All courses are three semester hours.
Current research and trends in education. The course is designed to involve the student, through independent research and seminar-type discussion, in an analysis of significant contemporary issues in education.
A course in advanced educational psychology designed to develop deeper understanding of human development and learning. The course examines the contributions of major developmental theorists. A life course perspective is employed.
The psychological implications for teaching gifted and/or cognitively and disabled children. Problems of the blind, the deaf, those defective in speech, and those with behavior problems are considered
This course teaches competencies related to the instructional needs of students for whom English is not their first language. It will explore the language, culture, standards-based instruction, assessment, and professionalism needed to understand and teach linguistically diverse learners.
This course examines the problems, issues and theories in teaching emergent through transitional readers from a socio-psycholinguist perspective. It includes studying the role of both the home and school in literacy development, examining factors that influence reading comprehension, exploring informal and formal assessment tools, and selecting strategies to foster young children’s continued growth in reading and writing. Special emphasis is placed on investigating the three language cueing systems. A 10-hour tutoring experience is required.
This course focuses on the psycholinguistic development of an independent reader. Issues that students encounter on a literacy continuum from middle school, through high school and into adulthood are examined. Strategies for improving reading and writing, fostering interpretive, critical, and creative readers and promoting interest in reading are considered. Particular attention is given to the reading problems and skills needed when using informational texts in the content areas. A 10-hour tutoring experience is required.
This course is an in-depth study of the genres of literature for children and young adult literature. Discussion concerning the importance of fiction and non-fiction works in the elementary through high school classroom and the roles they play in student learning are pursued. Special attention is given to the examination of books that are reviewed in the literature and found especially noteworthy. The usefulness of literacy grants to support literacy learning is explored as well.
Instruction in the use of formal and informal methods of literacy assessment for emergent through independent readers with emphasis on readers with special needs as well as gifted readers
This course enables literacy specialists and administrators to collaboratively investigate various methods for organizing and evaluating reading programs. Assessing literacy materials, programs, and state and national standards for the elementary and secondary classroom is a central focus. Working with struggling readers enables graduate students to explore comprehension as a meaning-making process and study ways to increase parental involvement. A 10-hour tutoring or supervising experience with teachers, parents, and administrators is required.Prerequisite:Minimum of one other reading specialist course.
This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the characteristics of students with learning and behavior problems with respect to factors that influence the instructional environment while providing classroom management theory and practical applications for students who have special needs. Applied Behavior Analysis methods will be analyzed and programs for implementation examined.
This course is designed to provide specific instructional reading techniques and strategies to assist the learner who has been identified as being at-risk for failure due to poor reading skills or as having special needs. Students will examine literature and programs related to reading and the student with special needs.
The focus of the course is on the analysis of legislation, litigation, and administrative rulings related to special education. The course will emphasize the development of legally sound policies and procedures to ensure an appropriate education for students with disabilities
The course will emphasize the development and implementation of assessment procedures for students who have disabilities. Graduate students will become familiar with a variety of assessment instruments and techniques to administer to effectively evaluate children who have disabilities in PreK-8 settings.
This course is designed to provide practical application of knowledge about learners who have high incidence disabilities and learners who have low incidence disabilities. Theory, best practices, regulations, and research as related to a practicum component in PreK-8 schools working with students who have special needs in a classroom setting will be examined. The goal of the course is to assist future special educators to prepare for the unique role of a teacher in a field that is rapidly changing as a result of shifts in public school policies, school reform, questions of efficacy, limitations of resources, teacher roles and expectations, and advocacy.