Graduate Catalog: 2012-2013 - Alabama A&M University

ECE 504 Problems in Improving Reading – Threesemester hours. Investigations of the practices andtrends in the teaching of reading materials ofinstruction in reading, particularly remedialmaterials; techniques and materials for prevention ofreading difficulties; and diagnosis and remediationof reading difficulties.ECE 505 Problems in Improving MathematicsSkills – Three semester hours. This course presentsmaterials, teaching, and teaching procedures for theimprovement of learning in the new mathematics.The study of current problems affecting children’sdevelopment of number concepts and skills will beaddressed.ECE 507 Children’s Literature – Three semesterhours. Consideration will be given to locating andevaluating children’s books and to the method oforganizing, teaching, and evaluating a literatureprogram for children. The philosophy of theselection and study of literature, emphasizingappropriate content, good style, and suitability ofvarious age groups are examined. Extensive readingand sharing of children’s literature are required.ECE 509 Trends and Issues in Social Studies –Three semester hours. A detailed consideration ofproblems concerned with selection of what to teach;the grade placement of content, methods, andmaterials of teaching; and means of evaluatingachievements in social studies with particularattention given to recent trends.ECE 510 Improving Science Teaching – Threesemester hours. In this course, investigations andevaluations will be made of instructional methodsdesigned to challenge pupils at each level of theirelementary science and health program. The coursewill include such topics as the earth and universe,living things, matter and energy, magnetism andelectricity, nutrition, hygiene, and other personalhealth components.ECE 512 Investigation of Language Arts – Threesemester hours. The course is a study of the totallanguage arts program. Emphasis is onunderstanding the language processes, literacydevelopment, and the interrelatedness ofcommunication competencies—listening, speaking,reading/writing current research, goals, trends,issues, instructional strategies, programs, materials,and assessment/evaluation techniques are examined.Class sessions are designed to be interactive withclass members giving demonstrations that involvefellow classmates in hands-on participation andactive discussion.ECE 514 Basic Skills – Three semester hours. Thiscourse is a critical evaluation of recentdevelopments in the teaching of basic skills in theelementary school.ECE 518 Environmental Education Across theCurriculum – Three semester hours. This course isdesigned to assist educators in improving theirteaching of kindergarten through eighth gradelevels, specifically as it relates to environmentaleducation. Goals, objectives and teaching strategiesassociated with environmental education will bereviewed in keeping with the characteristic needs oflearners at specific age levels. Emphasis will beplaced on the interrelatedness of environmentaleducation with traditional curriculum content areas,especially science. Participants also will explorepractical applications of environmental educationphilosophies. The course incorporates “hands-on”habitat studies, inquiry-based learning, nationallyacclaimed environmental education programs and aresidential component stressing cooperativelearning.ECE 520 Foundations of Teaching Reading –Three semester hours. A fundamental coursedesigned to establish a foundation of the essentialreading skills that can be used effectively by preserviceteachers. This course focuses on teachingreading to a diverse population of elementarystudents using a variety of approaches.ECE 521 Research in Elementary/EarlyChildhood Education – Three semester hours.This course is concerned with Reviewing theLiterature around a topic of interest of the candidate,according to the latest APA Manual. This coursemakes it possible for a candidate to pursue an areaof special interest and develop an understanding ofhow to study a topic in-depth. This research is doneunder the supervision of the instructor, and mayculminate with an examination based on the contentof the research.ECE 602 Theoretical Foundations of EarlyChildhood Education – Three semester hours.This course traces the story of elementary and earlychildhood education. Candidates evaluate thetheoretical basis for P-6 programs through research,readings, and class discussions.ECE 603 Field Research – Three semester hours.This course is designed for Educational Specialistdegree candidates in early childhood or elementaryeducation for the purpose of developing research118