Learning Difficulties: Helping Children to Overcome them
Undergraduate level | 2nd semester | Compulsory Unit | ΓΕ600
Credit Units ECTS: 5
Teaching Hours (Weekly): 3
Course Type: Scientific Area
Prequisites: --
Teaching and Examination Language: Greek
For Erasmus students study course and exams are offered in English.
Course Material
General Learning Difficulties: Definition and types of general learning difficulties. Specific learning difficulties: Difficulties related to written and spoken language and dyscalculia. Helping children to handle general and specific learning difficulties. Psychological disorders during adolescence, their impact on learning and strategies to overcome them. Learning problems related to socio-economic, cultural and educational factors. In the context of the course students participate in personal development seminars, which aim at raising their awareness of personal development issues, such as recognition and expression of personal emotions, management of anxiety, etc, and developing their skills in order to handle learning disorders.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course students are able to:
- define the general and specific learning difficulties
- know what causes the general and specific learning difficulties
- diagnose and handle general and specific learning difficulties
- understand the implications of learning disorders in the learning process
- understand the impact of psychological disorders on the learning process
- be sensitive to personal development issues and communicate effectively with pupils having learning difficulties and their parents
General Skills
Acquisition of skills in order to:
- Accomplish a task on individual basis
- Work in teams
- Have ability to adapt to new situations
- Show respect for diversity and multiculturalism
- Be able to make decisions
- Have sensitivity to gender issues
- Have creative and inductive thinking
Learning and Teaching Techniques - Evaluation
Teaching Methods: Lectures, group work, viewing educational films, study of basic literature
Use of ICT: The learning process is supported by the e-class platform
Course Organization:
| Activity | Semester Work Load |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 30 |
| Study of basic literature | 30 |
| Assignments | 20 |
| Personal development seminars | 20 |
| Group activities | 25 |
| Total | 125 |
Assessment Methods:
The teaching language is Greek. English language is used for teaching Erasmus students. The successful attendance of the personal development seminars, which take place in groups of 15 students each, is a prerequisite for participation in the examination of the course. Students are assessed by: a) Written examination (100%) of the final grade, or b) Written examination (80% of the final grade) and assignments (20% of the final grade), or c) two mid-term evaluations (50% of the final grade each), or d) two mid-term evaluations (40% of the final grade each) and assignments (20% of the final grade). The written examination includes multiple-choice questions, closed-ended questions, open-ended questions and essay questions. Assignments include oral and written (600 to 800 words) presentation of papers related to the content of the course. Erasmus students are evaluated on the basis of a literature review essay of 3000-3500 words based on a topic related to the content of the course.
Suggested literature
- Maridaki-Kassotaki, K. (2014). Learning difficulties: Psychological approach. Athens: Diadrasi [in Greek].
- Tantaros, Sp. (2012). Learning difficulties. Athens: Pedio [in Greek].
- Selected bibliography related to the course
Related Journals
- Psychology [in Greek]
- Sciences of Education [in Greek]
- Pedagogical Review [in Greek]
- Preschool and School Education [in Greek]
- Journal of Learning Disabilities