- Understand key principles of instructional design
- Design effective lesson plans
- Develop assessments
- Create rubrics for evaluation
- Motivate students
- Analyze existing curricula
- Promote critical thinking
- Deliver effective verbal instruction
- Utilize technology-based education
- Apply educational psychology to various disciplines
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Orientation to Teaching Course Description: This online course provides an introduction to the foundations of teaching, including principles of pedagogy and instructional design. It covers basic concepts, such as theories of learning, curriculum development, student motivation, and assessment. You will learn about different techniques used in planning lessons and activities as well as how to develop a deeper understanding of best practices for teaching. You will also gain an understanding of how to apply your knowledge of educational psychology to other areas such as classroom management and technology-based instruction. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of effective teaching practices while learning practical skills such as designing lesson plans, developing assessments, creating rubrics for evaluating student work, and delivering effective verbal instruction. This course is ideal for those who are new to teaching or are interested in pursuing a path involving more advanced topics in the subject. Course Objectives: -
Phonics
Course Description: This online course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of phonics, including basic rules and strategies for reading and writing. It covers key concepts, such as word structure, decoding skills and pronunciation. You will learn about different techniques used in learning how to pronounce new words as well as how to apply a deeper understanding of English language phonetics to areas such as spelling, grammar, and fluency. You will also gain an understanding of how to apply your knowledge on phonics-based instruction to other academic subjects. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, videos, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of phonics while learning practical skills such as identifying sound-letter correspondences, analyzing syllable patterns in words, and applying appropriate instructional strategies. This course is ideal for those who are new to teaching phonics or are interested in pursuing a path involving more advanced topics in the subject. Course Objectives:- Recognize sound-letter relationships
- Apply letter combinations
- Analyze vowel sounds
- Identify syllable types
- Explain English orthographic conventions
- Develop decoding skills
- Utilize effective instruction strategies
- Identify commonly confused letters
- Interpret inflectional endings
- Construct multi-syllabic words
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Children's Literature
Course Description: This online course provides an introduction to the world of children's literature, including an overview of key authors, genres, and movements. It covers main concepts, such as reading development, formative assessment, and global diversity in storytelling. You will learn about different techniques used in evaluating books for content and quality as well as how to apply a deeper understanding of children’s literature conventions to areas such as reading aloud and facilitating book discussions. You will also gain an understanding of how narratives can be used to support instruction in various subject areas. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, videos, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of children's literature while learning practical skills such as selecting appropriate texts, evaluating books based on criteria set by Common Core standards, discussing author’s craft with students, leading meaningful conversations around a text and comparing different cultural interpretations. This course is ideal for those who are new to teaching children’s literature or are interested in pursuing a path involving more advanced topics in the subject. Course Objectives:- Define key terms related to children's literature
- Analyze differences between written texts
- Assess books based on Common Core Standards
- Compare author’s craft from different genres
- Select appropriate texts
- Develop strategies for reading aloud
- Foster meaningful discussions around a text
- Utilize storytelling to support instruction
- Examine the influence of culture on storytelling
- Apply elements of narrative structure
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Arts and Humanities (K-5)
Course Description: This online course provides an introduction to the study of arts and humanities at the kindergarten to fifth-grade level. It covers key concepts, such as literature, music, art, and culture. You will learn about different techniques used in expressing creative ideas through visual media as well as how to apply a deeper understanding of symbolism and metaphor to areas such as storytelling and music. You will also gain an understanding of how cultures influence art forms around the world. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, videos, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of arts and humanities while learning practical skills such as leading meaningful conversations around artwork, evaluating stories based on cultural perspectives, analyzing musical structure, comparing different visual styles between works of art, developing instructional strategies for making connections between subjects and fostering creativity in the classroom. This course is ideal for those who are new to teaching arts and humanities or are interested in pursuing a path involving more advanced topics in the subject. Course Objectives:- Define key terms related to arts and humanities
- Analyze differences between artistic styles
- Evaluate stories based on cultural perspective
- Explain the musical structure
- Compare visual styles across works of art
- Develop strategies for reading aloud
- Lead meaningful conversations around the artwork
- Utilize storytelling to support instruction
- Examine the influence of culture on artistic expression
- Apply elements from multiple disciplines
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Educational Policy DevelopmentCourse Description: This course provides an introduction to the field of educational policy development with special emphasis on theoretical and conceptual analyses of the behavior and attitudes of education's stakeholders and the policy performance of educational systems.Learning Objectives:- Have become more familiar with perspectives on policy and governance, more knowledgeable about the evolution of the policies of higher education, and aware of major conflicting social values that form the basis of the policies of American higher education
- Be able to use alternative conceptual frameworks and theories, i.e., political culture, interest groups, conflict, power and educational reform/change in explaining political behavior in higher educational settings
- Know who the key actors and agencies are and what they do to translate demands and resources into policies and decisions affecting American higher education
- Understand the process by which policies, decisions and actions are made in higher education institutions
- Be able to evaluate policy issues
- Apply what has been learned to work settings and institutional environments
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Ethics in Education
Course Description: This course explores legal and ethical issues that arise in elementary and secondary schools. It helps school leaders think through questions of educational policy and ethics that legal disputes raise but don’t resolve. Topics include liability for student injury, due process, search and seizure, staff appraisal, employment discrimination, church/state conflicts, control over the curriculum, the expression of controversial views, legal and ethical issues related to the financing and adequacy of state school finance plans, and the schools’ authority to make rules governing student and teacher conduct. The course also reviews ethical issues related to equal opportunity, including school desegregation, bilingual education, sexual discrimination and harassment, privacy issues, affirmative action, and the education of exceptional children. This online course covers key concepts, such as ethical decision-making, codes of conduct, ethical reasoning, and accountability. You will learn about different techniques used in determining the best courses of action based on ethical considerations as well as how to apply a deeper understanding of moral principles and values to areas such as resolving disputes and creating effective policies. You will also gain an understanding of how power dynamics in educational institutions can impact behavior and decision-making. Learning Objectives:- Understand the difference between ethics and the law
- Think through questions of educational policy and ethics that legal disputes arise
- Explore issues in contemporary educational issues
- Define key terms related to ethics in education
- Examine moral principles & values
- Identify biases when making decisions
- Balance autonomy & obligation
- Develop strategies for managing complex dilemmas
- Analyze conflicting perspectives
- Lead meaningful conversations
- Utilize effective communication techniques
- Examine the power dynamics of educational institutions
- Apply ethical principles from multiple disciplines
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Diversity and Higher Education
Course Description: This course examines diversity in institutions of higher education from both a theoretical and historical framework. It will provide a foundation for examining policy and practice by the study of key concepts in human diversity, legislation and case studies. Best practice assessment methods are explored within the context of multicultural pedagogy.Prerequisite: Graduate Program in EducationLearning Objectives:- Develop an understanding of the history of diversity and the current state of access in American higher education
- Have a deeper understanding of the experiences of “Dominant and Non-Dominant” students, and the effect of diverse learning environments on the student outcomes
- Develop an understanding of implications for higher education and generate ideas for addressing those implications
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Nature and Needs of Middle-Grade Learners
Course Description: This online course provides an introduction to the nature and needs of middle-grade learners. It covers key concepts, such as cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. You will learn about different techniques used in understanding how middle-grade students think, act and learn as well as how to apply a deeper understanding of the unique characteristics associated with this age group. You will also gain an understanding of the various contexts that influence their growth and learning potential. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of the needs of middle-grade students while learning practical skills such as recognizing early warning signs regarding student behavior and motivation, implementing instructional strategies for diverse groups of students, fostering a positive classroom culture & climate for learning, responding supportively when facing challenging situations with students and examining external factors that shape academic performance. This course is ideal for those who are new to teaching middle-grade learners or are interested in pursuing a path involving more advanced topics in the subject. Course Objectives:- Analyze cognitive, social & physical development
- Examine emotional growth
- Recognize early warning signs & intervene appropriately
- Implement instructional strategies for diverse student groups
- Foster positive classroom culture
- Address challenging situations with students
- Utilize effective communication
- Identify external influences on academic performance
- Assess student learning & progress
- Leverage technology to facilitate learning
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Intercultural and Cosmopolitan Learning Course Description: This online course provides an introduction to the study of intercultural and cosmopolitan learning. It covers key concepts, such as cultural awareness, communication with diverse populations, building bridges between different cultures, and embracing diversity. You will learn about different techniques used in developing knowledge and skills related to cross-cultural collaborations as well as how to apply a deeper understanding of culture-sensitive practices to foster inclusion. You will also gain an understanding of how working collaboratively across cultures can lead to innovative approaches and long-term solutions. Through interactive lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments you will develop your knowledge of intercultural and cosmopolitan learning while learning practical skills such as recognizing bias & stereotypes in interpersonal interactions, adapting teaching materials & approaches for diverse settings, creating safe organizational environments for intercultural connections, engaging stakeholders in ethical decision making processes and engaging in meaningful dialogue when dealing with complex issues. This course is ideal for those who are new to examining intercultural matters or are interested in pursuing a path involving more advanced topics in the subject. Course Objectives:- Describe key principles & practices related to intercultural learning
- Examine cultural awareness & communication strategies
- Develop bridge-building skills
- Develop strategies for fostering inclusion
- Adapt teaching materials & approaches
- Recognize bias & stereotypes
- Create safe organizational environments
- Engage stakeholders in ethical decision-making
- Engage in meaningful dialogue
- Use problem-solving processes with an intercultural lens
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Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child Course Description: This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthier lives. The course will cover topics such as nutrition, exercise, mental health, safety in the home, school, and workplace, and more. Course Objectives:- Understand the basics of nutrition and how it affects overall health
- Learn how to create a balanced diet that meets individual needs
- Identify different types of exercise and their benefits for physical health
- Develop strategies for managing stress and improving mental health
- Understand safety protocols in the home and school environment
- Recognize potential hazards in the home or school environment and take steps to reduce the risk of injury or illness
- Learn how to recognize signs of illness or injury in oneself or others and take appropriate action if necessary
- Develop an understanding of first aid techniques for common injuries or illnesses, including CPR certification if applicable to local laws/regulations/standards/guidelines)
- Understand the importance of regular medical checkups and preventive care measures such as vaccinations when applicable)
- Understand how lifestyle choices can affect overall health, safety, and well-being over time (e.g., smoking cessation)