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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Ramapo for Children | Evaluated Learning Experience

Field Experience in Special Education (SPE 350)

[Formerly Field Experience in Special Education (SPE 300)]
Length: 

Versions 1, 2, and 3: Minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience (10 weeks) in a residential summer program for children with special needs. In addition, 50 hours (6 days) of initial classroom orientation, lectures, and workshops,10 one-hour weekly seminars with course instructors, and 10 one-hour weekly consultations with supervisors in the field.

Location: 
Ramapo for Children, Rhinebeck, NY.
Dates: 

Version 1: June 2000 - February 2011. Version 2: March 2011 - April 2016. Version 3: May 2016 - Present.

Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: establish relationships with children; promote positive social behaviors; plan, implement, and evaluate educational and recreational experiences for children; motivate children and use appropriate resources to facilitate learning; observe and record children's behavior; relate to and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers; describe principles of child growth and development; identify educational resources, methods, and materials; engage in constructive self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses in relation to working with children. Version 2 and 3: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: establish relationships with children; promote positive social behaviors; plan, implement, and evaluate educational and recreational experiences for children; motivate children and use appropriate resources to facilitate learning; observe and record children's behavior using daily journal entries; relate to and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers; describe principles of child growth and development; identify educational resources, methods, and materials; engage in constructive self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses in relation to working with children.

Instruction: 

Versions 1, 2, and 3: Students work directly with children on learning-centered activities for a minimum of five hours each day and spend a minimum of one hour in daily preparation. Students maintain a daily dialogue journal that includes descriptions of children, observations and recording of children's behavior and educational progress, recording of teaching experiences in the educational program, questions and concerns about their work, and personal reflections on the nature and meaning of the educational experience. Students read and respond to (in writing and group discussions) selected materials drawn from professional literature. Topics include praise and encouragement; preventive discipline, using reading materials with special needs children; conflict management; promoting resiliency; the development of pro-social skills; project-based learning; group decision-making; and understanding learning disabilities. Initial camp counselor training is an intensive six-day experience that helps prepare staff to work with children with emotional, learning, and behavior challenges in a dynamic, outdoor environment. Other topics include: team building, safety and health issues, communication, diversity, behavior management, experiential learning through recreational activities, educating children with learning and emotional challenges, physical and emotional abuse, and dealing with children's developing sexuality.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Special Education or Therapeutic Recreation or 6 semester hours in Camp Counseling, Outdoor Recreation, Group Dynamics or 6 semester hours as an elective in Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or Educational Psychology or 6 semester hours as Community Service or 6 semester hours as a general elective (1/01) (4/06 revalidation). Version 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 9 semester hours in Special Education or Therapeutic Recreation, Camp Counseling, Outdoor Recreation, Group Dynamics or as an elective in Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or Educational Psychology; or 9 semester hours as Community Service or general elective (3/11 revalidation).Version 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Special Education or Therapeutic Recreation, Camp Counseling, Outdoor Recreation, Group Dynamics or as an elective in Education, Physical Education, Recreation, or Educational Psychology; or 6 semester hours as Community Service or general elective (5/16 revalidation) (6/21 revalidation). 

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