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    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

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy

      Skills you'll gain: Pedagogy, Education and Training, Teaching, Blended Learning, Human Learning, Differentiated Instruction, Higher Education, Instructional Strategies, Education Software and Technology, Cultural Diversity, Lifelong Learning, Curriculum Development, Visionary, Student Engagement, Adaptability, Collaboration

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      318 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • N

      Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

      Motivating Gen Z Learners: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know

      Skills you'll gain: Growth Mindedness, Motivational Skills, Learning Strategies, Interactive Learning, Student Engagement, Self-Motivation, Learning Theory, Needs Assessment, Instructional Strategies, Behavior Management, Psychology

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      336 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      K

      Kennesaw State University

      AI for Education (Intermediate)

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

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      10 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      E

      EDHEC Business School

      Introduction to EdTech

      Skills you'll gain: Education Software and Technology, Data Ethics, Emerging Technologies, New Business Development, Innovation, Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Investments, Strategic Decision-Making

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      78 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing

      Skills you'll gain: Behavior Management, Positive Behavior Support, Parent Communication, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Communication, Child Development, Stress Management, Conflict Management, Problem Solving

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.1K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      E

      Erasmus University Rotterdam

      Assessment in Higher Education: Professional Development for Teachers

      Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Higher Education, Instructional Design, Program Standards, Planning, Reliability, Analytical Skills, Decision Making

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      404 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)

      Learning to Teach Online

      Skills you'll gain: Education Software and Technology, End User Training and Support, Technical Communication, Quality Assurance, Innovation, Digital Transformation, Emerging Technologies, Digital Communications

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Learning, Knowledge, and Human Development

      Skills you'll gain: Education Software and Technology, Child Development, School Psychology, Pedagogy, Human Development, Higher Education, Learning Theory, Psychology, Student Engagement, Social Sciences

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      255 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • I

      IBM

      People and Soft Skills for Professional and Personal Success

      Skills you'll gain: Active Listening, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Presentations, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Interpersonal Communications, Teamwork, Conflict Management, Creative Problem-Solving, Constructive Feedback, Creative Thinking, Root Cause Analysis, Virtual Teams, Social Skills, Professional Development, Public Speaking, Persuasive Communication, Client Services, Ability To Meet Deadlines, Verbal Communication Skills

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • S

      Stanford University

      AI in Healthcare

      Skills you'll gain: Feature Engineering, Healthcare Ethics, Pharmaceuticals, Data Ethics, Clinical Research, Clinical Data Management, Health Systems, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Medical Records, Unstructured Data, Health Care, Patient Evaluation, Health Informatics, Data Mining, Statistical Machine Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Electronic Medical Record, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence, Health Technology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.1K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • V

      Vanderbilt University

      Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Productivity, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Brainstorming, Problem Solving, Application Development, Collaboration

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.7K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      Università di Napoli Federico II

      English Intermediate B1

      Skills you'll gain: Presentations, Business Communication, Business Correspondence, English Language, Verbal Communication Skills, Negotiation, Business Writing, Interviewing Skills, Data Visualization, Communication, Vocabulary, Report Writing, Language Competency, Education and Training, Literacy, Oral Comprehension, Grammar, Language Learning, Interpersonal Communications, Environmental Issue

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      339 reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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

    • New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy : University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Motivating Gen Z Learners: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
    • AI for Education (Intermediate): Kennesaw State University
    • Introduction to EdTech: EDHEC Business School
    • Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing: Yale University
    • Assessment in Higher Education: Professional Development for Teachers: Erasmus University Rotterdam
    • Learning to Teach Online: UNSW Sydney (The University of New South Wales)
    • Learning, Knowledge, and Human Development : University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • People and Soft Skills for Professional and Personal Success: IBM
    • AI in Healthcare: Stanford University

    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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