Education

Education Course Descriptions

*500 and 600 level courses are for the M.Ed. program. Core courses for this program are located in the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

ED 200 3 credits

Foundations of Education

Study of the historical, philosophical and social foundations of American education and their relationship to the present day. Co-Req: 206

ED 204 3 credits

Human Development and Learning

This course focuses on physical, cognitive, social, personality and moral development through the life span. Language development is addressed along with typical and atypical patterns. Culture and socio-economic status are examined as they relate to human development.

ED 206 1 credit

Field Experience I

This experience is an introduction to the teaching profession. Students will have the opportunity to observe a practicing teacher in action and work with students in the classroom. As described in the Field Experiences Handbook, this Experience is the first developmental phase which provides active observation and participation. Co-Req: ED 200

ED 208 3 credits

Health and Physical Education in the Elementary School

Study of topics related to health issues in elementary schools; activities representative of the elementary physical education program and appropriate methods for teaching them. Not open to freshmen.

ED 209 3 credits

Planning and Instruction in the Elementary Classroom

Study of research-based teaching methods and education measures required to meet the needs of students in elementary classrooms, including lesson planning and implementation, use of instructional media and materials, and the processes of teacher-student and student-teacher interaction. Course includes a schoolbased practicum (minimum of 15 hours) in which theory-related tasks are undertaken in classroom situations and students are jointly supervised by a college supervisor and a selected classroom teacher. Co-Req: ED 306 (Elementary Education Students)

ED 210 3 credits

Methods for the Elementary Inclusive Classroom

This course, along with its related field experience, will provide future teachers with knowledge and skills needed in an elementary inclusive classroom. Many of the typical methods for regular education are directed toward success for “normal” students. Major areas to be addressed include disabilities, inclusion, planning, inclusive environments, differentiating instruction, co-teaching and assessment at the elementary level. Students will acquire principles and strategies necessary for successful including al ALL students in their classrooms. Class discussions will include reflection based on field placement experiences.

ED 211 3 credits

Teaching Music in the Elementary School

Study of methods, resources, techniques and issues of music instruction by classroom teachers in the elementary school. Includes basic performance on classroom instruments, observation and lesson planning. Emphasis on cooperation with other specialists, use of readily available resources, multicultural music activities, and music in Early Childhood Education. No music experience is necessary. Satisfies Fine Arts core requirement.

ED 300 3 credits

Teaching Science in Elementary School

Strengthens content background of elementary school science teacher and models methods for presenting this content through hands-on, interactive llearning experiences. Evaluation of student outcomes is studied. Topics include: earth and universe; weather; geology; oceanography; energy, matter; life forms. Prerequisite: lab science requirement and ED 209.

ED 302 3 credits

Literacy in the Elementary Schools I – Writing

This course focuses on theoretical knowledge and practical strategies for the teaching of literacy, with an emphasis on the teaching on writing. A major segment of the course content will address the critical component of assessing students’ writing progress. Through engaging instruction experiences, the learners will explore authentic and creative writing strategies designed to improve thinking skills and communication abilities. Differentiating instruction will underpin all the course topics.

ED 306 1 credit

Field Experience II

This experience provides the candidate with the opportunity to apply theory to practice using lesson plans emphasizing small group/whole group instruction (minimum of 15 hours). Emphasis is on planning lessons and units. Field Experience II enables students to practice pre-solo teaching as they plan and teach lessons of their own in collaboration with their cooperating teachers. Co-Req ED 209 or ED 313

ED 313 3 credits

Classroom Management

This course will help students to be educational leaders who effectively manage their classrooms. It will focus on taking a pro-active approach to create a positive learning environment for all students. In addition, the course will operate from a perspective that it is the teacher’s responsibility to bring an enhanced level of professionalism and strong sense of ethical behavior to the classroom. This is manifested in the creation of effective lesson plans and appropriate communication with students, parents and administration. Various models of philosophies and motivational and instructional strategies will be reviewed as they represent this philosophy in action. Co-Req: ED 306 (Secondary Education Students); ED 416 (Elementary Education Students)

ED 314 3 credits

Teaching the Arts in Elementary School

The purpose of this course is to look at the role of art and music, specifically in the child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, musical, and creative development. The concepts of creativity and aesthetics, and their relationship to enriching the school curriculum content areas: language arts, math, science, and social studies will be explored. Topics will include teaching methods, planning and implementing dramatic play, puppetry, movement, and how to include multicultural holidays into the curriculum.

ED 330 3 credits

Curriculum Design and Assessment

An introductory course in planning and instruction and the subsequent measurement and evaluation of instruction. The secondary student will be introduced to lesson planning, instructional strategies, unit planning, and techniques for preparing teacher-made tests and interpreting standardized tests. ED 330 will acquaint the student with the relationship between lesson planning and assessment and its relation to the teaching process.

ED 333 3 credits

Literacy Methods for Secondary Inclusive Classroom

This course is concerned with helping adolescents become more skillful with reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and performing in all content areas. Participants will explore strategies and methods to effectively improve literacy skills of secondary students within the context of demanding subject matter classes. Course content will include strategies to address students with special educational needs, English language learners and other diverse learning styles.

ED 400 3 credits

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment and Evaluation is an introductory course in measurement and evaluation in education. It is an attempt to acquaint the student with the relationship between assessment and the teaching process. The student will be introduced to the testing process in schools, techniques for preparing teachermade tests and interpreting standardized tests.

ED 402 3 credits

Professional Seminar

This capstone experience is designed to merge the practical experience of teaching with the theoretical aspects of the college classroom. The professional seminar will focus on the students’ cumulative knowledge and experiences in basic education classrooms. Students will also complete a separate school-based field experience. A portfolio, which includes a philosophy of education, experiences, artifacts and reflections, will be required. Co-req: ED 426 Elementary education students)

ED 403 3 credits

Literacy in the Elementary Schools II – Reading

This course focuses on theoretical knowledge and practical strategies for the teaching of literacy, with an emphasis on the teaching of reading. However, because of the inextricable nature of the reading and writing processes, there will be time devoted to the writing component of literacy learning. Through engaging instructional experiences, the learners will explore authentic and creative writing strategies designed to improve thinking skills and communication abilities. Differentiating instruction will underpin all the course topics.

ED 404 3 credits

Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School

Study of content, methods and materials for helping elementary school students develop mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. Emphasis on strategies that take into account students’ developmental levels and need for active participation in the learning process. Includes assessment of student outcomes. Prerequisites: ED 209 & 210.

ED 413 3 credits

Children’s Literature for Elementary Teachers

Study of traditional and contemporary literature for children in elementary grades and techniques for teaching and evaluating creative activities in the
language arts program. Prerequisites: SPE 211, ED 302, and ED 403.

ED 416 1 credit

Field Experience III

This experience provides opportunity to observe and participate in implementing classroom management strategies in the local school sites. It will include supervised observation and teaching with an emphasis on management skills. Co-Req ED 313 for Elementary Education students; ED 430-434 for Secondary Education students

ED 426 1 credit

Field Experience IV

This experience provides the elementary education student with the opportunity to apply theory to practice in learning, motivation and development through lesson plans, assessment and management. There will be supervised observation and teaching in local school sites with an emphasis on teaching individual lessons. Co-Req ED 402 (Elementary Education students)

ED 430 3 credits

Methods of Teaching Secondary English

This course will focus on the study of research-based teaching methods and the educational measures required satisfying the PDE Standards for teacher
certification. The student will demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply models of instructional approaches and to apply learning assessments in the areas of literature, reading skills, writing and language development. All instruction will be designed to meet the needs of diverse learners. Co-req: ED 416

ED 431 3 credits

Methods of Teaching Secondary Social Studies

Study of research-based teaching methods and education measures required to meet the needs of students in social studies classrooms, including lesson planning and implementation, use of instructional media and materials, and the processes of teacher-student and student-teacher interaction. Co-req: ED 416

ED 432 3 credits

Methods of Teaching Business, Computer and Information Technology

This comprehensive course is designed to present the theory and methodology to develop, teach and evaluate instructional lessons and units relating to business subjects including accounting, business laws, career development, communication, computation, economics and personal finance, entrepreneurship, information technology, international business, management, and marketing. Students will learn about establishing and administering advisory committees, business clubs, and work experiences. Applications are appropriate to the elementary, middle and high school settings. Co-req: ED 416

ED 433 3 credits

Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics

Comprehensive study of how to plan and deliver instruction in the areas of mathematics that is taught in today’s secondary schools. Topics include lesson planning and implementation use of instructional media and materials including mathematical computer software, and learning theories in mathematic education. Co-req: ED 416

ED 434 3 credits

Methods for Teaching Secondary Science

A comprehensive study of how to plan and deliver instruction in the areas of science that are taught in today’s secondary schools. Topics include lesson planning and implementation, use of instructional media and materials including science computer software. Learning theories are integrated. Co-req: ED 416

ED 470 10 credits

Student Teaching

Classroom instruction of early childhood, elementary, secondary, and/or special education students during a fourteen-week period. Prerequisite: Completion of all other coursework and Praxis Tests. Co-requisite:

ED 472 2 credits

Student Teaching Seminar

Provides guidance in clinical experiences as well as review of current educational research and issues related to professional development. Corequisite: ED 470.