications to analyse student data, compare theoretical frameworks, and develop research-based teaching interventions. Students will also learn to critically evaluate and modify AI-generated content to ensure pedagogical appropriateness and alignment with specific SEN contexts. The module emphasizes real-world problem-solving, enabling students to move beyond theoretical understanding to design, implement, and evaluate inclusive teaching practices that work in mainstream and alternative educational settings.
A. Design and justify evidence-informed pedagogical applications that address real practice-based challenges in teaching SEN students across mainstream and alternative educational settings. B. Critically evaluate and apply theoretical frameworks and research evidence to inform teaching decisions for SEN students in authentic classroom contexts. C. Lead the differentiation and implementation of inclusive teaching strategies, materials, and interventions to enhance learning outcomes for SEN students in response to real classroom complexities. D. Develop innovative, evidence-informed solutions to address unmet needs or systemic challenges in SEN teaching practice, demonstrating feasibility and adaptability in real-world settings.
This module employs a blended delivery format combining lectures and tutorials, centred on Research-Led Project-Based Learning (RLPBL). Through these sessions, students gain essential conceptual, theoretical, and methodological knowledge while engaging in collaborative and individual work, critical reflection, and iterative development of curriculum design projects. Students are encouraged to integrate digital tools and AI/GenAI applications into their learning process, for instance, using AI to generate evidence-informed teaching strategies, or refine intervention designs based on student feedback. They are also expected to critically evaluate and modify any AI-generated content to ensure pedagogical appropriateness and alignment with specific SEN classroom contexts. The module emphasizes authentic problem-solving, enabling students to move from theoretical understanding to the design, implementation, and evaluation of inclusive teaching practices through placement-based observations, case study analysis, and collaborative curriculum design tasks.