2008-2009 - Grand Valley State University

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Program Spotlight Program Spotlight CI Program Reinvented Online In early 2000 the College of Education (COE) faced declining enrollment in its special education cognitive impairment (CI) program. At the same time, Michigan’s public schools faced a COE special education department that revealed licensed, employed teachers were very interested in earning an additional CI endorsement, but the twin issues of travel time and cost often prohibited their return to a college campus. In response to these findings, the COE graduate CI program was extensively revised to meet the needs of distance learners, as well as those located near campus. As a result, the COE now offers six of the core CI endorsement courses online. Since implementing these curricular revisions in 2007, program enrollment has substantially increased. Under the leadership of Amy Schelling, visiting COE assistant professor and CI program coordinator, teachers have the opportunity to take two different CI endorsement courses online per semester. In addition, candidates must complete a 180-hour CI classroom practicum teaching experience, which is offered every semester. Candidates wishing to complete a practicum experience during the summer semester are placed in classrooms through various intermediate school district-based programs. Teachers seeking a single CI endorsement can now earn that within a year. “The COE developed an innovative high-quality endorsement program based specifically on the needs of the student population,” says Schelling. “We were looking for a way to revive the program and now every course is filled every semester.” 22 There continue to be employment opportunities in CI in both K-12 settings and in county-wide special education centers, usually located within an intermediate school district. • There are 25,000 students with CI in K-12 Michigan classrooms. • CI students exhibit adaptive behavior deficits. • CI students have belowaverage learning skills. The online learning environment for each course is supported by GVSU’s Blackboard system. It provides the Web-based structure in which course content is developed and delivered. Instructors and students interact with one another through various forms of communication that include e-mail, discussion boards, wikis and Skype. Although an online course changes the nature of how students interact with one another, it doesn’t change the fact that they do interact. This was a critical consideration in how the course was developed and assignments structured. Amy Schelling works hard to ensure that students are able to make connections between course lessons and real classroom situations. “Applying what my students are learning in the online course to the classroom is critical,” she says, “and in an online setting I have to be creative in how I structure my checks for student understanding. Many assignments require the teacher to complete the assignment with children in a CI classroom setting, and they are structured to reflect what the teacher is learning online. That is the best indicator of their understanding.” • CI students’ cognitive impairment may be considered mild, moderate or severe; they’re educated in a range of settings from general education to special education center-based classroom settings.
CI Online Courses In addition to the online experience, Schelling or Vicki Kamps, COE elementary affiliate instructor in the Traverse City Center, visit each student practicum classroom or field site at least five times per semester. This cutting-edge program has found wide acceptance in the northern Michigan area and in outlying rural areas. Currently the 70+ enrolled students are located from the Traverse City area to southwest Michigan; two are in Detroit. Most teachers enrolled in the CI endorsement program have reported that it is their first experience with an online class. Since everyone has to participate and interact with one another on the discussion boards, they are especially enthusiastic about how much they learn through their discussions with other teachers. “We are very proud of what we can offer to students who aren’t in our immediate campus area,” says Schelling. “We’ll continue to change our programs to meet the needs of distant classroom teachers.” EDS 618 Studies in Cognitive Impairment EDS 619 Programs for Mild Cognitive Impairment EDS 620 Programs for Severe Cognitive Impairment EDS 621 Assistive Technology in Education EDS 622 Assessment Procedures for Placement & Program: CI EDS 623 Collaboration in Special Education At least once every other week, students take what they’ve learned and apply it to a classroom situation. What CI Online Students Say... Program Spotlight This program enables people who are passionate about CI students to earn an endorsement in that area while working full time. In addition to the great flexibility this program provides, the professors are outstanding and always willing to help. Molly VandeWege, Watervliet, MI I don’t know how I could have completed my CI endorsement without the online format. As a mother of two and a fulltime teacher, I really appreciated the flexibility of logging on and completing my work when it was convenient for me. When I moved and lived a two-hour drive from <strong>Grand</strong> Rapids, I was able to complete my work without wasting time driving. As an adult learner, I also find the online format a great method for learning. When other classmates posted innovative ideas, I could just copy and paste them into a document and save it for future use. Janet Mort, Marion, MI I’d like to say that I have enjoyed all the readings that were selected for us to study. I’ve learned many new techniques on how to teach CI students. The program has been very convenient since the majority of the classes are online. In today's world that is very helpful for those who want to better their careers, upgrade certifications or just learn a new skill. The professors are very helpful and ready to assist in any way. I’m very glad I had the opportunity to study at GVSU and learn innovative ways to teach CI students. Kari Burch, Niles, MI 23
Page 1 and 2: College of Education Annual Report
Page 3 and 4: A Year in Review: 2008-2009 COE Mis
Page 5 and 6: Grand Valley State University Outst
Page 7 and 8: Life Long Educator and Her Story Pr
Page 9 and 10: most resilient women I have ever kn
Page 11 and 12: Faculty Honors and Degrees Roger M.
Page 13 and 14: Graduate Teacher Certification (GTC
Page 15 and 16: COE Scholarship Winners Helping Stu
Page 17 and 18: Faculty Presentations National and
Page 19 and 20: Melin, J. (2008 October, November D
Page 21 and 22: COE Service - Faculty and Staff COE
Page 23: Administrative Professional Staff (
Page 27 and 28: GTC Teachers Stay Connected While D
Page 29 and 30: Above: Target Inquiry students expl
Page 31 and 32: COE Launches Future Teacher Scholar
Page 33 and 34: Convocation Above (left to right):
Page 35 and 36: Convocation Above (left to right):
Page 37 and 38: A Grand Goodbye Caryn King “When
Page 39 and 40: College of Education: A New Look Af
Page 41 and 42: Academic and Service Department Sup
Page 43 and 44: T. Kruithoff B. LaBeau P. Lancaster

2008-2009 - Grand Valley State University

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