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Core Courses

EDU 6304. Interpreting Educational Research
This course teaches educators how to understand and critically evaluate educational research.  Topics include research design, ethics, sampling, measurement, reliability and validity, statistics, and both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.  Sustained attention is given to the practical application of research findings in educational settings.

EDU 6315. Diverse Learners
This course introduces students to different teaching approaches that help create equal educational opportunities for students from diverse racial, ethnic, social-class, and cultural groups. The course will provide strategies to make teaching more effective in increasingly diverse schools. Some sections of this course require Spanish proficiency.

EDU 6322. Educational and Behavioral Psychology
This course is an advanced survey of areas in psychology with direct application in schools and the educational process, including developmental psychology, learning and the brain, motivation and motivational change, and the theory and practice of testing. The emphasis is on application to real-world problems.

EDU 6384. Teach and Learn with Technology
Prepares teachers to integrate technology into their teaching in a way that enhances learning based on current research and the application of a structured model for technology integration. In addition, students learn about legal and social issues related to technology integration and plan for the integration of assistive technology to address the needs of diverse learners.

Area of Interest Module Courses

Literacy

EDU 6323. Literacy Assessment
Presents the most current understanding of literacy development and assessment based on recent research, focusing on standardized and criterion-referenced, as well as diagnostic and Curriculum-Based Measurement procedures at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Emphasis is on gathering and interpreting assessment information for making instructional decisions. Requires practicum experiences.

EDU 6363. Late Literacy Acquisition
Examines the evidence-based principles of literacy development and learning in intermediate, middle, and secondary grade reading and writing instruction (grades 3-12). Focuses on the theory, research base, and practitioner application of procedures for designing, implementing, adapting, and evaluating literacy instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Prerequisite for Reading Specialist Preparation Program: EDU 6364 and 6367.

EDU 6364. Early Literacy Acquisition I
The first of two courses that provides an in-depth examination of early literacy acquisition based on the latest research evidence. Provides teachers with knowledge essential to effectively teaching literacy to students with varying needs who are at the kindergarten to second grade developmental levels. Scientific theory about cognitive and literacy development is integrated with a deep understanding of the structure of language and applied to specific methods for teaching early literacy to students in K-2. Requires practicum experiences.

EDU 6366. Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
Prepares teachers to facilitate their students' ability to gain meaning from text and to use text as a tool for content area learning. Provides practical strategies and techniques for accommodating the academic diversity faced by today's teachers. Teachers complete the term with a deeper understanding of how to integrate reading and writing to enhance student learning of content area knowledge. Requires practicum experiences. Prerequisite EDU 6363.

EDU 6367. Early Literacy Acquisition II
The second of two courses that provides teachers with knowledge essential to teaching literacy to students with varying needs who are at the kindergarten through second grade developmental levels. Requires practicum experiences. Prerequisite: EDU 6364.

EDU 6368. Evaluating and Teaching Writing
Focuses on how to coach, assess, teach, and evaluate writing in a K-12 Response-to-Intervention framework. Teachers will learn how to assess writing and language skills, as well as learn how to apply specific evidence-based instructional practices and techniques for teaching writing and enhancing students’ writing outcomes. Requires practicum experiences.

Math

EDU 6379. Numerical Reasoning: Numbers and Operations
This course covers topics including number systems and their properties: integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers; real number line; numerical base systems; significant historical developments; decimal representation; axiomatic systems and introductory group theory; set theory; cardinality; recurrence relations; prime numbers; the fundamental theorem of arithmetic; greatest common divisors; least common multiple; division algorithm; Euclidean algorithm; introductory number theory; modular arithmetic; and problem solving. In addition to advanced mathematical content that informs elementary, middle, and secondary teaching, practical models for effectively teaching numerical reasoning, number systems, and operations for EC-12 mathematics will be discussed, as will components for developing effective mentoring relationships.

EDU 6380. Algebraic Reasoning and Patterns
This course discusses functional relationships and their properties: patterns; variable expressions; definitions and properties of functions; graphs; one-to-one; invertibility; compositions; various linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic models; the fundamental theory of algebra; algebraic applications of functions in everyday life; modeling; significant historical developments; rates of change; calculus; introductory analysis; and problem solving. In addition to advanced mathematical content that informs elementary, middle, and secondary teaching, practical models for effectively teaching students about patterns, variables and functional relationships for EC-12 mathematics will be discussed, as will components for developing effective mentoring relationships.

EDU 6381. Geometry and Measurement
This course delves into Euclidean geometry and proof: axiomatic systems; definitions, theorems, postulates, proofs; similarity; proportional reasoning; constructions; measurement; spatial reasoning; plane isometries, translations, rotations, reflections; dilations; trigonometric functions; inductive/deductive reasoning; mathematical induction; symbolic logic, proofs and invalid arguments; significant historical developments; introductory topology; coordinate geometry; vectors; matrices; introduction to non-Euclidean geometries, Elliptic and Hyperbolic; and problem solving. In addition to advanced mathematical content that informs elementary, middle, and secondary teaching, practical models and available technological tools for effectively teaching students about geometry, measurement and proof for EC-12 mathematics will be discussed, as will components for developing effective mentoring relationships.

EDU 6382. Everyday Mathematics: Probability and Statistics
This course focuses on methods of representing and analyzing data: measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion; introductory combinatorics; discrete and continuous random variables; expected value; statistical foundations; inference; random samples; properties of binomial, geometric and normal distributions; law of large numbers; central limit theorem; significant historical developments; stochastic matrices; regression; and problem solving. In addition to advanced mathematical content that informs elementary, middle, and secondary teaching, practical models and available technological tools for effectively teaching probability and statistics and overcoming common student misconceptions in EC-12 mathematics will be discussed, as will components for developing effective mentoring relationships.

Bilingual Education (Bilingual)

EDU 6312/ANTH 6311. Applied Linguistics
This course provides an introduction to basic concepts in linguistics and their application in meeting practical educational goals. It includes an emphasis on first and second language learning.

EDU 6319. Fundamentals of Bilingual Education
This course offers an examination of the history and implementation of various bilingual education program models. Particular attention is given to research of bilingual program models and issues related to recruitment, training, and retention of bilingual education teachers.

EDU 6321. Bilingualism/Biliteracy
This course provides an exploration of the theoretical foundations, methods, and materials for literacy instruction in bilingual instructional settings. Special emphasis is placed on language and literacy for students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

EDU 6339. Bilingual Content and Instruction
This course is designed for students who will be teaching in bilingual education classrooms or administering bilingual education programs.  Class participants will review current research in reading in the content areas and will strengthen their knowledge in critical content vocabulary and mechanics of spelling and writing in Spanish. Much of class lecture and discussion will take place in Spanish and knowledge of Spanish is required.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

EDU 6312 Applied Linguistics
This course provides an introduction to basic concepts in linguistics and their application in meeting practical educational goals. It includes an emphasis on first and second language learning.

EDU 6317. Culture and Community in Education
This course examines relationships between schools, families, and communities from various research perspectives. It focuses on the roles of school and community in delivering culturally-appropriate instruction and services to students from diverse backgrounds. Some sections of this course require Spanish proficiency.

EDU 6320. Language Teaching Research, Theory, and Practice
This course introduces the methodology of second language instruction with an emphasis on current research and theory of language acquisition and teaching. ESL program designs are reviewed, and classroom applications and assessments are discussed in the context of specialized ESL classrooms.

EDU 6390. Classroom Instruction and Assessment for Language Learners
This course focuses on classroom applications of ESL teaching and learning. Students will examine factors that influence English language and literacy development and will develop instructional approaches and pedagogical materials that meet the needs of English language learners.

Gifted and Talented (GT)

EDU 6325. Educating the Gifted and Talented
This course includes surveys of the history of the field, basic terminology and definitions, major models and theories, and effective program prototypes for gifted students. Students review characteristics of the gifted and talented and overview identification and assessment procedures for gifted students. Attention is given to analyzing the traits of effective teachers and counselors and to developing models for interaction with gifted students.

EDU 6347. Creativity: Theories, Models, and Applications
This course surveys the concept of creativity. Topics covered include instruments and techniques for identifying creativity, theories and models of creativity, techniques for creativity enhancement, futuristics and challenges unique to creative persons.

EDU 6388. Curriculum Development For Gifted And Talented Learners
This course builds the foundation for development of differentiated curricula for the gifted.  Students study effective teaching strategies, learn how to adapt curriculum for individual differences, study the organization of curriculum and instruction for the gifted (scope and sequence, issues related to integrated and interdisciplinary curriculum, and grouping issues). Emphasis is placed on the teaching of higher-level cognitive skills within the disciplines.

EDU 6397. Growth and Development of the Gifted
This course examines the differentiated affective characteristics and needs of the gifted, including a review of general counseling theories, effective communication skills with the gifted, and the assessment of affective needs. Students will develop strategies for assisting the gifted and developing social and interpersonal skills. Issues surrounding the potential of the gifted to achieve and make significant contributions to society as a whole are reviewed.

Special Education (SPED)

EDU 6356. Foundations of Special Education
This course focuses on educational policies, laws, and practices associated with education for individuals with disabilities. Topics cover the range of perspectives underlying school-based delivery of educational services.

EDU 6357. Assessment for Special Education
This course focuses on current educational assessment practices associated with instruction for school-age individuals with disabilities. Participants will learn to prepare, interpret, and discuss formative and summative assessments.

EDU 6389. Instructional Strategies for Intensive Intervention
This course will teach educators instructional and intervention techniques used to teach struggling readers.  Teachers will learn how to use task analysis, data based instruction, direct instruction, and other techniques across content areas in a differentiated classroom to ensure every student masters the content. 

EDU 6360. Behavioral Interventions in the Classroom
This course provides participants the principles of classroom management, both proactive and reactive, within the context of special education.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

EDU 6349. The Science of Learning and STEM
This course introduces students to the discipline of the learning sciences and to designing integrated STEM learning environments.

EDU 6350. Designing and Making in STEM Education
This course prepares students to develop classroom activities connected to STEM that promote designing and making with new and old technologies.

EDU 6383. Coding for Teachers
This course introduces students to the fundamental coding and technology skills needed to design computational computing assignments for STEM education.

EDU 6351. Community-Centered STEM Integration
This course is taught in a practicum style and involves deep engagement in extended investigations in STEM fields. Students in this course will choose a STEM topic for their “capstone project” for the STEM specialization sequence.

Elective Module Courses

Elective courses can be chosen from any specialization as long as prerequisite requirements are met.  For details, contact your advisor of the Department of Teaching and Learning or the departmental coordinator.