World-class scholar Don Deshler is next ‘Distinguished Speaker’ Feb. 4
Updated Jan. 19, 2009
The College of Education’s second annual Distinguished Speaker Series: “21st Century Pathways in Education” resumes in early 2010 with the fourth and fifth lectures in the yearlong series, scheduled in January and February, respectively.
Be sure to SAVE THIS DATE:
Lecture #5 (2 presentations)
FEB. 4 (Thursday) @ Norman Hall
1-2:30 PM, Rm. 1331
“Keeping Colleges of Education Relevant”
Guest Speaker:
Don Deshler Distinguished Professor of Special Education and Director, University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning
SUMMARY: Faculty in colleges of education today face many unique challenges that can be viewed as opportunities depending on how, as a field, we choose to respond. As the longstanding director of the highly successful University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, Dr. Deshler knows the challenges education faculty face in ensuring that their work is viable. Over time, as the Center has developed and funding sources have changed, Deshler and his colleagues understand how an educational organization must invent and reinvent itself and what faculty in that organization will need to do to make that happen.
In his presentation, Deshler will describe some of the factors in the shifting educational landscape that are potential threats to colleges of education in extensive research institutions and some of the unprecedented opportunities that lie before us. Deshler will argue that capitalizing on these new dynamics will require an examination of our existing practices, how we currently define our roles, and how we do our work. A willingness to forge new partnerships and acquire new skill sets will be required. Significant advantages, however, will accrue to academic departments and/or colleges of education willing to make the necessary changes and take the risks involved in traveling this path.
@ P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School
4-5:30 PM, Performing Arts Center at PKY
“Using Tiered Instruction to Move the needle on Adolescent Literacy Achievement”
What are teachers and schools to do if a student reaches adolescence and is lacking some of the basic skills necessary to succeed in school? How can schools and instruction be restructured to provide the intensive instruction that these students need? These questions at the heart of research by Don Deshler and his colleagues at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning.
In his presentation, Deshler will address how the “content literacy continuum” (CLC) can be a workable framework for enhancing literacy outcomes for all adolescents in secondary schools. The CLC framework says: (1) some students require more intensive instruction of content, strategies, and skills; and (2) there are unique but very important roles for each member of a secondary staff relative to literacy instruction. Successful implementation is based on a strong staff commitment to collaboration.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Deshler is one of the nation’s preeminent researchers and scholars in adolescent literacy and special education at the secondary level. His studies explore what is needed to help struggling adolescent learners and he uses that information to develop methods and practices that teachers and schools can use to help students.
He is co-developer of the Learning Strategies Model, one of the most thoroughly researched and widely used special education teaching methods. He and his colleagues recently have shifted their focus from working with individual teachers and students to working with entire school staffs. He’s found that by taking a collaborative approach between the center and schools, they can be more effective.
Deshler received the Distinguished Education Achievement Award in 2007 from the National Center for Learning Disabilities. He received a Presidential appointment to the National Institute for Literacy advisory board in 2006. He previously received a distinguished service award from Exceptional Parent Magazine. He’s written numerous journal articles, book chapters and books on adolescent literacy and at–risk learning strategies.
Sponsors/Hosts: UFCOE/School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies (SESPECS)
FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact: Jean Crockett, director, SESPECS; 352-273-4292; crocket@ufl.edu
The College of Education is sponsoring the free Distinguished Speaker Series, with each of its three schools lining up programs throughout the 2009-10 academic year. Unless otherwise indicated, all lectures are open to any interested COE, P.K. Yonge or UF faculty and students, and to appropriate practitioners, education alumni and the general public as announced.
