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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

No Banner module data is available

Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Patrick Burke
Semester 2: Patrick Burke
Autumn: Patrick Burke
Module TeachersPatrick Burke
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

This module deepens students' understanding of how to support varying literacy strengths and needs in the classroom. A specific focus is placed on the use of the Continuum of Support and Response to Intervention to ensure inclusive practice. Students will interrogate the research basis for literacy interventions relating to a wide range of topics including phonological awareness, phonics and reading comprehension. An emphasis is placed on knowledge of assessment to ascertain and monitor children's progress in literacy learning. The importance of adopting a strengths-based approach that is cognisant of cognitive, emotional and social development is explored.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand how a response to intervention approach can be used to support the literacy learning of all
2. Develop knowledge of why children encounter difficulties in learning to read and write
3. Critically analyse the empirical research base for different literacy interventions
4. Identify, use and evaluate a variety of assessments for different aspects of literacy development (e.g. phonics, phonological awareness, comprehension)
5. Develop awareness of broad perspectives on literacy difficulties (e.g. cognitive, social, emotional, cultural)



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Workshop24No Description
Total Workload: 24

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Understanding literacy development
Key models of reading/writing development (e.g. the Simple View of Reading; Scarborough's Reading Rope) and their implications for literacy teaching

Response to Intervention/Continuum of Support
Understanding how Response to Intervention/Continuum of Support is used as a problem-solving approach to ensure high quality literacy teaching for all, supplemented with targeted assessment and teaching for those who need additional support

High quality, whole class literacy pedagogy
Understanding the research base for high quality teaching of key literacy skills/knowledge (e.g. alphabetics, comprehension, fluency, writing)

Assessment
Understanding the need for ongoing assessment; using assessment to inform early intervention; designing assessments; evaluating available assessments

Providing tailored/responsive instruction
Identifying the substantive focus and instructional arrangements for one on one and small group teaching for children encountering literacy difficulties

Perspectives on inclusive practice
Developing a wide-angle view on the impact of literacy difficulties; strengths-based approaches; contemporary issues (e.g. effects of ability grouping)

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Assignmentn/a100%n/a
Indicative Reading List

  • Seidenberg, M.: 2017, Language at the Speed of Sight, Basic Books, 9780465019328
  • Killpatrick, D.A.: 2015, Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties, John Wiley & Sons, 9781118845240
  • Troia, G.A.: 2010, Instruction and Assessment for Struggling Writers, Guilford Press, 9781606239070
  • Stone, L.: 2021, Spelling for Life, Routledge: David Fulton Books, 9780367645694
  • Wheldall, K., Wheldall, R. & Buckingham, J.: 2023, Effective Instruction in Reading and Spelling, MRU Press, 9781922648389
Other Resources

None

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