Online Graduate Course Information
If you are interested in learning more about teaching special learners in the music classroom, you may now do this without leaving the comfort of your home and earn graduate credit in the process. Dr. Hammel has created an online course in conjunction with Connect for Education that is offered for 3 graduate credits at James Madison University. The class is open to any student or teacher, and participants can work from home at their own pace. The course includes numerous video examples, case studies, discussion boards, and frequent feedback from Dr. Hammel. This is a great way to earn re-certification points and save on fuel costs!
MUED 598 OP01 Music and Special Learners
Course Description: Students will become familiar with general educational issues and music education trends affecting special learners in the United States. Questions about music education teaching and learning will be covered, variations in language ability, assessment, inclusion, and music education in a diverse world. The class will develop a sense of community in reading and discussion forums as well as lesson planning. Students will become knowledgeable in the areas of language, motor, visual, and social development, connecting current research and theory about special learners music education to classroom practice. To synthesize thinking and learning experiences, students will critically assess inclusive school settings.
Instructor: Dr. Alice Hammel
Credits: 3
Schedule: Fall 2011: September 12 to November 28, 2011
Spring 2011: check back soon
Meeting Location: Online
How to register for graduate credit
The fall 2011 session runs from September 12 to November 28. For more information, visit the JMU website or download the course flier. If you are not currently a JMU student enrolled in a degree program, registration for the class begins by setting up a personal account with the JMU Outreach Program (540-568-4253) . Follow the online instructions to complete the registration process. Once you have completed the registration process and are enrolled in the class, Dr. Hammel will contact you with further instructions.
Cost: The current cost per credit at JMU is $302. The cost for materials will be approximately $100.
How to register for "recertification" points only
If you do not need graduate credit, but would still like to take the course, this is the option for you! Simply purchase the course materials (see below) and then contact Dr. Hammel to begin. Do not register with JMU! Upon successful completion of the course, students will be mailed a certificate verifying the completion of 45 contact hours.
Cost: $200 for the course instruction and $100 for the course materials.
Course materials
To purchase the required materials for the class, you will visit the Connect for Education website - the direct link to purhase the text is here.
How difficult is the class?
The work load is not heavy. There are no research papers. There are some quizzes, a mid-term and a final exam. Students write paragraph responses to discussion questions and videos they view during the course. There is a paper that students write summarizing information they receive from colleagues at their school. This paper is actually enjoyable because students are writing about their own school situation. There is also a short paper required following an observation of a teacher in their area.
For additional information, feel free to contact Dr. Hammel.
