Instructional Methods for Behavior and Learning
EDUC-624

This course will explore research and instructional approaches and methods for managing behaviors effectively. Emphasis will be placed on individualized, classroom and school-wide behavior support to prepare candidates for the special education classroom as well as students going into the general education classrooms and community settings.

The process of classroom management requires the application of a cadre of integrated skills that necessarily flow into all areas of the curriculum and presentation of that curriculum. Good classroom management establishes the groundwork and foundation for academic achievement; therefore, instruction in this area must be as effective and as efficient as possible.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Determine how to utilize behavior management techniques for diverse needs in the classroom.
2. Evaluate the interactions among the classroom teacher, special education students, and their parents.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of various instructional skills and methods for classroom success.
4. Approach classroom management from a biblical worldview perspective.

Required Resource Purchases

Chandler, L. & Dahlquis, C. (2015). Functional assessment: Strategies to prevent and remediate challenging behavior in school settings (4^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. (This required resource has been provided in this course as an e-book). However, if the student prefers a physical copy of the book, he or she may purchase it through the Liberty University Online bookstore, MBS Direct. The purchase of the physical copy of the textbook is optional.

Jones, V., & Jones, L. (2016). Comprehensive classroom management: Creating communities of support and solving problems (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. ISBN 9780134444352

Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.

Recommended Resource

American Psychological Association. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (Current ed.). Washington, DC: Author. ISBN: 9781433805622

Additional Materials for Learning

1. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
2. Internet access (broadband recommended)
3. Blackboard recommended browsers
4. Microsoft Office

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate will complete 7 Discussion Board Forums throughout the course. The candidate must write a thread addressing the instructor’s prompt and also 2 substantial replies to classmates’ threads. The thread must be a minimum of 400 words. Threads must include at least 2 supporting references/in-text citations and Scriptures that relate to the Discussion Board Forum. Replies must be a minimum of 100 words each. (MLO: A, C, E)

The candidate will complete 3 journal article reviews, each on the topic of the module/week. Each review must be 350–500 words, adhere to current APA formatting guidelines, and include a title/reference page and a minimum of 3 in-text citations and at least 2 references. One reference will be the selected article, another can be any other scholarly sources related to the topic. In addition, the candidate must submit a copy of the journal article by posting it as an attachment. (MLO: A, C, E)

Throughout the course, the candidate will complete untimed quizzes on each chapter of the Jones & Jones text. Each quiz must be completed in one sitting. (MLO: A, D)

After reviewing the Chandler & Dahlquis textbook, the candidate will complete four untimed quizzes on chapters 1-4. Each quiz must be completed in one sitting. The combined scores of these quizzes will serve as the grade for the Functional Behavior Workbook Assessment (FBA). (MLO: D)

The candidate will complete a Functional Behavior Assessment Interview for a particular student (may be fictional) using the form provided. Each section of the form must be thoroughly completed using professional language. To assist in completing this assignment, the student must review the course texts, grading rubric, and websites provided. (MLO: B)

The candidate will complete a case study analysis of at least 1,950 words on encouraging appropriate behavior using the case provided. The assignment must include a title and reference page in current APA formatting. There is no minimum number of references required. (MLO: A, B, C)

The candidate will prepare a classroom management plan PowerPoint for a specific class (which must include a diagram and title/reference page). If the candidate is currently teaching, he/she must prepare the plan for his/her own classroom. If the candidate is not currently teaching, he/she may choose a class that he/she has previously taught/observed, or it can be fictional. The presentation must follow current APA formatting standards and include a minimum of 15 slides and at least 5 references/in-text citations. (MLO: A)

Course Assignments, including discussion boards, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion board threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at [email protected] for accommodations.  Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition.   For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/. Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at [email protected].  Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion board posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs. Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion board post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory.

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=19155.

EDUC 624

Textbooks: LUC – Jones & Jones, Comprehensive Classroom Management (2016).

LUC – Chandler & Dahlquis, Functional assessment: Strategies to prevent and remediate challenging behavior in school (2015)

LUC = Liberty University Custom

DB = Discussion Board

FBA = Functional Behavior Assessment

NOTE:  Each course module/week begins on Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.