This document provides an overview of approaches to special education including early detection and intervention, modifying instructional methods and curriculum, assistive technologies, and creating supportive learning environments. It discusses the roles of special education instructors in addressing a wide range of disabilities, with the majority of students having mild to moderate disabilities. It also outlines strategies for individualizing learning through the use of multiple formats and media, practice opportunities, and varied activities.

2. OVERVIEW
0 Early detection & intervention
0 Addressing Learning Needs
0 Using Unique Instructional Methods
0 Modifying General Education Curriculum
0 Specialized Training
0 Instructional Practices
0 Assistive Technologies
0 Additional Approaches & Resources

3. SPECIAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTORS
0 Roles of the Instructor
0 Wide Range of Disabilities
0 Majority Students Mild to Moderate Disabilities
0 Creating Supportive Learning Environments
0 Disabilities Act
0 Definition of IEP
0 75% of students spend the majority of their school
day in general education classrooms (Boyer &
Mainzer, 2003)

4. NETWORKS
0 Neural Networks
0 Recognition Networks
0 Strategic Networks
0 Affective Networks

5. UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR
LEARNING GAME PLAN
0 UDL suggests teachers can remove barriers to
learning by providing flexibility in terms of options for
materials, methods, assessments (Rose & Meyer,
2002).
0 Set Learning Goals
0 Take Action
0 Monitoring
0 Evaluating and Extending

6. INDIVIDUALING LEARNING
0 Using multiple media and formats
0 Providing students with choices
0 Demonstrating concepts and skills
0 Providing multiple examples
0 Providing opportunities to practice skills
0 Including varied levels activities
0 Types of Networks

7. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
0 Also described in IDEA, is an Assistive Technology
Service. This is defined as "...any service that directly
assists an individual with a disability in the selection,
acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device"
(IDEA 300.6). Studies have shown that assistive
technology can significantly improve the educational,
vocational, and social performance of individuals with
disabilities.
0 Individual Educational Plan (IEP)

8. INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES
0 Computer Adaptations
0 Hearing Technologies
0 Writing Assistance
0 Creating Wikis
0 Monitoring and Evaluating

9. WEB BASED TOOLS
0 Types of Digital Media
0 Approaches Based on UDL
0 Web-based Textbooks
0 Class Wikis
0 Supplemental Software
0 Embedded Hyperlinks
0 Concept Mapping Software

10. NON WEB-BASED
APPROACHES
0 Handouts
0 Workshops
0 Tutorials
0 Specialized Tools
0 Listening Devices