Contents
- 1 What is Special Education?
- 2 What Is the Role of a Teacher in Special Education?
- 3 How to Work with the Students with Special Needs?
- 4 Specialized Teaching Methodologies for Students with Special Needs
- 5 Requirements for Special Education Certification
- 6 Where Can Teachers Get Special Education Certification?
- 7 Legacy Online School for Students with Special Needs
- 8 Conclusion
A study by Tengis Verulava and his colleagues assessed how students with special needs managed in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research identified several problems faced by students and teachers. This study highlights the importance of teachers having relevant knowledge to support students who require special education.
Special education training consists of programs helping teachers keep their skills and knowledge up to date to support students with special needs. We will discuss in more detail the role of teachers in online education for students with special needs.
What is Special Education?
Special education is a specialized direction in education. Special education was created to help students with disabilities. The goal of this type of education is to develop an environment where students learn without any problems. This environment includes the right place for learning and lessons conducted by specially trained teachers. Teachers undergo special training to acquire the skills and methods needed to help students with disabilities.
What Is the Role of a Teacher in Special Education?
Teachers are an important link through which students with special needs find their path and receive an education. Teachers work closely with parents to understand the unique characteristics of the child and select the appropriate learning format. They pay close attention to this, as parents know even the smallest details about their children affecting their ability to focus and acquire new knowledge. Teachers use this knowledge, offer advice to parents, and help create a learning plan for the child working in class and at home.
Teachers familiarize themselves with new technologies, such as assistive technology like text-to-speech tools, and help students use them when needed. Teachers practice new strategies and methodologies consistently to support their students. Teachers acquire a wide range of knowledge, as different disabilities require different approaches.
How to Work with the Students with Special Needs?
We will explore five groups of disabilities and what teachers take into account when working with them.
Learning Disabilities
Students with learning disabilities face various challenges in their education. These students struggle with acquiring new knowledge and processing information. A literary work an average student can understand easily becomes an overwhelming task for a student with learning disabilities. Understanding other subjects brings additional challenges.
Teachers use various methodologies to help students overcome these learning challenges.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Students with ADHD have problems with focus, impulsivity, and staying organized. These students are active and restless. Switching between tasks and reluctance to engage in routine activities are common challenges for such students. These challenges result in their inability to finish reading or solve a math problem if they don’t get the solution right away.
Teachers structure their lessons to include clear instructions and frequent breaks for students. Teachers provide tools like checklists or timers to help students stay on track.
Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual disabilities affect a student’s cognitive functioning. Changes in cognitive functioning lead to students having more difficulty understanding certain concepts. Problems often arise with abstract concepts, particularly those found in geometry. These students require more time and a customized curriculum to help them overcome these challenges.
Teachers focus on repetitive learning, using simplified language, and incorporating different activities for students. Teachers collaborate closely with parents to find a way for students to overcome their challenges.
Behavioral Disorders
Behavioral disorders lead to difficulties with behavior. The behavior of students with such issues can be disruptive to others and prevent them from learning effectively. These students may start yelling in class when they should be listening to a lecture, and even teacher intervention doesn’t always succeed in correcting their behavior.
Teachers implement behavior management strategies helping structure students’ behavior. Teachers, counselors, and parents work together to help students understand themselves, manage their emotions, and learn self-control.
Physical Disabilities and Sensory Impairments
Physical disabilities and sensory impairments are broad categories of challenges limiting mobility and vision of students. These students struggle to participate in active sports and find it harder to process visual information.
Teachers provide them with assistive devices. These devices include screen readers or hearing aids. Teachers adjust seating arrangements or classroom setups to accommodate mobility challenges. Teachers use multisensory teaching methods to ensure students can access the curriculum regardless of their impairments.
Specialized Teaching Methodologies for Students with Special Needs
A majority of teachers (58%) say they have to address behavioral issues in their classroom every day. About three-in-ten teachers (28%) say they have to help students with mental health challenges daily, according to Pew Research Center. Teachers need to understand and apply methods supporting students with special needs. We will look at five such methods.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Teachers use UDL by presenting information in various formats. These formats include text, audio, and visual aids. Every student has a different way of processing information. Some students absorb text materials better, while others prefer audio content. Teachers balance different formats and consider students’ unique needs to structure lessons in a way improving their understanding and retention.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Teachers use ABA as a tool for analysis. This methodology helps them identify behavioral issues in students early on and apply frameworks correcting behavior. Such frameworks include positive reinforcement models and addressing negative behavior. Teachers guide students in finding the right motivation to follow socially accepted behavior.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Teachers use these instructions to break learning into stages. These stages help students absorb information effectively. Teachers support students actively, but with each new stage, the support gradually decreases. This approach helps students develop the skills to handle tasks independently.
Simple Instructions
Teachers take into account students with special needs find it harder to understand material. Teachers use the simplest, most straightforward instructions possible. They provide illustrations or alternative forms of support to help students better understand the content when necessary.
Functional Communication Training (FCT)
FCT helps students resolve their communication challenges. Teachers use this methodology to offer students alternative ways to communicate. Alternatives include specific phrases, hand signals, and more. Teachers guide students in finding the method working best for them and gradually improve their communication with others.
Requirements for Special Education Certification
Teachers who wish to obtain certification in special education meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field
- Completed teacher training program for working with special needs students
- Successfully passed state certification exams
Many states require teachers to update their qualifications periodically through courses or workshops focusing on new methods and technologies in special education.
Where Can Teachers Get Special Education Certification?
Various institutions help teachers obtain the required certification. Here are three categories of such institutions:
- State universities, colleges, and specialized teaching schools
- Specialized institutions like teacher training colleges
- Educational agencies and nonprofit organizations
Each of these options offers various certification formats for teachers. These formats include online, in-person, or hybrid learning. Every teacher can select the option suiting them best with this variety of formats.
Legacy Online School for Students with Special Needs
Legacy Online School has certified, skilled teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Many of these teachers have over 5 years of teaching experience, and some even more than 20 years. Our teachers have undergone the necessary training to help students with special needs achieve their goals and receive a quality education.
Learn more about how Legacy Online School supports special needs students here.
Conclusion
Special education helps students with special needs find a learning method enabling them to progress. We discussed the role of a teacher in students’ lives and explored the methods teachers use in their lessons. Legacy Online School teachers are trained to work with students with special needs and are ready to help every child.
