OCR Level 7 Diploma course in assessing and teaching learners with specific learning difficulties (Dyslexia)
Level 7 Diploma is a year long course beginning on 4 October 2012 with completion expected in Summer 2013. All written assignments, except the essay, will be completed and submitted to the Centre by the end of June 2013. The essay is to be submitted by the end of July 2013.
The Level 7 Diploma is designed to accredit skills and knowledge at Level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework. This Level 7 Diploma provides continuing professional development building on the skills acquired in Level 5; there is a major focus on assessment of learners with Specific Learning Difficulties, as well as professional liaison skills when working with other colleagues and in more than one context e.g. across a specific age range or across a range of SpLDs.
The Diploma is designed to allow teachers to broaden their knowledge and understanding of Specific Learning Difficulties through extended research. As well as completing Level 7 Diploma units, candidates may be able to specialise in study based on their own interests and areas of work.
The Level 7 Diploma appears on JCQ’s list of ‘Approved qualifications for the provision of supporting evidence on behalf of examination candidates with learning difficulties.’ This means that candidates who achieve are qualified to provide reports and evidence for learners requiring special arrangements for examinations and assessments.
The JCQ list can be found at the back of their publication ‘Regulations and Guidance Relating to candidates with Particular Requirements’.
Target Group
This qualification is suitable for those who are involved or wish to be involved in assessment of pupils and advising and supporting classroom teachers and learning support assistants in teaching programmes. Diploma candidates are likely to be specialist teachers working within advisory, training or managerial roles and responsibilities and who wish to extend their knowledge of theory and practice relating to SpLDs in more than one context.
Although OCR promotes open access to all qualifications, in practice, candidates who do not have a professional background in providing learning support may find it difficult to access opportunities to generate the full range of evidence required to achieve the full qualification.
Candidates should possess an appropriate level of learning support experience and should have a relevant qualification at Level 5 or its equivalent. It is anticipated that Candidates will already have a high level of skill and be working at or above the equivalent of Level 5 in the following key skill areas: literacy, numeracy, ICT, working with others, improving own learning and problem solving.
Structure of Diploma Level 7
NB: Candidates who have completed an OCR Level 5 Certificate/Diploma within the last 3 years (as per OCR’s specification) may have exemption from Units 4 and 5 through accreditation for prior learning.
The course consists of 6 units:
- Understand theoretical concepts for teaching individuals with dyslexia/SpLDs
- Understanding psychometric and educational assessment methods in the context of dyslexia/SpLDs
- Assessing individuals for dyslexia/SpLDs
- Planning and teaching learning programmes for individuals with dyslexia/SpLDs
- Evaluation of teaching and learning programmes for individuals with dyslexia/SpLDs
- Relating theoretical and methodological perspectives to practice in the context of dyslexia/SpLDs
The main types of teaching for this course will include the following: lectures, tutorials, workshops, discussion groups, presentations, directed study, significant independent research and practical activities.
In exceptional circumstances, candidates with extensive and highly specialised training and experience in SpLD may be considered for a place on Level 7 Diploma, even though they do not have a Level 5 qualification. Further charges will apply for units 4 and 5 in such cases.
If a potential candidate feels that s/he already has this level of extensive and highly specialised training and experience in SpLD, then s/he should submit a detailed CV (including clear details of this extensive and specialised training/experience) with the application, after which an interview date will be given. In order to ascertain a candidate’s suitability in such circumstances, evidence of previous coursework/assignments may be requested. Candidates are advised that there is a requirement for significant independent study and research, in their own time and throughout the course, to provide the evidence for Units 4 and 5.
Assessment
Teaching practice for unit 6 will take place on the course day and candidates will be observed teaching on a regular basis for assessment of practical skills during teaching practice in addition to the formative and summative assessment of written work. Observation will be followed by tutorials giving the opportunity for individual learning and discussion.
Candidates will also be observed carrying out the required formal diagnostic assessments; this evidence may be required on DVD. Written work for units will be marked by the candidate’s tutor and/or other appropriate professional course staff on occasion. Assignments are both internally verified by the Centre’s Internal Verifier and externally verified by the External Verifier appointed by OCR.
Progression
Candidates may be able to progress to M.Ed. level and other higher level qualifications in education.
Assessment Pattern
All Units are internally assessed and verified and then externally verified by OCR.
All candidates will be expected to complete the course in the academic year in which they are registered. For candidates who need to re-take whole or part units where criteria have not previously been met, a fee of £80 per hour is charged for tutor support.
For further information contact Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre or download a pdf brochure of our full course prospectus
Telephone Number for all enquiries: 01252 792 400
Email General Enquiries: enquiries@arkellcentre.org.uk
Email Course Enquiries: courses@arkellcentre.org.uk