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    • Special Education

    Special Education Courses Online

    Study special education for supporting students with disabilities. Learn about instructional strategies, individualized education plans, and inclusive practices.

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    Explore the Special Education Course Catalog

    • Status: Free
      Free
      R

      Relay Graduate School of Education

      Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms

      Skills you'll gain: Student Engagement, Positivity, Teaching, Education and Training, Classroom Management, Pedagogy, Curriculum Planning, Lesson Planning, Personal Attributes, Working With Children, Course Development, Growth Mindedness, Childhood Education and Development, Optimism, Research, Empowerment, Self-Awareness, Personal Development, Persistence, Rapport Building

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      943 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Psychological First Aid

      Skills you'll gain: Triage, Crisis Intervention, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Emergency Services, Psychological Evaluations, Interpersonal Communications, Mental Health, Patient Education And Counseling, Stress Management, Patient Referral

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      20K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Glasgow

      Generative AI in Education

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence, Data Ethics, Machine Learning

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      69 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of London

      What future for education?

      Skills you'll gain: Learning Theory, Teaching, Human Learning, Pedagogy, Education and Training, Higher Education, Social Sciences, Policy Analysis

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      867 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of California, Irvine

      Virtual Teacher

      Skills you'll gain: Peer Review, Instructional Design, Education Software and Technology, Parent Communication, Instructional Strategies, Student Engagement, Learning Management Systems, Student Support and Services, Teaching, Course Development, Collaborative Software, Developing Training Materials, Curriculum Development, Curriculum Planning, Blended Learning, Virtual Environment, Data Management, Performance Testing, Augmented Reality, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.3K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Cape Town

      Teaching Children with Visual Impairment: Creating Empowering Classrooms

      Skills you'll gain: Visual Impairment Education, Differentiated Instruction, Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Teaching, Special Education, Curriculum Development, Disabilities, Instructional Strategies, Education Software and Technology, Empathy, Student Support and Services, Psychosocial Assessments, Working With Children, Diversity and Inclusion, Collaboration, Social Skills

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      179 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Pittsburgh

      Disability Awareness and Support

      Skills you'll gain: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Disabilities, Instructional Design, Differentiated Instruction, Education Software and Technology, Special Education, Student Support and Services, Diversity Awareness, Higher Education, Law, Regulation, and Compliance

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      320 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress

      Skills you'll gain: Student Support and Services, Emotional Intelligence, Working With Children, School Counseling, Personal Development, Stress Management, Classroom Management, Cultural Responsiveness, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Resilience, Relationship Building

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.8K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      M

      Macquarie University

      Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education for Teachers

      Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Design Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, Creativity, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Machine Learning, Data Quality, Computer Science, Algorithms

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      853 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Commonwealth Education Trust

      Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Curriculum

      Skills you'll gain: Curriculum Development, Curriculum Planning, Teaching, Education and Training, Instructional and Curriculum Design, Course Development, Instructional Strategies, Pedagogy, Student-Centred Learning, Collaboration, Learning Theory

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      482 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Commonwealth Education Trust

      Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Teacher

      Skills you'll gain: Pedagogy, Communication Strategies, Teaching, Instructional Strategies, Course Development, Student Engagement, Working With Children, Professional Development, Self-Awareness, Cultural Diversity

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

      Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos (PAP)

      Skills you'll gain: Crisis Intervention, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Working With Children, Psychology, Stress Management, Patient Education And Counseling, Interpersonal Communications, Cultural Sensitivity

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      11K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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    1234…158

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular special education courses

    • Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms : Relay Graduate School of Education
    • Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
    • Generative AI in Education: University of Glasgow
    • What future for education?: University of London
    • Virtual Teacher: University of California, Irvine
    • Teaching Children with Visual Impairment: Creating Empowering Classrooms: University of Cape Town
    • Disability Awareness and Support: University of Pittsburgh
    • Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress: Yale University
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education for Teachers: Macquarie University
    • Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Curriculum: Commonwealth Education Trust

    Frequently Asked Questions about Special Education

    Special Education is the practice of teaching students in a way that addresses their individual differences and special needs. It’s often applied to teaching those with intellectual, mental, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, physical, and learning disabilities. It also applies to teaching students with special talents or abilities.

    In an education climate where just 17 percent of general-education teachers feel “very well prepared” to teach children with issues like ADHD and dyslexia, the need for quality Special Education skills and knowledge is very important. Teachers who focus on Special Education play an important role in advancing the confidence and success of special-needs students.‎

    There are a wide variety of opportunities available for learners interested in Special Education, from teaching to jobs in healthcare and government. Some roles include Special Education Teachers, Special Education Teacher’s Assistant, Special Education Program Coordinator, Speech Pathologist, Audiologist, Early Intervention Special Educator, Lobbyist, and related specializations.‎

    Courses on Special Education offered through Coursera provide learners with fundamental information on how various common disabilities affect areas of learning, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD); hearing, visual, and intellectual disabilities; ADHD and other learning disabilities; and more.

    Lessons in these courses are administered via lectures, readings, quizzes, reflections, and discussions.‎

    An interest in people with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities is the main prerequisite to starting to learn special education. Many people who want to work in special education already have some experience in the field of education, whether they've worked as a teacher, teaching assistant, or daycare worker. You can also gain some experience by volunteering to work with children, particularly children who have special needs. Special education teachers and specialists typically work with children of all ages, ranging from preschool through high school.‎

    People who work in special education need to be patient and even-tempered. Because you'll be working with children or adults with special needs, they may be slower or quicker than average to accomplish tasks. Creativity is also important. Children with special needs may not do well with traditional teaching methods, so you'll need to find unique ways to deliver information. You'll also need to be compassionate and accepting since you'll be working with people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. Like any type of teacher or person who works with children, you'll need to be organized, intuitive, and able to adapt to any situation. It's also important to have a calming presence. Many children, including those with special needs, are overwhelmed by the classroom environment and being away from home. Those who work in a school environment need to be willing to collaborate with a team as well. You'll be working with other teachers, teaching assistants, administrators, and parents to make sure all children receive the best possible education.‎

    Anyone who wants to work with people with special needs and is interested in working in a school setting may be suited to learn about special education. Even if you have a child in your own family with special needs, learning about special education may help you better understand them and even help them advance despite any disabilities. If you've ever thought about becoming an advocate for people with special needs, learning special education and applying it to your career or volunteer work can help you go further. If you're already a teacher or teaching assistant, and you're looking for a way to specialize or advance your career, learning special education can help add new skills to your resume and potentially find more advanced jobs in your field.‎

    Online Special Education courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Special Education skills. Choose from a wide range of Special Education courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Special Education, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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