Dyslexia Action Teacher Training Courses

Course content and structure
What students say
Who is the course for
Course award
Entry requirements
Course dates and venue
How to apply
Course fees

The Alpha to Omega (Hornsby) Open Access E-Learning Course in Dyslexia and Literacy is credit rated by the Open University as Level 4 (1st Year Undergraduate Level). This means that on successful completion of all units the Open University will permit up to 30 points at Undergraduate Level 1 (Level 4) to count towards the Open University BA/BSc degree - see details.

This open access practical course offers adults an opportunity to develop their understanding of dyslexia. Study anywhere in the world using up-to-date resources and acquire the skills and understanding to support students of all ages with dyslexia.

The training and resources will enable course participants to have a broad overview of the nature of dyslexia. It will enable participants working in support roles to offer practical tutoring support and intervention to students with dyslexia.

This course offered is run over one year.
There is an intake twice annually: Early May and early November

The aims of the course are to:

To give learners an understanding of dyslexia
To give learners an understanding of the underpinning skills for successful literacy acquisition
To give learners an insight into how their own language is structured
To provide learners with strategies to help dyslexic students and other literacy strugglers with literacy skills
To enable learners to understand and use a structured programme with a student, in a tutoring role
To enable learners to understand the behavioural and self esteem issues surrounding dyslexia and literacy failure
To equip learners to aid a struggling student with personal organisation
To equip learners to aid a struggling student with study skills
To provide learners with strategies to help dyslexic students and other strugglers with maths
To encourage learners to explore other specific learning difficulties
To give learners information on support systems in schools, FE, HE and the workplace

What students say

A really in-depth course that has provided me with the knowledge and skills to enhance the learning of not only Dyslexic pupils but children of all abilities by using multi-sensory learning. Through a sharing environment with other students I now have great resources that I can adapt to the individual learner.
Carole Longmire – May 08 cohort

The course made sense of all the disorder of learning our very complex language. No matter what else I try, I come back to the training the Hornsby Course gave me using Alpha to Omega. I am far more confident in my job which has resulted in promotion. I am often consulted now concerning Dyslexia matters and feel well informed as a result of the course. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone wanting to support struggling students with Dyslexia and associated disorders.

Nancy Stanton – May 08 cohort

Who is the course for

Teaching Assistants
Parents
Adults in support roles

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Course content and structure

There are 10 units:

Introduction to dyslexia
The Learning Skills
The structure of the English alphabetic code
Strategies for helping dyslexic students with literacy skills
Multisensory techniques: The Alpha to Omega Programme Stage 1
Multisensory techniques: The Alpha to Omega Programme Stages 2 and 3
Dyslexia: Behaviour and personal organisation skills
Strategies for helping dyslexic students with study skills
An introduction to other specific learning difficulties
Dyslexia and Maths

Assessment is continuous and will include learning journals, practical activities, lesson planning, a case study, contribution to moodle forums, writing a PowerPoint presentation and the recording and observation of a lesson on DVD. Students will be supported by a personal tutor who is an experienced practitioner in the field of dyslexia. Assignments will be submitted to the tutor on a regular basis.

Approximate study time is 8-10 hours per week over the year (this includes school holidays).

Good ICT skills are essential for this course, including:

word processing skills
e-mail
ability to access materials using PowerPoint and multi media software

All assignments will be submitted to your tutor either through the VLE, by e-mail or post.

Questions and answers about the course.

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Course award

Dyslexia Action Certificate for the Hornsby Course in Dyslexia and Literacy
You may apply for up to 30 points at Undergraduate Level 1 (Level 4) to count towards the Open University BA/BSc degree - see details

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Course entry requirements

This is an open access course but students must have:

Ability to work at A Level standard
Ability to write at A Level standard
A suitable placement where tutoring lessons can be delivered, either in an educational environment or at home. Access to a suitable student, (This cannot be a relative).
A referee who will sign to say applicant is suitable and can carry out practical assignments in their school/establishment or home

Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure is a requirement of this course for UK residents and the cost is included in the course fee. Non UK residents will need to provide copies of checks as undertaken in their country. Please click here for Dyslexia Action Training’s CRB Policy.

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Course venue and dates

Learning is entirely online through a virtual learning environment (VLE).

This is an electronic learning environment which has all the functionality to enable you to access course materials and be in constant contact with your fellow learners on a 24/7 basis.

Learners are drawn from around the world and the extensive use of asynchronous discussion forums on Moodle mean that time differences and learner locations are not in any way a barrier to learning and full participation in all course activities.

Although you will have regular assignments and tasks, this method of learning provides flexibility for you to learn in a personalised way in your own time so that you can fit studying around personal and professional commitments. There will be support from your tutor and the course team to help you with study skills and studying on-line.

Moodle is the VLE used by Dyslexia Action to deliver your course. You will log on and find:

Programme content (the units themselves)
Details of assignments
Links to on-line resources
Discussion forums (for group work and socialising)
Administrative information
Email facilities (for emailing your tutors and fellow learners)
Calendar (both personal and for your learning community members) for scheduling assignment deadlines, events etc
A chat tool (used as and when exercises require it), activities and quizzes
News items and updates

Learners must have personal access to a PC connected to the internet and a personal email address. Participation in discussions with other learners on line is a requirement of the course. A PC with Windows XP (Service Pack 2) 512 Mb RAM and internet connection (Broadband if possible) and a printer are essential.

Course dates

Tuesday 4 May 2010. The deadline for receiving applications is Monday 12 April 2010 but see the Course fees section for details of the Earlybird discount.

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Course fees

GBP1950. This fee is applicable to students throughout the world

There is an Earlybird Booking Discount of £100 if we have received your application before 27 March 2010.

This course requires compulsory use of specific books and resources. As a guideline the cost of these would be GBP150. However, many students may already have access to some of these resources. Please click here to view the book and resources list.

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