Early Childhood Education

Course Objectives: This course focuses on Early Childhood Development and Education, covering topics such as learning styles, developmentally appropriate practice, nurturing relationships with children, and understanding learning environments and instruction. The course emphasizes holistic education that is grounded in developmental psychology theory. This course is designed to foster creative, critical thinking skills through engaging activities and discussion, case studies, and independent research. Participants will have the opportunity to design a learning environment for young learners and create a learning plan tailored to the developmental needs of a specific child. Through this process, they will learn how to utilize current research on Early Childhood Development, Education, and Instruction in their own practice as an educator. Learning Objectives:

• Understand how various factors affect early childhood development
• Evaluate different approaches to practices from theoretical perspectives
• Examine the importance of relationships between parents/caregivers and their young children
• Develop a strong foundation for creating positive learning environments for children
• Describe effective strategies for teaching and promoting child success in early childhood settings
• Analyze the impact of early childhood education on later educational success
• Apply research-based practices to the design and implementation of effective instruction for young learners
• Recognize ethical considerations in working with children, families, and educators in early childhood settings
• Reflect upon their own roles as instructors and advocates of young children
• Identify resources that can be used to support their own professional development in Early Childhood Education

Fundamentals Classroom Course Description: This online course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of classroom management. Through this course, participants will gain an understanding of the key components of effective classroom management and learn how to create a positive learning environment for students. Participants will also be introduced to strategies for developing routines, fostering classroom community, managing disruptions, and building student relationships. Course Objectives:

• Understand the key components of effective classroom management
• Develop strategies for creating a positive learning environment
• Learn how to establish warm-up routines and seating arrangements
• Gain an understanding of how to foster classroom community
• Develop skills for managing disruptions in the classroom
• Explore ways to build student relationships
• Learn how to integrate Google into the classroom
• Understand how to create courses, organize classwork, distribute assessments, and provide feedback using Google tools
• Identify resources for developing routines and fostering classroom community
• Analyze videos on fundamentals of classroom assessment principles

Learning and Cognition in Education

Course Description: This online course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of current research and theory related to learning and cognition in education. Participants will explore topics such as constructivism, information processing theory, memory systems, problem-solving strategies, motivation, and creativity. The course will also review strategies for teaching and learning in the classroom setting while helping participants develop an understanding of how cognitive processes influence student behavior. Course Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of learning theories such as constructivism
• Learn about information processing theory and its implications for instruction
• Understand the different types of memory systems and their impact on learning
• Explore effective problem-solving strategies to help learners apply knowledge
• Gain an understanding of how motivation impacts learning
• Acquire skills for fostering meaningful creative experiences in the classroom
• Learn best practices for teaching with cognitive principles in mind
• Understand how students learn from errors when engaged in problem-solving tasks
• Discover ways to create a motivating learning environment that supports student progress
• Examine techniques for improving learner self-regulation skills in the classroom setting

Observation and Assessment Course Description: This course will provide an introduction to observation and assessment in early childhood education. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of observation and assessment, including how to observe children, gather objective documentation data, plan for children's development and learning, use observational assessments, and understand the power of observations. Course Objectives:

• Understand the importance of observation and assessment in early childhood education
• Learn how to observe children effectively
• Gather objective documentation data to be accountable for actions taken
• Develop plans that support a child's development and learning
• Use observational assessments to evaluate the performance
• Recognize the power of observations in understanding a child's needs and interests
• Become familiar with formal and informal observation methods
• Utilize observations to assess and enhance learning and development in children
• Gain an understanding of the skills necessary for conducting good observations
• Learn how historically teachers have used observations as part of their practice

Educational Leadership

Course Description: This online course is designed to help school leaders explore educational leadership and develop the skills necessary to become successful in their roles. Through critical thinking, participants will gain an understanding of different leadership styles, best practices, and strategies for making meaningful changes in their school or organization. Course Objectives:  

• Understand the fundamentals of educational leadership
• Analyze different leadership styles and determine which is most effective for a given situation
• Develop strategies for creating a vision and mission statement for your school or organization
• Learn how to effectively manage staff and resources
• Gain knowledge on how to create a positive learning environment
• Explore ways to foster collaboration among staff members
• Identify strategies for engaging students in learning activities
• Develop communication skills necessary for successful leadership roles
• Learn how to evaluate performance and provide feedback to staff members
• Understand the importance of self-reflection in order to improve as a leader