Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) was the founder of the Kindergarten. The college takes its name from him and bases its educational practice on his philosophy. Froebel advocated reverence for every child, learning through activity, exploration of the local environment as integral to education, and enjoyment of beauty in all its manifestations. He urged teachers to recognise the gifts in all children, regardless of ability or behaviour. Froebel education places the child at the centre of practice. The philosophy of Froebel is consistent with the goals of the National Curriculum and contemporary theories of inclusive special education.

It has a flexible, modular format.

Sessions are convened on weekends.

• Overview of special education developments nationally and internationally

• Current DES Policy and Legislation at Primary and Second Level

• Curriculum development for children with special educational needs

• The Role of Assessment in Special Education

• Supporting and Developing Literacy Skills

• Supporting and Developing Mathematical Skills

• Classroom management

• Development of Individual Educational Plans

• Differentiating the Curriculum

• General Learning Disabilities

• Emotional and/or Behavioural Difficulties

• Specific Speech and Language Disorders

• Visual and Hearing Impairment

• Physical Disability

• Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention Strategies

• ICT Applications for Children with Special Needs

• Consulting & Co-operating with Mainstream Teachers

The award of the Postgraduate Diploma is based on full attendance and satisfactory completion of course work and supervised teaching.

Module 1 (30 Hours)

The Introductory module offers a history and general overview of the field of special education; current DES policy on special education; education law as it relates to special education.

Modules 2-3 (30 Hours + 30 Hours)

These modules provide an overview of assessment in special education; introduction to and the development of IEPs; introduction to literacy and mathematical disabilities for teachers working with children with special educational needs.

Modules 4-5 (30 Hours + 30 Hours)

These modules provide detailed and comprehensive content on all the above and include information related to special education conditions; teaching children with the range of SEN and their educational implications.

Module 6 - Supervised Teaching Practice

As part of the Postgraduate Diploma, participants will be required to undertake supervised teaching practice in their own school.

• have a recognised teaching qualification in accordance with Circular 140/2006 and Circular Letter 25/00

• have satisfactorily completed their probationary period

• hold a sanctioned full-time teaching position in a mainstream primary, secondary or special school

• be registered in accordance with Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001 and hold a teacher number

• be teaching, over the duration of the Course, the same group of pupils having special educational needs

Applicants may be required to provide evidence of qualification(s).

In determining entry to the course, reasonable accessibility to Dublin will be taken into consideration.

Total Diploma Course: €1.980