Dyslexia in K-2: An Introduction to Understanding, Identifying, and Responding to Characteristics of Dyslexia in the Primary Grades

Learners will access this online, asynchronous course through the Talent Development Manager (TDM) of Blackboard, TN Center for Dyslexia’s learning management system. Learners new to the system will create a user profile by clicking on "Sign Up" in the left side menu of the TDM home screen.

Once payment has been received, learners will receive a confirmation email containing an access code. This access code will be needed to enroll in the course. 

The course includes four modules and 22 sections (or subsections):

Module 1: The Science of Reading 
Instructor: Karen Kehoe, Ph.D.
Section 1.1: Defining the Science of Reading 
Section 1.2: The Components of Reading
Section 1.3: Reading in the Brain (Instructor: Emily Farris, Ph.D.)
Section 1.4: Overview of Structured Literacy

Module 2: Overview of Dyslexia 
Instructor: Tim Odegard, Ph.D.
Section 2.1: The Evolution of Dyslexia and the Language Shift
Section 2.2: The Neurobiological Basis of Dyslexia
Section 2.3: Characteristics of Dyslexia
Section 2.4: Prevention and Risk Indicators of Dyslexia

Module 3: Screening for Dyslexia in K-2 
Instructor: Erin Alexander, Ed.S., NASP, CALT
Section 3.1: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and the Problem-Solving Model 
Section 3.2: Screening for Risk in Kindergarten
Section 3.3: Screening for Dyslexia After Kindergarten

Module 4: Intensifying Instruction and Intervening with Students with Characteristics of Dyslexia
Instructor: Melinda Hirschmann, Ed.D., CALT
Section 4.1: Cracking the Code: What’s Our Language Made Of?
Section 4.2: Getting it to Stick: Orthographic Mapping
Section 4.3: Phonological Awareness and Letter Knowledge
    4.3A: Phonological Awareness
    4.3B: Letter Knowledge
    4.3C: Intensifying Instruction: PA & LK
Section 4.4: Basic Decoding
    4.4A: Sound-Symbol Relationships
    4.4B: Word Reading Accuracy and Automaticity
    4.4C: High-Frequency Word Reading and Decodable Text 
    4.4D: Intensifying Instruction: Basic Decoding
Section 4.5: Encoding / Spelling Instruction
Section 4.6: Language Comprehension


Each module has between three and 11 sections. Each section includes a mini lecture (5-18 minutes in length), followed by a brief learning check. Learners must progress through each section in order and correctly complete the learning check before moving to the next section.  

At the end of each module, learners will take a 10-question, multiple-choice quiz, which assesses their understanding of topics covered throughout all sections in that module. Learners have three attempts to score 80% or better on each quiz. Once the learner has progressed through all 22 sections and earned a passing grade (80%+) on all four module quizzes, a certificate of completion for eight hours of professional development will be automatically generated in TDM. The learner will be able to view and download the certificate from the "Achievements" tab in their TDM Dashboard.