600

This course introduces students to the study of curriculum theory. Students explore the nature of curriculum theory, differentiate curriculum theory from curriculum planning, place the study of curriculum theory within the larger history of the American school curriculum, and explore a variety of models of curriculum theory including alternative models.

For graduate students only. This course provides a reflective look at current research and a variety of teaching strategies for the diverse classroom with a particular emphasis on adolescent behaviors in the classroom context and effective options for classroom management. The Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida will be discussed. This practical view of life in the middle and secondary classroom will feature procedures for school safety and salient information on school law.

This course is designed for students and teachers who want to explore frameworks, materials and strategies that will help them translate the rationale for diversity education into effective educational practice with learners of any age, level or background. Accordingly, the course focuses on approaches to curriculum consonant with a diverse perspective.

For graduate students only. This course presents mathematics instruction or science instruction as one multifaceted and dynamic experiential learning module that responds to real-world problems and issues. Emphasis is on strategies for exploring mathematics or science in local, state, national and international community environments. Teacher candidates whose emphasis is mathematics 6-12 or middle grades mathematics 5-9 are enrolled in the section co-taught by mathematics and education faculty. Teacher candidates whose emphasis is biology 6-12, chemistry 6-12, physics 6-12 or middle grades science 5-9 are enrolled in the section co-taught by science faculty and education faculty.

For graduate students only. This course addresses all social dimensions of learning, including decisions regarding social aspects of classrooms, schools and other types of learning environments that teachers face, and the powerful impact these decisions have on educational climate. Students will develop an understanding of the influence of social factors on teaching and learning, and that social dimensions impact equal access, school progress and performance, and completion of academic programs.

Technology and innovation are key resources for education and school reform initiatives. They not only provide an avenue to access 21st-century learning and teaching practices, but also define and shape the way schools operate. Managed properly, technological innovations are a primary source of competitive advantage for school systems; they also enhance the educational well-being of a nation and anchor its global know-how. The challenge of how best to manage technology and innovation has expanded beyond its traditional home in departments like instructional technology or media centers, to the point where it now permeates nearly every aspect of teaching and learning in modern schools. Schools are increasingly turning to technological innovations to enable new forums of engaging with knowledge; to change the way we think of teacher-learner roles; to improve quality and school/home/community communication patterns; and to create and retain student motivation. In addition, teachers now face an accelerating pace of innovation in the technologies supporting and changing the processes involved in school management, assessment and instruction. This course will explore the strategic role of technology and innovation in the survival and success of schools and schooling. The course will have a strong emphasis on state-of-the-art technologies in the selection of case examples.

This course is an introduction to epistemology and historical, experimental, descriptive and survey research as it relates to seeking solutions to problems within the field of education. Classic educational research, research techniques, the analysis of research results and the uses of research are explored. This course guides classroom teachers through the process of reviewing, evaluating, conducting and disseminating educational research, and is designed to help teachers evaluate research findings and their applications to classroom practice.

This course provides a reflective (and reflexive) overview of the educational policy-making process at local, state and national levels, and of the ethical principles that can influence such policy making.

Effectively using technology across all functions of a school system is, in itself, significant systemic reform. There is a wealth of evidence showing that facilitating change in schools, and especially maintaining that change, depends heavily on capable leadership. It is imperative, therefore, that we in higher education focus on leadership for technology in schools if we are to optimize its benefits in learning, teaching and school operations.

This graduate level course is designed to provide candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for effectively integrating children's literature into a balanced reading program. Course content provides a survey of literature for children from preschool through grade 6 with an emphasis on applying the principles of valuation to selected books from a wide variety of genres. Candidates will explore the positive correlation between children's literature and reading achievement and will learn how to apply their knowledge of literature to help children grow in their language and reading abilities.

This course traces the historical development of special education and inclusive classrooms through landmark legislation and litigation, parent advocacy and national economic and social needs. The provisions of federal and state special education mandates, judicial interpretations and Florida state guidelines regulating the delivery of educational services to persons with handicaps also will be addressed.

This course is an introduction to the philosophical field of epistemology and how it applies to education and learning. While the course is strongly grounded in philosophy, an emphasis will be placed on the application and relationship of epistemology to students, teachers and learning.

This course examines the numerous school law and legal issues that affect the public school system. Educators will become knowledgeable about the various social and political issues that are manifested in school systems. It will provide educators with a general understanding of how various legal issues have been decided. Specific legal principles relating to church/state issues, tort liability, teachers’ responsibilities, students’ rights, and administrative concerns such as contracts and collective bargaining will be covered. Students will be required to apply these legal principles to analyze actual case scenarios. Topics included: (1) Students: Rights and responsibilities; discipline; First Amendment issues; special education issues; general education issues. (2) School personnel/employees: Discipline; hiring, termination, discharge; certified, non-certified and administrators; union issues. (3) Board of education/administration: School finances; board elections; role of the board; role of the administration; procurement issues; bond issues; construction issues. (4) State Department of Education: Role of FLDOE. The course will review federal and state law decisions which effect the daily operations of the Florida public schools.

This course is designed to examine social emotional learning and teaching and to explore how pro-social centered education impacts various aspects of school climate and culture. In this course students will examine the who, what, where, why and how of the significance of emotions and social skills and why teaching and learning these skills matters profoundly. The course will examine the following questions about pro-social education initiatives: Can students be taught pro-social behaviors, such as, being kinder to one another? How would teachers implement teaching pro-social skills in the classroom? Would such instruction "stick"? Influence behavior? Rub off on teachers? What might a pro-social education program look like? Can such instruction be formalized without becoming dogmatic or political? How does social context play into social and emotional learning? Does explicit instruction in pro-social behavior positively affect the behavior of children? How might such outcomes be measured? Is there a positive correlation between pro-social behavior and overall achievement in schools where traits like kindness and empathy are explicitly taught? Can such a program be replicated?

For graduate students only. This course is a study of secondary school curriculum and instruction as a specialized part of the total schooling system. The study of this curriculum is intended to examine historical, societal and organizational issues with special emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of curricular content and on the nature of the students being served in middle and secondary schools.

This course provides an overview of the five areas pertinent to teaching English language learners (ELLs) in order to a) promote an understanding of first and second language acquisition processes; b) facilitate the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional and assessment skills; and c) present effective means for modifying curricula. The five areas are 1) applied linguistics and second language acquisition; 2) cross-cultural communication and understanding; 3) methods in teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL); 4) curriculum and materials development; and 5) testing and evaluation of ESOL. This course meets the 60-hour ESOL education requirement for Category II teachers and administrators as determined by the Florida Department of Education.

This is a clinical tutorial-based course that will provide students with additional, individualized and alternative curricula knowledge, skills and experiences to further develop the performance of teacher education candidates within the department of education.

Developing effective grant writing skills is essential to acquiring competitive funding from government agencies and private foundations. Writing a successful grant proposal is a blend of art and science. It requires content knowledge, writing proficiency, strong research skills, creativity, organizational ability, patience and a great deal of luck. This course will provide students with the background necessary to develop a competitive funding proposal endeavor.

The course consists of directed readings and research projects on a topic of interest to the student. Content covered must be different from that included in current courses in the major. Independent studies may be taken with any full-time professor in education programs and require consent of the department chair. Subject matter must be determined through student-faculty consultation.