Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Instructor Name: Dr. Mary Barczak
Department: Educational Psychology
Email: mary.barczak@ou.edu
Office Hours: 🚩🚩 day/time (Central) 🚩🚩
Zoom link: 🚩
Meeting ID:🚩
Password: 🚩
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Admission to the Special Education graduate program or Special Education Bootcamp
Course Materials
Required Reading
Hallahan, D. P., Kauffman, J. M., & Pullen, P. C. (2019). Exceptional learners: An introduction to special education (14th
ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. **Please note the edition
American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th edition).
**Not required to purchase, will discuss APA format in class.
Additional readings will be posted to Canvas to supplement class activities, discussion board topics, or guest speaker
topics. Students are expected to read these articles in addition to the required text.
Students can find more information on required texts and other resources in the RESOURCES: Course Materials page and at the beginning of each module in the introduction.
Other Required Materials:
1. Device capable of high-quality video recording and means to fix device to optimal position
(e.g., smartphone with tripod, laptop, camcorder with tripod, tablet with stand, etc.)
2. School supplies for conducting lessons (e.g., notecards, markers, highlighters)
Grades
Scale
A = 90-100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = <59%
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Modules | The class content is broken into 20 modules. Modules include required readings, knowledge checks, application activities, and discussion board posts. Students receive full points for the module by completing each module task. Modules for each week open on Monday at 7am and close on Sunday at 10pm. (10 pts each) | 200 |
| Reading Checks | For each required reading, students will complete a reading check consisting of 5 multiple choice questions. (2.5 pts each) | 90 |
| Classroom Management Plan | Students will complete a classroom management plan that details the baseline plan for behavior management in the classroom. More details can be found in the assignment tab. | 10 |
| Reading Microteaching | Students will complete two (2) microteaching lessons in reading. More details can be found in the assignment tab. (30 pts each) | 60 |
| IEP Project | Students will work in groups to complete an IEP based on a case study provided by the instructor. More details can be found in the assignment tab. | 80 |
| Final Exam | Students will complete a final exam covering all content from the course. Questions will be in multiple choice and short answer formats. | 50 |
| Total | 500 |
Course Policies
Attendance and Participation
This course is offered asynchronously. There will be no mandatory class meetings. Instead, the course is designed so that students can work through the course material semi-independently. All readings and knowledge checks can be worked on at the student's own pace during the week (Monday-Sunday). Assignments/activities must be completed by Sunday for each module, unless otherwise specified. Some activities will include a discussion board comment (see rules for discussion boards below).
Students will have the option of attending office hours. Office hours will be offered three (3) times per week in 2 hour segments. The times will be determined at the beginning of the course to best fit the schedule of most students. If students are not able to meet for office hours, they can reach out to the instructor to schedule individual meetings. During office hours, students can ask questions about class content and/or upcoming assignments and receive feedback on assignments from the instructor. Students are invite to attend the entire office hours session or to enter as needed for individual help.
While expectations are high regarding written work and your participation, I am quite willing to answer any and all questions you might have about an assignment and to work with you in developing your ideas. The primary goal is that you think about these issues and leave the course with knowledge and skills you can apply in your future roles as service providers. Never hesitate to ask a question.
Grading
As much of the class is self-paced, scheduling a specific time for grading can be difficult. Students should expect to receive grades back on individual assignments within 48 hours of submission, unless informed otherwise by the instructor. Points for module completion will be added Monday of each week for the previous week. If students have any questions about when their work will be graded, they can contact the instructor via email (mary.barczak@ou.edu) or through Canvas messenger.
Make-up Work & Late Assignments
In the case of a documented emergency, a missed assignment can be made up. Students should contact the instructor as soon as possible to reschedule missed assignments.
Assignments should be handed in via Canvas by the day/time they are due in the format requested. They should be typed, completed following APA standards, and should follow the rubric/format prescribed for that assignment. Points will be deducted from late assignments. For every day that an assignment is late, five percent of the final grade will be deduced up to 50% of the total points of the assignment. In emergency situations, extensions can be given for assignments at the discretion of the instructor. Please do not ask AFTER a due date has passed for an extension. All extensions on assignments must be pre-arranged BEFORE the due date.
Incomplete Grades
Incompletes will be given at the instructor’s discretion only in serious circumstances, and not because a student could not finish the work required in this course. In general, the following guidelines will be followed (a) a passing grade must be earned at the time the request is made; (b) the student must make the request before the last day of class; and (c) the instructor and student establish a contract governing the completion of the course
Assignment Formatting
Research evidence shows that performance feedback improves teacher performance. In order to give you the best and most immediate feedback, it is important that you format all assignments to meet written formatting guidelines so that the instructor can efficiently evaluate your work. Assignments that do not meet formatting guidelines will be returned ungraded, and subsequent revisions will be counted as late assignments. If students would like to request a change in assignment formatting, they can do so by contacting the instructor using one of the methods provided below.
Communicating with the Instructor about Assignments
Although I have designed rubrics to clarify expectations for all assignments, it is natural that students will have questions. Therefore, I have designated multiple opportunities for students to ask these kinds of questions. First, I will review the rubric(s) for any upcoming assignment(s) during office hours. Students are strongly encouraged to ask questions at this time. Second, students schedule individual meetings with me to review assignments and receive feedback if they are unable to attend office hours. Third, students can use the DISCUSSION: Course Help Board to ask questions about assignment due dates, requirements, or formatting. Students who would like feedback on assignments can also use the DISCUSSION: Assignment Feedback Board to receive peer and instructor feedback in answer to their questions. I check these discussion boards twice daily (9am and 8pm) as a minimum, but it is possible that a classmate may be able to respond quicker.
I will not answer questions about assignment requirements or due dates via email; these questions will only be answered via the discussion board. I do this so that all students may benefit from the information being provided and to limit the number of individual emails students send. Please remember to check previous posts before asking questions about an assignment on the discussion board-- one of your classmates may have already provided the information you need. If students do ask questions about assignments via email, I will simply reply with an email reminding the student of this policy.
Discussion Board Policy
Each module will include a discussion board post that addresses the topic of the module. Each discussion will be posted on an individual Canvas Discussion Board. Students should complete two posts. The first (primary) post will be each student’s individual response to at least one of the discussion questions. Primary posts must be at least 200 words in length. The second (secondary) post will be a substantive (not merely complimentary) comment on one other student’s primary post. Secondary posts must be at least 100 words in length. Responses to your peers should include a substantive comment. For example, you could:
- Ask for more details to clarify the original post.
- Contrast your peer's opinion with your own.
- Provide additional materials that support your peer's post.
- Include examples of how you might use your peer's insights in your own classroom.
For both primary and secondary posts, students are encouraged to include evidence from class readings, outside materials (please provide a link for others to see the material being referred to), and/or personal experience to support their response to the discussion question.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalogue.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|