Weaving Experiential Education into a Preservice Special Education Course: The Klutz Experience.

Overview & Synopsis

An action research study examined the use of an extensive experiential assignment to introduce preservice elementary teachers to the field of special education. The study documents the use of 58 students' experiences in a difficult learning situation and investigates the transference of this learning experience to course content on individualizing a program for special needs students. Results indicated that students who do the "Klutz Experience" develop empathy for the struggles of special education students and also learn how to write an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), use alternative assessments, and motivate and support special education students. Findings suggest a way to alter the isolation of course content and to help avoid the objectification of special education as "other." (Contains 12 references.) (Author/BT)