RockhuRst univeRsity 2012–2014 catalog

Candidates will identify student needs and planindividualized and small group instruction utilizingbasic principles of teaching such as taxonomiesof learning, advance organizers, clear explanations,examples and non-examples, visual representation,activities and distributed reviews. =Reading strategiesinclude techniques such as cueing systems,scaffolded reading and writing, word study, comprehensionfacilitation, question-answer relations,literature focus units, literature circles and writersworkshops. In the area of mathematics, diagnosticinterviews, computation, algebraic thinking, geometricalconcepts, measurement data, data analysis,and problem-solving strategies will be emphasized.ED 6150. Field Experiences andAction Research (3)This course will engage students in an investigationof the culture of schooling and a critical examinationof educational research. The purposes of the classinclude analysis of schooling through observation,interview, and qualitative study. Students will studyhow teachers organize classrooms, how they interactwith students, how they strategize for student learning,how they make decisions, how they plan lessonsand units, how they assess student learning, andhow they augment their own knowledge throughstaff development and action research. Studentsin this course will also learn qualitative researchmethodologies, especially observation and interviewtechniques. A significant amount of time is spent indiverse school settings. Certification course.ED 6160 (ED 4160). Teaching Middle and SecondarySchool Mathematics (3)This course examines the goals, principles andprocedures of mathematics education in secondaryschools. Guided by the NCTM standards, thecourse examines current practice and emergingtrends in secondary mathematics education. Specialemphasis is placed on mathematics as a problemsolving activity. Issues of successful teaching andlearning for a broad range of math learners areaddressed. This class requires non-credit field placementexperience. The graduate-level course requiresindependent accelerated additional courseworkappropriate for the graduate level.ED 6260 (ED 4260). Teaching Middle and SecondarySchool Science (3)This course examines the goals, principles andprocedures of science education in elementaryschools. Science is examined as both a process andproduct. Students examine the roles of developingstudents’ science process skills and understandingof the nature of science as these issues relate toteaching science for concept attainment. The roleof science-technology-society connections in scienceeducation is emphasized. Issues of successful teachingand learning for a broad range of science learnersare addressed. This class requires a non-credit fieldplacement experience. The graduate-level courserequires independent accelerated additional courseworkappropriate for the graduate level.ED 6350 (ED 4350). History and Philosophy ofScience and Technology (3)Students will examine the history and philosophyof the natural sciences and relate these topics to currentissues and trends in science education. Topicsinclude the goals of science, the goals and methodsof science education, the nature of the scientificenterprise, the nature of scientific reasoning, thenature of warrants for scientific knowledge, thepost-modern critique of science, responses to thepost-modern perspective, the differences and similaritiesbetween science and technology, and the roleof science and technology in contemporary society.Historical and contemporary examples will be usedto illuminate many of the aspects of the course andsignificant attention will be paid to the examinationof various positions within the historical developmentof philosophy of science. The graduate-levelcourse requires independent accelerated additionalcoursework appropriate for the graduate level.ED 6360 (ED 4360). Teaching Middle andSecondary School Social Studies (3)Students explore and analyze a variety of issues andapproaches to the teaching of middle and secondaryschool social studies. The development of curriculumis emphasized, as well as the development ofquality assessments and learning activities. Studentsparticipate in on-campus teaching demonstrationsand varied sample instructional activities. Studentsprepare a unit of instruction and demonstrate theirunderstanding of the major concepts and tools ofthe social studies disciplines. This course includes anon-credit field placement experience. The graduatelevelcourse requires independent accelerated additionalcoursework appropriate for the graduate level.ED 6400. Advanced PsychologicalFoundations (3)An examination of contemporary theory, research,and practice on the nature and process of learning.The course explores the biological and cultural factorsinfluencing the patterns of physical, emotional,social, cognitive and moral development in studentsfrom early childhood through adolescence. Theapplication of this understanding to the classroom(especially as this understanding pertains to classroommanagement, assessment, and instructionaldesign) is emphasized. Certification course.ED 6450. Foundations of Special Education (3)This course provides an overview on the theoreticaland practical issues of educating children andyouths with special needs from the early childhoodyears through adolescence. All 13 federally-fundeddisability areas and students who are gifted and talentedare addressed. Emphasis is placed on workingwith students in inclusive classroom settings. Topicsinclude pedagogical theory, law and legislation, curriculumdevelopment, intervention strategies and315School of Graduate & Professional StudiesGraduate Programs