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The format for this course is unique. It uses the DISCUSS model in which cases are presented for your discussion. These case studies are composites of many children and family; they represent a variety of different children who are deaf-blind and will allow the participant to become familiar with the diversity and uniqueness of these children. Participants will be invited to develop their own ‘case" based upon a child they know.

All of the course learning activities will take place within the discussion format of the course inside a password protected virtual computer conference center using software from "Caucus".

At times, participants may need further information to continue with the case questions. Resources may be suggested or participants will be invited to locate information needed by using online resources. Given the online format of the course, it is expected that participants may easily locate information needed and report this information back to their team.

Participants will be placed into teams to encourage the flow of discussions. Facilitators or moderators will be online as well. In a case based learning environment, facilitators have a different role from that of a traditional "teacher". Their role will be to assist and monitor the flow of conversations, redirect if necessary and to ask questions that may assist a group in moving forward. Participants will be encouraged to discuss issues, ideas, solutions, etc. in as much depth as they require. Because participants have several choices of cases in the course, it is anticipated that team membership will be flexible.

New cases will be introduced every two weeks. The flow of all cases will be similar; participants will begin by reading the initial case information, which are the Child Profile, Family Profile and School/intervention Profile. After reading these profiles, the cases will begin with questions for participants to discuss online. Participants will spend approximately 2-3 hours on line per week, similar to that which a student would spend in a lecture. The unique feature of an online format is that participants may spend that time in any way they choose; perhaps spending 30 minutes one day; 20 minutes the next and 60 minutes at another time. Another feature is that given the participant centered nature of the course, it is anticipated that teams may move more quickly through some question or may wish to spend additional time on others.

All participants will pace themselves; it will be important, however, to begin and end cases according to the posted schedule. This will allow all participants to contribute to cases and respond to questions.

Following completion of the course, we will request your evaluation feedback about format, cases, discussions and participants’ satisfaction with this course. This will assist us in making necessary changes to the course for future offerings.

Assignments

The basic requirement for participation in this course is just that, participation. Participants will be asked to respond to questions, to reflect upon issues and to share their own knowledge and expertise with their team members.

The third case will offer participants options. Participants may choose to develop a case around a child they are currently working with my developing unanswered questions about the child. Participants will be guided in their development of the case; the outcome of these cases is to assist the participant in developing an educational or intervention plan for the child and family.

Participants who are not currently working with a child who is deaf-blind may choose to join a fellow participant and assist them in the development. Ways of assisting might be to research information for the team member, develop and post profile based upon input from the team or assist in developing the educational or intervention plan.

A final option for participants not currently working with a child who is deaf-blind will be to work through a second choice case. For those participants choosing this option, it will be an expectation that you "visit" the work of other teams and provide feedback on plans developed during the final week of the course.

Enter the Virtual Conference Center and your case discussions here.