Education Course Descriptions
EDUC1111 The Great American Experiment: Education for All in a Diverse Society (SA)
This course is a comprehensive overview of the historical, philosophical and societal foundations of American education. Issues of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and learning differences are highlighted within the context of the positive and negative impact the schools have on society.
Fall and spring semester. 4 credits
EDUC1112 The Great American Experiment: Education for All in a Diverse Society (SA)
This course provides the same comprehensive overview of the historical, philosophical and societal foundations of American education and, in addition, engages students in a service learning component working directly with children and adolescents through placements in schools and programs that serve school age children.
Fall and spring semester. 4 credits
EDUC2211 Elementary Curriculum, Assessment and Instructional Design for Diverse Learners I
This course is designed to provide students with the background and practical skills related to the curriculum planning process for grades 1-6. Students will explore a variety of learning styles and instructional methods in meeting the needs of all students. Course objectives include examining the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, their development and impact on student learning, and ways to implement the frameworks in instruction and assessment.
Fall semester. 4 credits
Prerequisite: PSYCH1401, EDUC1111
EDUC2212 Elementary Curriculum, Assessment and Instructional Design for Diverse Learners II
This course is a sequel to Part I. Students will apply the theories and skills developed in the first course. Through site placements in local, urban elementary schools, students will regularly observe various pedagogical practices and reflect on their observations, as well as share in small group and whole class discussions. Course objectives include implementing the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks in instruction and assessment as they relate specifically to student achievement and expected student outcomes.
Spring semester. 4 credits
Pre-practicum field-based experience
Prerequisites: EDUC2211 and successful completion of the Communication and Literacy MTEL
EDUC2311 Secondary Curriculum, Assessment and Instructional Design for Diverse Learners I
This course is designed to provide students with the background and practical skills related to the curriculum planning process for grades 8-12. Students will explore a variety of learning styles and instructional methods in meeting the needs of all students. Course objectives include examining the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks, their development and impact on student learning, and ways to implement the frameworks in their instruction and assessment.
Fall semester. 4 credits
Prerequisites: PSYCH1401, EDUC1111
EDUC2312 Secondary Curriculum, Assessment and Instructional Design for Diverse Learners II
This course is a sequel to Part I. Students will apply the theories and skills developed in the first course. Through site placements in local, urban high schools, students will regularly observe various pedagogical practices and reflect on their observations, as well as share in small group and whole class discussions. Course objectives include implementing the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks in instruction and assessment as they relate specifically to student achievement and expected student outcomes.
Spring semester. 4 credits
Pre-practicum field-based experience
Prerequisites: EDUC2311 and successful completion of the Communication and Literacy MTEL
EDUC3211 Literacy and Literacy Methods I
This course will introduce students to theories and current practice in literacy teaching and learning focusing on young learners. Course topics will include organizing and managing literacy instruction, current assessment practices in literacy, and the components of a literacy program in reading, writing and word study. Students will learn a variety of instructional techniques for reading, writing, oral language development, vocabulary development, spelling and phonics, and differentiated instructional strategies to meet the needs of English language learners and diverse populations of learners.
Fall semester. 4 credits
Prerequisite: EDUC2212
EDUC3212 Literacy and Literacy Methods II
This course is a continuation of Literacy and Literacy Methods I. The course will reinforce and extend student knowledge and understanding of the theories and current practices in literacy teaching and learning that were introduced in Literacy and Literacy Methods I. Course topics will include organizing and managing literacy instruction, current assessment practices in literacy, and the components of a literacy program in reading, writing and word study at the intermediate elementary level (grades 3-6). Students will learn a range of instructional techniques for reading, writing, oral language development, vocabulary development, spelling, grammar and usage and differentiated instructional strategies to meet the needs of English language learners and diverse populations of learners.
Spring semester. 4 credits
Pre-practicum field-based experience
Prerequisite: EDUC3211
EDUC3213 Mathematics Methods
This course will introduce students to current, research-based practices in the instruction of mathematics at the elementary level. Through readings, hands-on activities, observations and the design and presentation of lessons, students will develop understanding of and skill in inquiry-based mathematics teaching and learning which focuses on problem solving. Students will also explore the use of technology and manipulatives in mathematics teaching and techniques for integrating and reinforcing literacy skills, especially reading and vocabulary development.
Fall and spring semester. 4 credits
Pre-practicum field-based experience
Prerequisite: MATH1122 and EDUC2212
EDUC3214 Science and Social Studies Methods
This course will introduce students to topics, concepts and current practice in the teaching of science and social studies at the elementary level. The course will address instructional strategies that promote higher order thinking skills, design of instruction to accommodate multiple intelligences, and interdisciplinary lesson design. Students will explore a range of technology programs and applications for science and social studies and become familiar with the grade-appropriate content standards in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for science and social studies.
Spring semester. 4 credits
Prerequisite: EDUC2212
EDUC3311 Secondary Methods: Classroom Management
This course will be a study of different approaches to classroom management in the high school and assist students in developing their skills in classroom management. Developing competencies in various approaches to classroom management as well as questions concerning goals, curriculum, discipline, motivation and instructional methods are addressed. Students will be taught current computer technology to assist in effective management.
Fall semester. 4 credits
Pre-practicum field-based experience
Prerequisites: EDUC2312
EDUC3312 Secondary Methods: Strategies for Teaching
Students study and demonstrate teaching methods unique to their area of concentration and as they apply to the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework. Students will demonstrate competency as effective teachers by using various teaching tools to critique their own teaching style, i.e., videotaping and video conferencing. Students will develop lesson plans in their area and prepare these electronically on a web page.
Spring semester. 4 credits
Pre-practicum field-based experience
Prerequisites: EDUC3311
EDUC4467 Student Teaching Practicum
Supervised student teaching in elementary or secondary classes provides the opportunity for experience in all aspects of teaching and provides students with understanding of the culture of schools as institutions.
Fall semester. 10 credits
Prerequisites: All education program courses and successful completion of all required Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure
EDUC4468 Student Teaching Capstone Seminar
This seminar examines the educational issues that grow out of the daily student teaching experience in elementary and secondary classrooms. It is designed to accompany and enhance the practicum experience.
Fall semester. 2 credits
EDUC4469 Capstone Seminar/Electronic Teaching Portfolio Development (Elementary)
This course will assist students in reviewing effective teaching through discussions of their student teaching practicum experience. The course will explore how instructional technologies can be used for teaching and learning and will demonstrate technology as a research tool to enhance learning. Specific topics to be explored include: effective teaching practices, social issues in computing, the technology planning process, web page design, and e-portfolio development. The course, which will be partially online, addresses the regulations outlined for Instructional Technology standards issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education and the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE).
Spring semester. 2 credits
Prerequisite: EDUC4467
EDUC4470 Capstone Seminar/Electronic Teaching Portfolio Development (Secondary)
This course will assist students in reviewing effective teaching through discussions of their student teaching practicum experience. The course will explore how instructional technologies can be used for teaching and learning and will demonstrate technology as a research tool to enhance learning. Specific topics to be explored include: effective teaching practices, social issues in computing, the technology planning process, web page design and e-portfolio development. The course addresses the regulations outlined for Instructional Technology standards issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education and the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE). Secondary student teachers will prepare an action research project based on their content area and will present the research in a web-based portfolio. A major focus of the action research is a literature review on current educational subject content authors.
Spring semester. 4 credits
Prerequisite: EDUC4467