SWU SPED

What’s Special in a Diploma?
Monday, April 13, 2009

Importance of Education
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

In the many years of our existence, we’ve oftentimes wandered into this notion. Come to think of it, education was non-existent since the beginning of time, correct? Adam and Eve never bothered to go get a book, researched, or even deciphered brain-crushing calculus problems and trigonometric equations, right? Wrong! Through the course of time, we have evolved and part of that evolution is adaptation (which the Philippines is currently striving but makes up for in labor exports). The very basic concept of education is learning and teaching. The previous, being readily conceivable when one has attained a change in attitude and the latter being in effect efficiently after application is perceived. How do you think Fleming discovered penicillin (Alexander and not Ian)? How did Einstein formulate the theory of relativity? Will the discovery of the Kuiper’s belt and the eventual distal placement of Pluto be fathomable without education? Or will the magnificent and profound gauge of Picasso’s works and Jay-Z’s (Mrs. Beyoncé) semantics still be appealing without education? Survival, appreciation, contentment, bridging gaps, settling differences and being able to make the world a happier place to live in for all are just some of the reasons for education. As for some, they study to get a better grasp of life and the deeper meaning that it conveys (what’s your reason?). Wouldn’t you want to understand why you are where you are right now?

Diploma vs. Certificate
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

The Diplomas are intended to provide the essential knowledge and skills for young people to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work (and eventually money—yeah baby, yeah!). The Diploma prepares young people for a range of progression routes. These can be within the sector they have studied, within another sector or in general education. By following the curriculum program for a Diploma, learners can develop the knowledge, skills and attributes expected by both employers and higher education (usually agencies and employers prefer credentials obtained in a University rather than some College). Certificates are generally different than diplomas because they are given out to students who have passed a particular course of study not necessarily related to a philosophical cognition of the course requirements (it takes lesser time to finish). Certificates show that students have mastered a particular skill usually associated with a job requirement. In simple analogy, a Diploma equals a Certificate plus more.

Diplomas can offer you:

 high-quality, credible, industry-related learning
 real opportunities to practice the skills you will need for employment and higher education
 diversity, opportunity and inclusion for all learners

Most migration agencies or law firms at the instance of seeing that you only have a certificate course in some college will immediately sever your application. Most if not all accrediting bodies in countries like Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and America are looking for Diploma Courses (a Bachelor’s degree as they aptly calls it) rather than a Certificate Course (which will do you no good when you realize that you have to take a battery of tests to qualify for accreditation). This is just a heads-up on things to come for those who are planning to take that extra mile for a greener pasture (hypocrite?). Granted that you somehow passed the screening with a weak set of credentials, are your skills enough for your line of work?

Extraordinary Learning
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”

After 6 courses (Health Science, Dentistry, Orthodontics, Nursing, Care-giving, Professional Education), I am down to lucky number 7 (Special Education). In my many years of studying I have never felt an authentic sense of a family, academic achievement, love for knowledge, and fulfillment than now. If education will be quantified, we could define it as an art that encompasses all the sciences in the world and a portal for philosophy for logical explanation.

Initially I studied in the paths of Professional Education to understand better the complexities of life, man’s behavior, society, and the quest for the true meaning of intelligence. The rest is history. There are a lot of people nowadays that are taking up special education (especially doctors and even nurses). The very thought of it is cliché (I think I need an even stronger word). At first, I didn’t have a good idea of what to expect but just an erroneous concept of a field dedicated to teaching the abnormal. We are the second batch of Diploma in Special Education Program students in the Southwestern University and are composed of passionate, enthusiastic, and charismatic mix of professionals in various fields (ESL teachers, primary teachers, social workers, HRM professionals, biologists, nurses, dentists, and administrative executives). We have various reasons but we are geared towards one pursuit.

It is best to know the program that I forehand didn’t have the slightest idea on what it really offers:

SUBJECT CODE TITLE DESCRIPTION
SPED 101 Introduction This is where you will learn the basics, history, and concepts of SPED
SPED 102 Arts & Crafts A subject dedicated to the propagation of creativity & expression
SPED 103 Current Trends Keeps us updated and informed on the trends of SPED
SPED 104 Methods & Materials Tackles on the ways & means on how to dynamically present the lesson
SPED 105 Dynamics of Learning Distinguishes and correlates the different learning disabilities to their appropriate learning or teaching strategies
SPED 106 Hearing & Visually Impaired Learn sign language & Braille
SPED 107 Remediation Discusses possible interventions in math & reading remediation
SPED 108 Assessment A step-by-step series on how to assess and delegate SPED students into the system


The whole program’s duration runs for 2 semesters. The first semester is allocated to the 8 subjects (theoretical aspect) and the second semester (15 days) is allotted for the practice teaching (practicum aspect). For most of us, every weeknight was a time to look forward to. We have come to discover that we share more similarities than differences. That common ground gave us the chemistry to conquer all odds despite the rigorous challenges that the program bestows on us. There are a lot of activities to look forward to when enrolled in this diploma course. Laughter, enjoyment, and camaraderie are regular commodities. These are some of our activities:

1. Learning the American Sign Language

- We had the opportunity to communicate with people with hearing impairments personally; after we learned enough concepts to really communicate with them, we had the opportunity to interview deaf & mute students.
- The method of instruction was so practical, concise, and purpose-driven that after our first lesson we could already sign several concepts.
- In one of our sponsored seminars, we were privileged enough to perform the Lord’s Prayer, Lupang Hinirang, and SWU Hymn.
- You can view our performance at:
http://youtube.com/swusped

2. Learning Braille

- As if learning the sign language wasn’t enough, we had ample time to be adept with the Braille system of communication.
- Actual Braille slates are used to write words, then phrases, and eventually paragraphs.
- An internet based flow of instructions was used that keeps us at par with the international standards.
- One of our internet resource for Braille can be visited at:
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/

3. Making Tons of Artworks

- From papers to crayons, watercolors, and crafts; you name it we made them.

4. Series of Seminars

- There are a lot of seminars that we attended and produced for our batch alone; here are some:

 Faces of Autism Seminar
 Multicultural Education Seminar
 Physical Education in SPED Seminar
 Pre-Practicum & Post-Practicum Seminars

5. Visits and Demo Teaching at affiliated SPED Centers

- SWU Teacher’s College is affiliated with several SPED Centers that make the demo teaching or the practicum experience a painstakingly hassle-free one.
- We had the opportunity to visit these SPED centers:

 DSWD
 Guardian Angels Foundation
 Adam Jennie’s Catholic Foundation for Special Children
 K.E.E.P.

- What’s good and interesting to notice is that, when we were tasked to do our demo teaching for the first time, we had no apprehensions because we are well prepared.
- Another aspect worth noticing is the availability and hospitability of most SPED Centers to SWU Practicum students; the affiliation of SWU to lots of SPED Centers makes it comfortable and creates a good learning experience for its students.

6. Practicum Teaching

- A good quality of the practicum teaching or the whole Diploma Program is its flexibility, which is very crucial and important to students who are also working such as us.
- We can even do it to the extent of having it at our most convenient place where everything is accessible. This is especially important nowadays when the cost of living is high and at a time when we could really feel the worldwide crisis affecting us.
- This is the real deal and even though we have some minor glitches, our program has really prepared us on how to manage a special education class in particular and a special education program in general.

If we can answer the question: “What makes special education (SPED) special?” If we can unravel the answer then we have arrived at the answer to our ultimate question: “What’s special in a Diploma?” In the very first day of our lesson in Special Education, our subject teacher asked us this question. By now we know that what makes Special Education special is four-fold:

 The Learner
 The Individualized Instruction
 The Teacher
 The Curriculum

So the Diploma that you acquire can only be special depending on how it is obtained.

Is your diploma special?

You can visit us at http://swusped.blogspot.com to see more of our experience.

Posted byDoc Junhel at 1:52 AM 0 comments