Course Descriptions
EDUC 6000 Success Strategies in the Online Environment (3 sem. cr.)
This is an orientation to the Middle Level Education specialization. Internet tools, email, electronic mailing lists, Web browsers, and other critical tools and skills for success in a distance-learning environment are covered.
EDUC 6510 Young Adolescent Development and Implications in a Global Society (3 sem. cr.)
Students gain understanding of early adolescence in contemporary society and knowledge of the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and moral development of early adolescence. Students apply major concepts, principles, theories, and research in teaching and interactions with young adolescents.
EDUC 6520 Organizational Structures for High-Performing Middle Grades Schools (3 sem. cr.)
This course covers the major concepts, principles, theories, and research on which current middle level education is practiced. The course content considers philosophical foundations and essential components of middle level education used in a variety of school settings. Emphasis is placed on team teaching for improved student outcomes, including varied use of time within the school, team, and classroom.
EDUC 6525 Concepts of Technology (3 sem. cr.)
This course provides an overview of educational technology for classroom integration based on current literature and research. The overview includes 1) evaluation of educational technologies to attain learning goals; 2) development of lesson plans or units based on Bloom’s Taxonomy; and 3) selection of appropriate software applications, programs, or support materials. Topics include criteria and analysis for selecting educational software, how to correctly use various activities in educational software to improve the learning process, and how to research using the Internet.
EDUC 6550 Assessment and Evaluation as Tools for Student Success (3 sem. cr.)
Students investigate and evaluate the theory of middle level assessment. They also research, create, and evaluate methods of assessment and evaluation for the middle level classroom. Students acquire comprehensive understanding of major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to middle level assessment. They apply knowledge in the classroom, school, and community. Emphasis is on performance assessment and evaluation strategies, rubrics, and Multiple Intelligence Theory.
EDUC 6565 Arts Education for the Middle Level Educator (3 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on basic knowledge and skills in the arts. Each arts discipline adds richness to the learning environment. There is instruction with, through, and about music, dance, drama, and visual arts, including how to weave the arts through middle level curriculum.
EDUC 6530 The Middle Grades Curriculum Continuum (3 sem. cr.)
This course covers the curriculum of middle school and the process by which it is designed, integrated, implemented, and evaluated. Students learn major concepts, principles, theories, models, standards, and research related to middle level curriculum to use in their classrooms.
EDUC 6540 Pedagogy and Exemplary Practices for Learning in the Middle Grades (3 sem. cr.)
Current pedagogical theories, instructional strategies, and best practices for teaching young adolescents in middle grades are the focus of this course. Also highlighted are best practices in teaching applied in the context of previous learning regarding characteristics of young adolescents and effective middle level schools.
Teaching Fields Content
Select two of the following courses:
EDUC 6562 Science for Middle Level Teachers (3 sem. cr.)
This course is designed to increase the content knowledge of middle level teachers while increasing understanding of how middle level students best learn science.
EDUC 6563 Understanding and Teaching the Language Arts (3 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on principles and content standards defined and described by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the International Reading Association (IRA). It assumes content of the English language arts cannot be “separated from the purpose, development, and context of language learning.” It presumes that English language arts be taught in manners consistent with the constructivist view of learning and teaching within a culturally diverse and global society.
EDUC 6561 Mathematics for Middle Level Teachers (3 sem. cr.)
This course is designed to increase the content knowledge of middle level teachers while increasing understanding of how middle level students best learn mathematics.
EDUC 6564 Understanding and Teaching the Social Studies (3 sem. cr.)
This course covers the principles and standards underlying essential characteristics of “powerful social studies” described by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS, 1997). It assumes social studies will be taught in a manner consistent with the constructivist view of learning and teaching within a culturally diverse and global society.
Capstone Course
EDUC 6560 Middle Level Professional Roles (3 sem. cr.)
This course focuses on the application of theory to practice and the development of each student as a middle level professional. Students prepare their culminating portfolio, consider their professional development needs and their role as middle level advocate, and engage in analyzing a prospective “School to Watch.”
