Education (EDUC)

Involves actual work experience with infants and toddlers that gives the student an opportunity to apply knowledge of child development theory and principles of developmentally appropriate care and education.  The course emphasizes exposing students in a practicum setting to the theories and research related to the development of infant, toddler, and two-year-old children.  Ways of providing a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment that fosters the optimum growth and development of the individual child are also examined.

Supervised Experiences with Young Children, is a pivotal practicum course designed for teacher candidates pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education.  This course offers a hands-on, immersive experience in working with young children while emphasizing the integration of child development theory, principles of developmentally appropriate education, research-based practices, and the creation of a nurturing environment for optimal learning and growth.  EDEC 3302 is an immersive early practicum experience that provides teacher candidates with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real classroom settings.  Through observation, interaction, and reflective practice, candidates will develop the skills, attitudes, and competencies necessary to become effective early childhood educators who can create engaging and developmentally appropriate learning environments for young children.  This course is a critical step toward preparing teacher candidates for the challenges and rewards of a career in education.

Child and Adolescent Guidance is a comprehensive course designed to prepare teacher candidates to work with adolescents, young adults, and their families.  This course explores the intricate web of factors affecting the lives of adolescents and equips candidates with the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective guidance and support.  Drawing from systems and ecological perspectives, neuropsychology research, and the impact of state and national policies, this course delves into the complexities of adolescence and offers evidence-based practices for nurturing resilience and addressing developmental disruptions and derailments.  EDEC 3303 aims to equip teacher candidates with a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding adolescence and the tools to navigate this critical stage of development successfully.  By exploring different perspectives, research findings, and evidence-based practices, candidates will be prepared to provide meaningful guidance, support, and intervention to adolescents, young adults, and their families within educational contexts.  This course empowers future educators to make a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.

Study of how to promote the psychomotor, social emotional, and, cognitive-language development of infants from the prenatal period through the first two years in their interactions with caregivers, peers, and the environment. This course will introduce students to the developmental and maturational theories and milestones that mark the development of the child from conception to early childhood. A holistic approach integrates the biological aspects of development with social-emotional and cultural factors, learning models, and cognitive and personality theories.

Child Development is a comprehensive course designed to provide teacher candidates with a deep and holistic understanding of child development during the critical early childhood years.  This course delves into psychomotor, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development, focusing on children from preschool through 6th grade.  Through a multidimensional approach, teacher candidates explore the physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional developmental stages of children, gaining valuable insights into their growth and learning.  Topics covered encompass brain development, family dynamics and parenting, developmental milestones, health and safety considerations, guidance and discipline strategies, cultural diversity, early childhood education, and working with children with special needs.  EDEC 3307 serves as a foundational course to prepare teacher candidates for careers involving the education and care of young children.

Development in a Cross-Cultural Perspective invites preservice teachers to explore the impact of diversity on teaching and learning.  This course delves into the multifaceted dimensions of education within a global context, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances associated with culture, identity, and diversity in educational settings.  Through engaging discussions, critical analysis, and self-reflection, preservice teachers will develop an appreciation for the complexities of diversity in education and a readiness to contribute to more inclusive and culturally responsive practices.

Covers topics from plane and solid Euclidean geometry including the properties of parallels, perpendiculars, triangles, and circles; perimeter; formulas for area of plane regions, surface area, and volume of solids.  The course provides the geometric foundation for beginning elementary school teachers incorporating the following:  spatial reasoning to investigate concepts such as directions, orientation, perspective, shape, and structure; the use of mathematical reasoning to develop, generalize, justify, and prove geometric relationships; and connections among the geometric ideas and number concepts, measurement, probability and statistics, and algebra.

Methods of Teaching Social Studies is a comprehensive course designed to equip teacher candidates with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to effectively teach social studies to elementary students.  This course centers on the fundamental elements of elementary social studies programs, including the establishment of objectives, selection of materials, organization of curriculum, and exploration of content within selected courses of study.  Teacher candidates will also delve into special methods and innovative instructional strategies, with an emphasis on adapting these methods to diverse school conditions and student populations.  This course explores significant research, reports, and contemporary trends in social studies education to ensure that candidates are well-prepared to address the evolving needs of their students.

Provides a comprehensive framework for teaching science and technology to elementary students (prekindergarten through grade 6).  The course covers foundational principles, instructional methods, and essential components like curriculum development and assessment.  Four science disciplines (physical science, life sciences, earth, and space sciences, as well as engineering, technology, and application of science) are emphasized to enhance teaching effectiveness.  Key objectives include developing teaching philosophies, appreciating the importance of science education, and understanding how students learn science.  Preservice teachers engage in hands-on science activities and discussions, fostering scientific literacy and the translation of science education theories into classroom practice.

Serves as an introductory exploration of effective mathematics teaching methods, specifically designed to cater to the diverse needs of all students, including those from non-mainstreamed populations.  The course delves into developmentally appropriate topics spanning arithmetic, geometry, algebra, probability, and statistics.  The goal is to provide preservice teachers with a solid framework for comprehending the foundational principles, key concepts, and instructional methods of mathematics in prekindergarten through 6th grade.  The course emphasizes the selection and utilization of appropriate materials and instructional techniques especially geared toward elementary education, including a focus on fostering creativity in leveraging available resources and approaches.  Participants will engage in hands-on activity-based, and workshop-based experiences in which they will have the opportunity to work with various manipulatives and educational technologies.  

Immerses preservice teachers in the dynamic world of classroom instruction, providing them with the opportunity to apply their accumulated pedagogical knowledge and skills within authentic classroom settings.  Throughout this transformative experience, participants engage in a hands-on teaching apprenticeship, working closely with experienced mentor teachers in diverse educational settings.  Preservice teachers actively participate in the planning, delivery, and assessment of instructional content, fostering a deeper understanding of curriculum development and effective teaching practices.  They explore strategies for differentiation to meet the diverse needs of students, cultivate classroom management techniques, and refine their abilities to create inclusive and equitable learning environments.  In alignment with the established standards for teacher preparation, EDEL 4311 emphasizes reflective practice as a cornerstone of professional growth.  Preservice teachers engage in ongoing self-reflection and collaborate with mentor teachers to continually refine their instructional approaches.

Builds upon the clinical teaching experiences of the previous semester.  As they continue in this critical credentialing phase, preservice teachers intensify their hands-on teaching mentorships in continued collaboration with veteran educators across varied classroom environments.  Participants take on greater responsibilities in designing, delivering, and evaluating instructional material.  They enrich their grasp on curriculum and pedagogy.  They also advance their expertise in tailoring lessons for diverse student groups, amplify their classroom management strategies, and further perfect their capacity to establish inclusive learning environments.

In line with recognized standards for teacher training, EDEL 4312 underscores the importance of self-reflection for professional development.  Preservice teachers consistently engage in introspective practices and work hand-in-hand with mentor teachers to refine their acumen as professional educators.

Instructional technology is rapidly becoming a pivotal element in K-12 education.  Students regularly engage with tech for assignments, assessments, and instruction.  Adept implementation of technology across all subjects is crucial for 21st century educators.  When applied proficiently, technology can elevate student learning, boost engagement, differentiate instruction, and enhance communication.  EDIT 3310 equips preservice teachers with strategies and skills for seamless tech integration, introducing them to productivity tools, educational software, and online resources.  Participants will build a solid understanding of the theoretical frameworks behind computer-aided learning.

Examines language and literacy development in children from infancy through third grade, including the role of English language learners and language development for exceptional learners. Students present developmentally appropriate activities in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will also understand foundational concepts, principles, and best practices related to young children's development of oral language, including second-language acquisition, and demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate, research- and evidence-based assessment and instructional practices to promote all students' development of grade-level oral language skills.

Child Development is a comprehensive course designed to provide teacher candidates with a deep and holistic understanding of child development during the critical early childhood years.  This course delves into psychomotor, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development, focusing on children from preschool through 6th grade.  Through a multidimensional approach, teacher candidates explore the physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional developmental stages of children, gaining valuable insights into their growth and learning.  Topics covered encompass brain development, family dynamics and parenting, developmental milestones, health and safety considerations, guidance and discipline strategies, cultural diversity, early childhood education, and working with children with special needs.  EDEC 3307 serves as a foundational course to prepare teacher candidates for careers involving the education and care of young children.

Explores the fundamental principles of inclusive education and differentiated instruction for special populations, focusing on strategies that enhance both academic achievement and functional performance of public school children who qualify for special education services.  Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the nature and needs of various special populations, including those with disabilities, those who are gifted and talented, and those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.  The course identifies the significant legislation, instructional strategies, and resources pertinent to inclusive education and differentiates learning experiences for these populations.  By the end of this course, preservice teachers will be prepared to foster an inclusive and diverse learning environment that adapts to individual student needs, supports their academic and functional development, and promotes a sense of belonging for all children.

The primary objective of EDTP 3303 is to familiarize students with the methods, strategies, and techniques of elementary classroom management.  Preservice teachers will learn how to create positive environments and relationships that help young children develop interpersonal skills, autonomy, and initiative to explore and learn.  Disciplinary and management models are explored in relation to the degree of teacher and student control.  The course emphasizes effective proactive, interactive, and reflective decision-making and the development of alternatives for preventing and dealing with management and discipline problems within the context of planning, implementing/managing, and evaluating cooperative learning lessons in elementary classrooms.  Preservice teachers will also be introduced to federal and state laws as they pertain to the legal procedures for working in inclusive classrooms.

Equips preservice teachers with an understanding of accountability systems, emphasizing the role of data in instructional decision-making.  Educators bear the responsibility for aligning curriculum choices with current accountability structures.  As such, it is essential that teacher candidates master the principles of assessment.  This course leverages the backward design process to equip participants with the capacity for data-driven decision-making, assessment development and analysis, and effective curriculum design.  From establishing instructional objectives to assessing students’ competencies to planning instruction, preservice teachers will become adept at various assessment techniques.  They will also hone skills in generating, interpreting, and applying educational data, ensuring they can effectively utilize diverse assessment strategies to drive both individualized and group instruction.

Equips preservice teachers with an understanding of language and literacy processes pertinent to early childhood and elementary teaching.  The course emphasizes the integration of reading and writing within content areas and offers strategies to bolster literacy development, including adaptations for diverse and exceptional learners.  Participants link literacy development with theoretical research and practical classroom applications through readings, reflections, discussion, model lessons, and projects.  The course explores how students evolve as readers and writers across academic disciplines, highlighting the interplay between reader, text, activity, and the sociocultural context of literacy.  Preservice teachers learn to leverage language and literacy development theories, the adoption of evidence-based practices, and various reading models to differentiate instruction for a variety of student needs.

Equips preservice teachers with the skills for instructional planning, management, and delivery in line with federal and state legislation regarding special populations.  Participants gain insights into addressing individual needs, integrating accommodations legally and effectively, and understanding their roles within the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).  The course offers comprehensive knowledge on serving students with disabilities from preschool to grade 6, merging information on specific disabilities with evidence-based practices.  Topics include key legislation, professional collaboration, family partnerships, Response to Intervention (RtI), assistive technology, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, as well as practical modifications and accommodations in mainstream classrooms.