THE PERCEPTIVE & COGNITIVE TEACHER
A Foundation Course in Specific Learning Disorder
(Level 1 of the Three-Level Dyslexia Training Programme)
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Maharashtra Dyslexia Association (MDA) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to building an integrated support system for individuals with Specific Learning Disorder (Dyslexia), and equipping teachers with the necessary skills and opportunities required to help such individuals lead successful and fulfilling lives. It provides consultation, assessment and remedial services for students and their families, as well as training opportunities for teachers, special educators and therapists who are interested in acquiring the skills needed to work with affected students.
In pursuit of this goal, we are happy to introduce a THREE-LEVEL DYSLEXIA TRAINING PROGRAMME, the first of its kind in India. Our trainees become specialists in teaching the structure of the written English language and in utilizing intensive multisensory therapy techniques designed for students with reading, writing, and/or spelling disorder.
On successful completion of the Dyslexia Teaching/Therapy Level, candidates will be eligible to appear for the examinations conducted by the Academic Language Therapy Association and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), an affiliate of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), for Certification.
The Three Levels of The Dyslexia Training Programme are:
- THE PERCEPTIVE & COGNITIVE TEACHER (A Foundation Course in Specific Learning Disorder)
- CERTIFICATION IN DYSLEXIA TEACHING
- CERTIFICATION IN DYSLEXIA THERAPY
THE PERCEPTIVE & COGNITIVE TEACHER
A Foundation Course in Specific Learning Disorder
Keeping in mind the current challenges the world-over, MDA is proud to introduce a completely modular ONLINE Foundation Course that is built on a one-of-a kind digital experience. The Foundation Course comprises of Six Modules. Those who are interested in pursuing the Dyslexia Teaching/Therapy Programme must successfully complete all Six Modules of the Foundation Course to be eligible.
The SIX Modules of The Perceptive & Cognitive Teacher are:
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To know more about individual modules, SCROLL DOWN.
Learning Circle 1: Dyslexia: Screening and Identification
Topics:
- Dyslexia and Other Learning Disorders
- Understanding Facts Vs Myths
- Academic and Non-Academic Indicators of Dyslexia
- Importance of Early Identification and Intervention
- RPWD Act 2016 & Accommodations in High Stakes Examinations
- Analysing Case Studies
Key Learning Outcomes:
After attending this Module, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between Dyslexia and associated Learning Disorders.
- Identify students with learning difficulties in the classroom and around them.
- Understand the kind of accommodations required and granted for various learning issues
- Build awareness and empathy around them, and acceptance in the struggling students.
- Analyze specific cases and illustrate the understanding of the difficulties and the needs of the students.
Learning Circle 2: Dyslexia: Classroom Strategies
Topics:
- Classroom Support and Scaffolding Strategies
- Classroom Management Strategies
- Teaching Strategies
- Learning Strategies
- Case Studies
Key Learning Outcomes:
After attending this Module, participants will be able to:
- Build awareness and empathy around them, and acceptance in the struggling students.
- Provide adequate classroom scaffolding and directives to Students with SLD
- Use Classroom Management Strategies effectively
- Analyze specific cases and illustrate how they will help and support these students in the classroom.
Learning Circle 3: Psycho-Educational Reports: Interpretation to Action
Topics:
- Screening Tools and Assessment Batteries: Are they the same?
- Basics of Evaluation/Testing
- An Overview of the Key Features and Functions of a Psycho-Educational Report
- Assessment Areas
- Analysis of Case Studies to identify the needs of the students for assessment
- Diagnostic Tests
- Scores & Percentile Ranks — What they mean
- Diagnosis of Specific Learning Disorder in the light of DSM 5
- Rationale for Accommodations
- Analysis of Case Studies for Diagnosis and Accommodations
Key Learning Outcomes:
After attending this Module, participants will be able to:
- State the differences between Screening Tools and Assessment Batteries
- List the features and functions of Screening Tools and Assessment Batteries
- Identify key areas to be assessed for the diagnosis of SLD according to the DSM 5
- Explain the rationale behind the diagnosis and the accommodations requested
Learning Circle 4: Smart Learning — Independent Learners
Topics:
- Introduction to Study Skills. Why are Study Skills Techniques Required?
- S.M.A.R.T. Goals
- Techniques to Enhance Concentration
- Learning Effective Note Taking Skills
- Mnemonics
- Importance of Background Knowledge in Reading — Introduction to KWL
- SQ3R — Reading Strategy
- Mind Maps — Why and How
- Graphic Organizers
- Paraphrasing, Summarizing and Concluding
Key Learning Outcomes:
After attending this Module, participants will be able to:
- Plan and set goals for effective and efficient studying
- Apply concentration techniques for maintaining focus on the goals
- Demonstrate the effectiveness of strategies learnt
- Organize information from a given text using a Graphic Organizer, and use it to write descriptive answers
- Summarize and Conclude from a given text
Learning Circle 5: Multisensory Intervention & Making Sounds Meaningful
Topics:
- Remedial Education and Curriculum-Based Intervention: Their Purpose & How They Differ
- Multisensory Structured Intervention: What Is Taught & How It Is Taught
- Importance of Reading and Reading Instruction
- Five Components of Reading
- Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
- The 44Phonemes
- Phonics
- Lesson Planning
Key Learning Outcomes:
After attending this Module, participants will be able to:
- Compare and contrast evidence-based and curriculum-based programmes
- Gain an insight into the importance of multisensory structured intervention
- Explain the need to develop phonological, phonemic and phonics skills
- Demonstrate various activities through which these skills can be developed in all students including those with learning differences, from Nursery to Grade 4
Learning Circle 6: Unravelling the Mystery Behind the Way Words are Spelt
Topics:
- Three-Cueing System or Phonics Instruction — Which path to take?
- Orton-Gillingham Methodology
- Six Syllable Types
- Decoding — making sense of the written words
- Rules and Patterns that aid reading
- The Importance of Spelling Instruction
- Encoding — using the right symbols for the sounds
- Spelling Rules and Patterns to the rescue
- Importance of Spelling Curriculum in Primary School
- Designing a Spelling Curriculum
Key Learning Outcomes:
After attending this Module, participants will be able to:
- List the Six Syllable Types
- Explain why words are spelt the way they are spelt
- Demonstrate why English is not a funny or unpredictable language as widely believed
- Analyse words on the basis of reading and spelling rules and patterns
EXAMINATION & CERTIFICATION
Participants will receive a participation certificate for each module subject to full attendance for the Synchronous Sessions and completion of all assignments.
Participants will appear for an Examination in May 2021 for Certificate of Successful Completion of the Foundation Course.
This certificate, along with a Bachelor’s degree, will qualify the participants for the Dyslexia Teaching Programme.
CERTIFICATION IN DYSLEXIA TEACHING
In collaboration with Ms Sandra Dillon, author of Sounds In Syllables Dyslexia Therapy, and Qualified Instructor with the Multisensory Language Training Institute of New Mexico.
Trainees are required to complete minimum 200 hours of hands-on teaching to qualify for certification. Training for this certification will be conducted at MDA’s Dadar East Centre.
On successful completion of the Dyslexia Teaching Level, candidates will be eligible to appear for the examinations conducted by the Academic Language Therapy Association for Certification as Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP), and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), an affiliate of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), for Certification as Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist (SLDI).
CERTIFICATION IN DYSLEXIA THERAPY
In collaboration with Ms Sandra Dillon, author of Sounds in Syllables Dyslexia Therapy, and Qualified Instructor with the Multisensory Language Training Institute of New Mexico.
Trainees are required to complete minimum 700 hours of hands-on teaching to qualify for certification. Training for this certification will be conducted at MDA’s Dadar East Centre.
On successful completion of the Dyslexia Therapy Level, candidates with a Master’s Degree will be eligible to appear for the examinations conducted by the Academic Language Therapy Association for Certification as Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), an affiliate of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), for Certification as Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist (SLDS).
How does this work?
MDA has developed uniquely participatory digital learning experiences termed ‘Learning Circles’ for its Foundation Course. These enable facilitation of teacher training through an innovative, collaborative and digitally-blended training medium that is gaining momentum the world over.
Synchronous Sessions (2 hours each) will see experts from MDA and participants logging in and interacting together. Unlike conventional trainers, experts from MDA will play the role of facilitators who take each participant down a path to help resolve their teaching challenges. Attendance is compulsory.
Asynchronous Sessions will entail participants logging in to the platform at their own convenience to access reading material, independently engage in discussions with peers, post queries for our experts to answer, share research on topics, analyse case studies, and complete quizzes, polls and surveys.
In this sense, the Learning Circle (LC) as a medium is a departure from the classic Webinar or online workshop format. It ensures effective two-way communication, peer learning and discussions, and resolving of specific problems with sustained guidance.
What is the Duration of this LC?
This LC is spread over a period of 5months with specified times for the Synchronous Sessions interspersed with Asynchronous Sessions that can be completed at the convenience of the participants.
Who are the experts from MDA?
This one-of-a-kind Foundation Course is designed by the CEO of MDA, Ms Masarrat Khan, who is also one of the key facilitators.
Ms. Khan has an invaluable experience of more than three decades in the area of Learning Disabilities. She holds Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and English Literature from Mumbai University, and is a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist and Certified Academic Language Therapist.
Our other facilitators are
Ms Diya Basu, Senior Psychologist at MDA, with more than a decade of experience. She conducts assessments, trains interns, and supervises junior psychologists. She also conducts workshops on various topics related to the field.
Ms. Manek Chitalwala, Special Educator, Dyslexia Therapist and Certified Academic Language Therapist. She has been teaching students with special educational needs at MDA since 2003 and is a teacher-trainer.
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