Co-Teaching

Estimated 8.5 Hours to Complete Module

Two factors influence the Co-teaching Arrangement between the special education teacher and the general education teacher: 1) the number of students requiring services, and 2) the intensity level of such services. The number of "high need" students in each class is on the rise, necessitating general educators and special education teachers to teach students jointly, in educationally integrated settings. Co-teaching is an outgrowth of collaborative consultation.

Co-teaching occurs in the content areas with the special education and general education teachers being jointly responsible for the instruction occurring in a classroom. There is mutual ownership in the delivery of material, where the teachers pool their resources and share joint accountability for the learning that has occurred. Each teacher possesses specific and unique skills, which are brought to the classroom.

1. (1.5 hrs) Complete the Roles and Responsibilities learning object and save it to your portfolio.

a. Send a copy of your summary to your co-teaching colleague via e-mail and have this person do the same.

b. Set up a time to meet and discuss your chosen topics.

2. (.5 hr) Complete the Flexibility learning object. Post the answers to the following questions to your online portfolio.

a. How close was your estimated score to your actual score

b. Did you feel the survey gave you an accurate picture of your ability to be flexible?

c. Reflect on how your flexibility affects how you work with your colleagues based on their ability to be flexible.

3. (.5 hr) Complete the Collaborative Instruction Planning learning object and save your results to your online portfolio.

4. (1 hr) If you did not complete the Setting Demands Analysis learning object in the Collaborative Consultation training module then complete the following:

Complete the Settings Demands Analysis learning object as

either a Special Educator, Intermediate Special Educator, or as a

General Education Teacher. Save your results in your online

portfolio.

a. Share your results with one individual with whom you collaborate with in your building. Have this individual also complete the survey and share the results with you.

b. Discuss each other’s expectations based upon the survey.

c. Discuss how helpful you both feel the Setting Demands Analysis is and whether you feel it will help foster better collaboration.

If you already completed this learning object in the Collaborative

Consultation module, then proceed to the next activity.

5. (1 hr) View all three categories in the Presentation Strategies learning object.

a. Complete the interactive activity on student retention and instructional strategy.

i. Which instructional strategy do you use most in your teaching? How does that strategy rate on the retention scale? Post your answers to your online portfolio.

b. Can you think of a situation/classroom where it would be feasible and beneficial for you to practice complementary instruction with a co-teacher?

i. If so, attempt to set up a time frame in which you will utilize this method with your co-teacher. Post a reflection of your experience to your online portfolio.

ii. If this is not feasible, explain why and post your response to your online portfolio.

6. (.5 hr) Find the Blue Valley Middle School Interviews in the Teacher Vista section of the web site and read several of the interviews regarding collaboration and co-teaching.

7. (.5 hr) Complete the Processing Co-Teaching learning object and save your results to your online portfolio.

8. (1 hr) Complete the Problem-solving/Co-Teaching learning object and save your results to your online portfolio.

9. (.5 hr) Complete the Evaluation/Co-Teaching learning object and save your results to your online portfolio.

10. (1 hr) Complete the Case-studies learning object and save your results to your online portfolio.

11. (.5 hr) Complete the Trouble-shooting...What if? learning object and save your results to your online portfolio.

12. Evaluation:

a. Complete the included evaluation form for the Co-Teaching training module.