Alverno College

SPE 635 Ideal Classroom/Community Environment Case Study

Self and Faculty Assessment
Course Description:
With a special emphasis on classroom environment, this course focuses on elements that foster a successful learning experience for students with a
cognitive disability, specific learning disability, or emotional/behavioral disability. The course will draw upon basic classroom management theories,
methods and strategies as a basis for designing an appropriate academic and behavioral environment. A study of behavioral principles, including
measurement of behavior, reinforcement strategies and techniques for monitoring student progress, school rules, and policies and procedures will be
analyzed in relation to their impact on student behavior. The critical collaborative roles of parents, general educators, para-educators, volunteers and
community agency personnel will be developed.
Course Outcomes
Students will learn to create learning environments that foster cultural understanding, safety and emotional well-being, positive social
interactions and active engagement of individuals. (Conceptualization, Coordination) (CEC Standards: #1 Foundations, #2 Development and
Characteristics of Learners, #3 Individual Learning Differences, #4 Instructional Strategies, #5 Learning Environment and Social Interactions)
Students will analyze and design environments to encourage the independence, self-motivation, self-direction, personal empowerment, and
self-advocacy of individuals with a Cognitive Disability, Specific Learning Disability and Emotional Behavior Disability. (Diagnosis,
Coordination) (CEC Standards: #1 Foundations, #2 Development and Characteristics of Learners, #3 Individual Learning Differences, #4
Instructional Strategies, #5 Learning Environment and Social Interactions, #7 Instructional Planning, #8 Assessment)
Following is a rubric of the criteria for the SPE 635 Ideal Classroom/Community Environment Case Study:
Inadequate

Emerging

Proficient
You effectively and appropriately developed a structure to
set forth philosophy, theory, and practice in this ideal
environment.

Distinctive
My ideal classroom identifies the
importance of classroom
management, instructional
Evidence:
approaches, and student abilities.
Applied are my experiences with
what leads to an Ideal Classroom.
Theorists identified Bloom,
Gardner, Greene and Skinner
Behavior Model.
You clearly and appropriately described the environments
The design of the classroom has a
purpose, mission, and structure. You also used technology to clear purpose. There are clear
1

provide a diagram of the environment (or part of the

environment).
Evidence:

rationales behind what the

classroom is designed in its layout,
use of furniture, need for sensory
area, the organization in the
classroom, and the classroom
environment.

You clearly and appropriately described the learners in this

environment, with specific details.

The learners are not specifically

stated in the ideal classroom. The
Evidence:
rationale behind not specifically
stating particular students includes
the rationale behind the space
adapting to the many different kinds
of students and the space needs to
be flexible to adapt to its learners.
Learners in the environment are not
controlled by the educator.
You explicitly and professionally addressed at least three (3) The three key aspects identified in
key aspects of teaching and/services and show how they
my presentation and paper include
make a difference/contribute to the environment being
Use of technology, Sensory space,
ideal.
and a co-taught model to meet the
Evidence:
needs of its learners.

My philosophy in practice
is clearly described. My
beliefs stem from my
experiences in the
classroom. The examples
are realistic and can be
applicable to a classroom
(right now).

You effectively and appropriately provided examples that

express and describe your philosophy in practice.
Evidence:

You demonstrated professional communication skills in your

APA style is appropriately used in

writing and oral report, which include appropriate terminology,

appropriate use of information and materials, and effective use of
APA style in all aspects of the report.
Evidence:

My descriptions use
appropriate sources to
support my ideas. There
are a variety of sources
used theorists, blogs, and
educational journals.

You individually included your descriptions of how and

why you selected your ideas for this ideal
classroom/community environment, which resources
(internet, peers, textbook, course materials, other people,
etc.) you found helpful in establishing this environment, and
the questions that the case study raised for you.
Evidence:

Other Comments:

the format of the paper. Materials

are sited. A variety of sources are
used. My presentation includes
correct terminology, is clear, and
covers all components in the outline
provided.