Neuroscience of special education

After completing the course, the student will understand

• the effects of individual brain functions on learning
• the neural basis of dyslexia and how to take it into account in planning teaching
• the neural basis of attention deficits and how to take it into account in planning teaching
• the neural basis of autism spectrum and how to take it into account in planning teaching
• learners’ visual and auditory deficits from the neuroscience point of view
• mental symptoms and illnesses, their effect on learning, and how to take them into account when planning teaching

Pakollinen kirjallisuus/ Obligatorisk litteratur/ Compulsory literature:

• Anders Hansen: The real happy pill TAI Anders Hansen: Hjärnstark TAI Anders Hansen: Aivovoimaa

Lisäksi yksi seuraavista/ Ytterligare en av följande/ Additionally one of the following:

• Petri Paavilainen: Toimivat aivot, luvut Tarkkaavaisuus ja Oppiminen ja muisti
• Minna Huotilainen ja Mona Moisala: Keskittymiskyvyn elvytysopas, Sivut 13-46 ja 59-78 (tarkkaavaisuus)
• Synnöve Carlson ja Riitta Hari: Aivoaakkoset, luku 8 (lukivaikeus)
• Minna Huotilainen ja Leeni Peltonen: Tunne aivosi, sivut 13-52 (lukivaikeus) ja 83-128 (tarkkaavaisuustaidot)
• Erickson, K. I., Hillman, C. H., & Kramer, A. F. (2015). Physical activity, brain, and cognition. Current opinion in behavioral sciences, 4, 27-32.
• Widmann, A., Schröger, E., Tervaniemi, M., Pakarinen, S., & Kujala, T. (2012). Mapping symbols to sounds: electrophysiological correlates of the impaired reading process in dyslexia. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 60.
• Or one of the journal articles given by the teacher

Completion methods

Lecture course. Reaching the learning goals requires knowing the content of the lectures. It is required to take part in teaching, one group task, mini-exams, and a final individual assignment.

Assessment

The assessment is based on performing course tasks and a mini-exam.

Target Groups

The course is optional for students of bachelor's and master's programs in the faculty of educational sciences its' and exchange students.
The course can also be part of continuous learning.

Module

Independent course, not part of any module.

Teaching period when the course will be offered

The course is organized in the IV period and as summer studies.
The organization of the course is decided in the curriculum every academic year.

Expiry of studies

Check the University and the Faculty guidelines

Language of instruction

english, finnish, swedish

EQF Level

EQF 7, Master's programme