Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved
College College Social Sciences
School School of Education
Department Disab, Inclusion & Spec Needs
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title B.Phil. Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties Part-time.
Programme Code 8885
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 24 Months
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme This programme has been developed for the range of staff who work in educational settings with children and adults with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, such as teachers and lecturers, therapists, psychologists and support staff. It is primarily about the learning and development of children and adults with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, particularly in the areas of cognition and communication.

A central theme is multi-agency collaboration, and participants will be expected to develop and reflect on their collaborative work as part of the course. All assignments are grounded in reflective and evidence-based practice and are driven by the individual professional development needs of participants.

Our programme aims:

a) to enable participants to study critically, aspects of educating children and adults with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties that and consider the relevance to their own practice

b) to provide the support needed for participants to reflect on and improve their own theory and practice with children and adults with severe, profound and multple learning difficulties

c) to encourage participants to evaluate and develop their collaborative work across disciplines and agencies

d) to facilitate participants in developing evidence-based practice

The programme is run through blended learning (face-to-face and e-learning) and is suitable for people who live anywhere in the country. Year 1 students must attend the University for three 3-day study weekends a year whereas Year 2 students must attend the University for one 2-day study weekend.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
The complexity of needs of learners with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties (SLD/ PMLD) eg: biological and social barriers to learning; the effects of cognitive difficulties on learning
Assessment of those needs and planning for learning eg: using specific assessment and planning tools; applying the statutory procedure for identification of needs
Teaching and learning approaches suitable for learners with SLD/ PMLD eg: using and evaluating specific intervention such as Intensive Interaction; considering the effectiveness of various therapeutic approaches
Aspects of curriculum design and development for learners with SLD/ PMLD eg: reflecting on their own school’s/ college’s curriculum; writing learning programmes for specified learners
Supporting learning for learners with SLD/ PMLD (particularly related to collaborative teamwork) eg: evaluating their work with parents; developing their understanding of collaborative teamwork
1. Participants will identify the areas of need they wish to study and these will be supported through lectures, classroom discussion, online activities and problem-based learning.

2. Lectures, seminars, online activities, problem-based learning, practical application of chosen assessments and planning

3. Lectures, seminars, online activities, problem-based learning, practical application of chosen aspects of teaching learners with SLD/ PMLD

4. Lectures, seminars, online activities, problem-based learning, practical application of chosen aspects of curriculum design and development

5. Lectures, seminars, online activities, problem-based learning, practical application of chosen aspects of supporting learning
Written assignment demonstrating the links between theory and practice.
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Practical professional skills that relate to working with learners with SLD/ PMLD eg: observation, assessment, planning, teaching, curriculum development, working in teams. The exact skills depend on the needs of the individual participants
Methodical analysis of both literature and collected workplace data, showing that they can compare and contrast what they have read or found
Reflection and evaluation of their own practice using both published tools and those they have developed themselves. The intention is for participants to collect data before and after an innovation to show developments.
Writing academic assignments at an appropriate level (H) which will demonstrate participants’ thorough understanding and knowledge of their chosen topic; their ability to evaluate evidence and use logical arguments and provide support for these arguments in an structured fashion.
1. Participants will choose what aspects of their practice they wish to develop and these will be supported through classroom discussion, online activities, problem-based learning, self video

2. Classroom discussion, guided learning, enquiry-based learning, examining journals, collecting data in the workplace

3. Classroom discussion, video reflection, online activities and problem-based learning, self video

4. Classroom discussion, online activities, looking at previous students’ assignments, exercises in referencing sources
Written assignment which will be a portfolio of evidence or an essay reflecting on personal development