Professional Development
Current Courses
Induction Course for Teachers of Pupils with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disabilities 2024/25
The School of Inclusive and Special Education, DCU Institute of Education, will deliver an in-service induction course designed for teachers of pupils with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities at the request of the Department of Education (DE).
Course Aims
To increase teachers’ confidence and competence in appropriate and effective assessment, planning and teaching for learners with severe to profound intellectual disabilities (SPID). To build on knowledge and experience through a collaborative approach to professional development, in order to enact effective and inclusive practice.
Structure of Course
Part 1: 7th - 11th April 2025 (3 days on campus and 2 days online)
Part 2: 7th - 8th May 2025 (2 days on campus)
Part 3: Week beginning 28th April 2025 - One day of observation in another severe/profound setting
The Teacher Section of the Department of Education (DE) has agreed to fund:
- A substitute teacher in place of each teacher attending the seven days of the course and for the one day observation - totalling 8 days
Substitute cover is allowed depending on approval of Boards of Management.
Eligibility
Teachers with a current teaching role with learners with a severe to profound intellectual disability (who have not previously attended) are eligible to apply once they can attend on dates outlined both online and on campus.
Learning Outcomes
- To demonstrate an understanding of severe to profound general learning disabilities, co-occurring conditions and disabilities and implications for educational support at different levels (pupils, teacher, class and school community)
- To identify and discuss appropriate assessment, to inform planning for learning in areas of cognition, communication and language and personal and social development.
- To demonstrate skills in collaborative development of pupil profiles, including the identification of priority areas of pupil strength and areas for development as well as skills for setting, reviewing and monitoring of targets in individual student support plans
- To identify, discuss and share appropriate, evidence based teaching methodologies, strategies and resources.
- To foster an understanding of person centered approaches to supporting the learner through pupil voice, wellbeing and collaboration amongst staff.
- To effectively use current guidelines on best practice e.g. Autism Good Practice Guidelines, SET Guidelines to inform profiling and planning for students.
Closing Date for Applications: Closing Date for applications: Friday February 14th 2025, 5pm
Further Enquiries
email: ioe.ise@dcu.ie | phone: 01-8842042
Following on from the course I now focus on what the child can do instead of focusing on what he/she can’t do. From the sessions on the course I now know that the children in my class can make progress.