Overview
  • Overview
  • Programme Structure
  • Modules
  • Time Table
  • Entry Requirements

Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences (Part-Time)

Course Description

 

The Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) is a part-time course designed by the DAS Academy to meet the increasing demands for higher education in the field of specific learning differences. Offering a platform that promotes interactive and collaborative learning, this Specialist Diploma will engage students in the learning process as they explore, reflect and share knowledge and experiences as an individual and as a group. For the award of the Specialist Diploma in SpLD, students have to successfully complete six modules which includes a 10-hour Teaching Practicum with a struggling learner whom they have chosen to support. The Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences programme is a part-time course and will take up to three years to complete.

 

Upcoming Preview

14 March 2018, 7pm. Please click here to register.

 

Intakes

 

Students can enter the course at the start of any of the first 5 modules.

 

Application Period

 

Application is always open. Applications must be submitted at least 1 month before the start of any of the first 5 modules. The Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences is a part time course registered under CPE with 1 year of completion period but students have a maximum candidature of 3 years to complete the course.

 

Teacher-Student Ratio

 

This programme has a student-teacher ratio of 1:35.

  

Graduation

 

To attain the Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences, the student must have obtained a pass for all module assessment(s) (Modules 1 –  6). Students have up to 3 years (from commencement of the core/first module) to complete the Specialist Diploma in SpLD.

 

More Information

 

Information about the Specialist Diploma such as Module Information, Time Table and Entry Criteria can be viewed by clicking the tabs above.

 

Students and graduates of the Specialist Diploma programme have enjoyed the curriculum and praised delivery of the content. Click here to read what they say!
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Fees

 

Course Fees: $5,029 (inclusive of GST)

 

Non-refundable Application Fee: $32.10 (inclusive of GST)

 

Late Payment Fee: $32.10 (inclusive of GST)

 

Accreditation of Prior Learning - Non-refundable APL processing fee: $53.50.

 

If you have previously undertaken any of the modules as certificate courses that make up the Specialist Diploma (e.g. Certificate in Dyslexia & Literacy Teaching) or its equivalent within the last three years, you may be exempted from part of the Specialist Diploma via Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). This will prevent you from duplicating study which has been previously completed.

 

  • EFFECTIVE CURRICULUM

    Building on the established Special Educational Needs (SEN) framework from the University of South Wales, the programme is imbued with local perspectives to ensure relevance in the Singaporean context.

     

    Students will appreciate learning the theory from a fusion of Eastern and Westen SEN practices. The intellectually rigorous context allows practioners to develop their skills of communication, critical thinking and research in the field of SEN at the Master's level.

     

    The Master of Arts in Special Educational Needs (MA SEN) will provide a huge boost in academic and professional development for teachers, allied educators, parents and anyone looking to further their knowledge in supporting individuals with special learning needs.

  • EXPERIENCED LECTURERS

    With more than 10 years of practical experience each, DAS Academy lecturers share their experiences in suppporting children with learning differences.

     

    Lecturers from the University of South Wales (UK) will also visit during term-time for each module, ensuring that students receive a balanced view of their syllabus from both local and international perspectives.

  • INTERACTIVE & COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

    Lesson formats engages students by having lively discussions and outside perspectives by guest lecturers will make for an enriching classroom experience for everyone.

     

    The Master of Arts in Special Educational Needs (MA SEN) programme utilises a variety of classroom styles to provide the best learning environment for our students. These styles include: lecture-style teaching, group discussions, sharing sessions as well as invited guest lecturers who will share about their experiences in supporting individuals with special educational needs.

     

    At the end of the taught lectures, students are expected to engage in independent study and to initiate contact with their lecturers to maintain the momentum of learning.

Programme Structure

Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching  
Written Exam  Oral Test  Lesson Planning & Delivery (on the last day of the module) 
Educational Psychology   
In-class Quiz (on the last day of the module)
Advanced Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching  
Design a Teaching Resource & Reflective Paper (due 15 working days after the last day of the module)  
Dyscalculia and Numeracy Teaching  
Design a Teaching Resource & Reflective Paper (due 15 working days after the last day of the module)
Understanding Speech and Language Impairment
In-class Open-book Written Test (on the last day of the module)

 

Assessments

 

All module assessments are compulsory. Some of the assessments are undertaken during the lecturing time frame while others require students to submit at a stipulated time.

 

Potential deadlines for certain assessments (period in brackets) are listed in the table above. These periods however are subject to changes.

 

All assessments (where applicable) are to be submitted to info@dasacademy.edu.sg, except for physical portfolios which are to be submitted in person at the DAS Academy (Rex House). All assessments are due by 5:30pm (1730hrs) on the specified due date.

 

 

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Modules

For the award of the Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences, students have to complete 6 modules. The Specialist Diploma is delivered on weekday evenings and/or Saturdays, twice a week with a total of 130 contact hours for the entire diploma.

 

Module Description

 

Please click here to learn more about the modules.

 

Dates of Upcoming Modules

 

Module No. Module Title Dates Time
1 Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching

Run 1: 3, 10, 17, 24 March & 7, 14 April 2018

 

Run 2: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 26 November 2018

Run 1: 9.30am – 5.30pm

Run 2: 9.30am – 5.30pm
2 Educational Psychology

Run 1: 7, 14, 21, 28 February & 7 March 2018

 

Run 2: 3, 10, 17. 24 & 31 October 2018

Run 1: 6.30pm – 9.30pm


Run 2: 6.30pm – 9.30pm
3 Supporting SpLD Learners in Advanced Literacy

Run 1: 8, 9, 11 & 12 January 2018


Run 2: 27 June, 4, 11, 18, 25 July & 1, 15 August 2018

Run 1: (8, 9, 11) 9.30am – 4.30pm (12) 9.30am – 12.30pm


Run 2: 6.30pm – 9.30pm
4 Dyscalculia and Numeracy Teaching

Run 1: 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17 May 2018


Run 2: 3, 4 & 5 September 2018

Run 1: 9.30am – 12.30pm


Run 2: (3, 4) 9.30am – 4.30pm (5) 9.30am – 12.30pm
5 Understanding Speech and Language Impairment

Run 1: 21 & 28 April 2018


Run 2: 18 & 25 August 2018

Run 1: 9.30am – 6.00pm


Run 2: 9.30am – 6.00pm
 6

Specific Learning Differences in Practice
(upon completion of Module 1 – 5)

March 2018
June 2018
September 2018
December 2018

 Students who have successfully completed modules 1- 5 will be invited to attend the practicum module briefing.

 

Module Descriptions are on the blue section below. Please swipe left and right to view information for each module.

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  • Module 1

    Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching

    42 hours hours

    This module aims to introduce students to dyslexia and language acquisition deficiencies. Content includes understanding the structure of the English language, phonics knowledge and application, oral support and reading fluency, conceptual teaching and planning, and lesson planning and delivery.

     

    Assessments: Written Exam, Oral Test, and a Lesson Observation (Role-play)

     

    Click here to view more information on this module

  • Module 2

    Educational Psychology

    15 hours hours

    This module focuses on how humans learn in educational settings and the psychology of teaching. Specific theories taught include Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory, and constructivism.

     

    Assessment: 1,250 word Reflective Essay

     

    Click here to view more information on this module

  • Module 3

    Advanced Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching

    21 hours hours

    Building on the content from the Core Module, this module looks into higher order skills beyond the phonics elements and includes: morphology, reading comprehension, grammar, writing, self-esteem, behaviour management, study skills and other additional teaching resources.

     

    Assessments: Design a teaching resource, and a 500-750 word reflective essay

     

    Click here to view more information on this module

  • Module 4

    Dyscalculia and Numeracy Teaching

    15 hours hours

    This module aims to enable students to understand and support learners who have difficulties in learning mathematics. Content includes understanding dyscalculia, learning differences relating to mathematics, identifying and assessing individual needs, and techniques to support learners.

     

    Assessment: 2 in-class quizzes, and 750-1,000 word reflective essay

     

    Click here to view more information on this module

  • Module 5

    Understanding Speech and Language Impairment

    12 hours hours

    This module aims to enable students to understand learners with Speech and Language impairment. Areas covered include assessment, intervention, case studies and individual targets, and strategies for lesson planning.

     

    Assessment: 1,000 word SLT Report to assist learning

     

    Click here to view more information on this module

  • Module 6

    Specific Learning Differences in Practice

    5 hours of contact time with the Module Leader hours

    This module will require students to be more independent and be able to recognise the needs of their learners beyond the phonics elements (literacy). This module will commence approximately 6 weeks from the end of lectures for the first 5 Modules. Students are to attend the Teaching Practicum briefing before embarking on their teaching practicum project.

     

    Students will conduct a teaching practicum (about 10 weeks long) with a learner with specific learning differences. Students should set clear objectives for each lesson, leading to an overarching goal to be achieved by the 10th lesson. By the end of the module, students are required to produce a teaching practicum portfolio which consist of the 10 complete 1-hour lesson plans (related to higher order skills or non-literacy) and supplementary documents as evidence of teaching practicum learner(s) with specific learning differences. To ensure that the philosophy behind the teaching is sound and secure, students will still receive guidance, through 5 hours of contact time with the Practicum Supervisor (synchronous or asynchronous communication).

     

    This module runs 4 times a year. Module briefing will be conducted in the months of March, June, September and December.

Time Table

 

For the award of the Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences, students have to complete 6 modules. The Specialist Diploma is delivered on weekday evenings and/or Saturdays, twice a week with a total of 130 contact hours for the entire diploma.

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Module Timetable

Module Hours Start Date Time
Module 1
Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching		 42 hours hours
Module 2
Educational Psychology		 15 hours hours
Module 3
Advanced Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching		 21 hours hours
Module 4
Dyscalculia and Numeracy Teaching		 15 hours hours
Module 5
Understanding Speech and Language Impairment		 12 hours hours
Module 6
Specific Learning Differences in Practice		 5 hours of contact time with the Module Leader hours

Entry Requirement

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Academic Level: Minimum 5 GCE ‘O’ level passes, or equivalent

Language Proficiency: GCE ‘O’ Level pass in English Language as the 1st Language, or equivalent

  

Submission

 

The application can be submitted via email or by mail.

 

By email: Please email completed form to info@dasacademy.edu.sg

 

By mail: Please mail the application and application fee (cheque payment only) to:

DAS Academy Ltd
73 Bukit Timah Road
#05-01 Rex House
Singapore 229832

 

Closing Date

For updated information on the closing date, please contact DAS Academy.

For more details, please contact the DAS Academy at info@dasacademy.edu.sg.

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