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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Identity, Holistic Profiling, Responses
Module Code ISE1003 (ITS: SI721)
Faculty Inclusive & Special Education School DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Description

This module focuses on understanding, acknowledging, accepting, celebrating, and responding holistically to the developing and diverse identities of learners across a range of educational settings. It aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of practicing teachers regarding the use of inclusive, person-centered, strengths-based approaches to education. Understanding these approaches will allow the teacher participants to consider how a holistic profile that records a learner’s strengths, interests and difficulties can be effectively and ethically developed. To support this holistic understanding of learners, participants will be introduced to different theories of human development that address (among others) the personal, social, cognitive, and emotional development of learners. Teacher participants will also be introduced to a range of formal and informal assessment tools. In learning about these tools, the teacher participants will develop an understanding of key assessment principles and concepts (e.g. reliability, validity). Teacher participants will also develop their skills in critically evaluating formal test scores and professional reports so that they become more adept at developing contextualised, personalised and evidence-based educational priorities for their learners.

Learning Outcomes

1. Reflect on the development of learner identities and the factors that impact on their formation.
2. Adopt a strengths-based approach to understanding their learners and developing planning documents..
3. Explain key concepts and principles of assessment and how they should be applied in their day-to-day practices as teachers.
4. Select appropriate assessment tools/techniques across a range of domains and be able to justify their use with their chosen learners.
5. Use a range of assessment techniques and tools in a valid, reliable, ethical and authentic manner.
6. Collate, interpret, analyse and synthesise all information available on learners in a contextualised, critical, accurate, systematic and fair manner,
7. Develop holistic profiles of learners to include their strengths, interests, difficulties, learning characteristics and current level of educational performance.
8. Compose contextualised, evidence-based priorities for learners based on the holistic profiling process.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Portfolio Preparation375Lectures and Seminars: Campus, Synchronous and Asynchronous online Independent Study Assessing, gleaning, working with learners in school Assignment Assignment compilation in addition to school-based preparation above
Total Workload: 375
Section Breakdown
CRN10026Part of TermSemester 1 & 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorChristina O'KeeffeModule TeacherLeanne Connolly, Paula Lehane, Sylwia Kazmierczak-Murray
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Professional PortfolioStudents are asked to select one individual learner that they work with in their professional context. Using the skills and approaches discussed in module SI721, and drawing on work from other modules where appropriate, students are asked to build a holistic understanding of this learner and develop an Individual Learning Profile (ILP) that can support their future work with this learner. A narrative document outlining the key decisions involved in the development of this ILP will also be submitted along with other evidence of work done. Word Count: 4000 words approx. (not including accompanying evidence)100%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

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

Learner Identity

Strengths Based Approaches

Development across the lifespan

Inclusive Education and Principles

Formal Assessments

Informal Assessments

Understanding Professional Reports

Personal & Social Development

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Aguilar, E.: 0, Coaching for equity: Conversations that change practice., John Wiley & Sons.,
  • Allen, K.A. & Kern, P. .: 0, Boosting School Belonging: Practical Strategies to Help Adolescents Feel Like They Belong at School, Routledge.,
  • Carter, J.: 2021, SEND Assessment: A Strengths-based Framework for Learners with SEND., Routledge.,
  • Forlin, C.: 2017, Ethics, Equity, and Inclusive Education., Emerald Group Publishing.,
  • Guerin, A.(editor): 2018, Belonging: Rethinking Inclusive Practices to Support Well-Being and Identity., Brill Sense.,
  • Gorski, P.C & Pothini, S.G (2019).: 2019, Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education,, 2nd Edition., Routledge.,
  • Greenstein, L.M.: 2017, Restorative Assessment: Strength-Based Practices That Support All Learners., Sage.,
  • Hamre, B., Morin, A. & Ydesen, C.: 2020, Testing and Inclusive Schooling: International Challenges and Opportunities., Routledge,
  • Jung, L.A, Frey, N., Fisher, D. & Kroener, J: 2019, Your Students, My Students, Our Students: Rethinking Equitable and Inclusive Classrooms., ASCD,
  • Rogers, C.R., Lyon, H., & Tausch, R.: 2013, On becoming an effective teacher: Person-centered teaching, psychology, philosophy, and dialogues with Carl R. Rogers and Harold Lyon., Routledge.,
  • Shulman, J.H. & Mesa-Bains, A.: 2018, . Diversity in the Classroom: A Casebook for Teachers and Teacher Educators,, 1st edition., Routledge.,
  • Sobsey, D., Forlin, C., & Scorgie, K. (Eds.).: 2017, Working with Families for Inclusive Education: Navigating Identity, Opportunity and Belonging., Emerald Group Publishing.,
  • Valle, J.E. & Connor D.J.: 2019, Rethinking Disability: A Disability Studies Approach to Inclusive Practices ., 2nd ed., Routledge:,
  • Wehmeyer, M.L.: 2019, Strength-based Approaches to Educating All Learners with Disabilities : Beyond Special Education., Teachers’ College Press.,
  • Wehmeyer, M.L & Kurth, J.: 2021, Inclusive Education in a Strengths-Based Era: Mapping the Future of the Field., Norton Professional Books.,
  • Zacarian, D., Alvarez-Ortiz, L and Haynes. J.: 2017, . Teaching to Strengths : Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence, and Chronic Stress., Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.,
  • Zacarian, D & Silverstone, M.: 2020, Teaching to Empower: Taking Action to Foster Student Agency, Self-Confidence, and Collaboration, ASCD.,
  • Gonzalez K. & Frumkin, R.: 2021, Trauma Informed Classrooms, BRILL, 268, 9789004465367


Articles:
  • Elder, B.C., Rood, C.E., & Damiani, M.L.: 2018, Writing Strength-Based IEPs for Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms, International Journal of Whole Schooling, 14(1), 116, https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1182587.pdf, 519168
  • 2012: First Discover Their Strengths: A neurodiversity perspective can help educators create learning environments in which all students flourish., Educational Leadership,, 70(2), 10-16., 519169, 1
  • The Principles of Strengths-Based Education: Journal of College and Character, 10(4), 519170, 1, Bozic, N. (2013).
  • Educational and Child Psychology,: 30(4),, 18-29, 519171, 1, Climie, E., & Henley, L. (2016)., 0
  • 43(2), 108-121.: 519172, 1, Farmer, T. W., Farmer, E. M., & Brooks, D. S., 2010, Recasting the ecological and developmental roots of intervention for students with emotional and behavior problems: The promise of strength-based perspectives.
  • 519173: 2, Davis, J. M., & Deponio, P., 2014, Analysing conflicting approaches to dyslexia on a European project: moving to a more strategic, participatory, strength-based and integrated approach., International Journal of Inclusive Education,, 18(5), 515-534.,
  • 2: Shevlin, M., Winter, E., Rose, R. & O'Raw, P, 2013, Investigating perceptions of the assessment process for pupils with special educational needs within an Irish context., Irish Educational Studies, 32(2), 121-137.,
Other Resources

  • 1: Report, Douglas, G., Travers, J., McLinden, M., Robertson, C., Smith, E., Macnab, N., ... & Lacey, P., 2012, Measuring educational engagement, progress and outcomes for children with special educational needs: A review., National Council for Special Education
  • 416246: 1, Report, Squires, G., Kalambouka, A., & Bragg, J., 2016, A Study of the Experiences of Post Primary Students with Special Educational Needs,
  • https://ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/NCSE-A-Study-of-the-Experiences-of-Post-Primary-Students-with-Special-Ed-Needs.pdf: 416247, 1, Guidelines, Department of Education and Skills, 2010, Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties: A Continuum of Support: Guidelines for Teachers.
  • 416248: 1, Guidelines, Department of Education and Science, 2007, . Special Educational Needs: A Continuum of Support: Guidelines for Teachers. .,
  • 416249: 1, Guidelines, Department of Education and Skills, 2010, A Continuum of Support for Post Primary Schools: Guidelines for Teachers.,
  • 416250: 1, Resource Pack, Department of Education and Science, 2007, Special Educational Needs: A Continuum of Support: Resource Pack for Teachers.,
  • 416251: 1, Resource Pack, Department of Education and Skills, 2010, A Continuum of Support for Post Primary Schools: Resource Pack for Teachers.,
  • 416252: 1, Resource Pack, Parkinson, S., 2020, My Learner ID,
  • https://mylearnerid.com/:

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