UG Course Descriptions

An exploration of global educational systems (focus on non-western). Students will investigate the impact of culture on children’s cognitive and social growth. Includes an overview of English Language Learning (ELL) issues and instructional strategies. A 40-hour field experience is required (EDU 202). This course is an honors version of EDU 290 with enhanced assignments and assessment.

A problem-solving approach to the study of human development as it relates to the learning environment, including: student development, learning styles, and exceptionalities; major learning theories in relationship to the instruction of all students; as well as assessment and management techniques. A 40-hour field experience is required (EDU 201).

This course introduces pre-service teachers (Pre-K through high school) to appropriate and relevant pedagogy, learning activities, and resources. Topics include: Effective teaching strategies applicable to all content areas, reflective decision making, issues of professionalism, student diversity, lesson planning, classroom management and practical applications of these concepts. A 40-hour field experience is required.

Introduction to the reading/writing connection in the teaching of language arts to the PreK-4 child, including: types of writing, quality of writing, and speaking and listening as well as characteristics and functions of the English language.

Introduces pre-service, PreK-4 teachers to curriculum and instructional methods used by professional, elementary level, social studies educators. Students are exposed to the social studies curriculum as it relates to learning and development, differences in learning styles, critical thinking, problem solving, active learning, and inquiry. Areas of focus to be explored include effective teaching strategies and appropriate/relevant pedagogy applicable to the social studies content areas (geography, history, economics, and civics/government) based on standards identified by Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National Council for the Social Studies.

Address mathematics instruction consistent with the developmental needs of the PreK-4 student within the framework of helping to build children’s beliefs about mathematics, what it means to know and apply mathematics, and establishing children as mathematical learners.

This course is designed to introduce pre-service PreK-4 teachers to methods and materials for teaching science. The course emphasizes problem solving, reasoning, communication, scientific inquiry, and the use of concrete materials to investigate scientific concepts. . Students will develop curriculum materials containing both Five E’s lessons and activities which demonstrate an understanding of the national and Pennsylvania state standards for science.

Full-time supervised student teaching for students seeking Secondary Education Certification will student teach for a minimum of 14 weeks in a secondary school directed by a qualified supervising teacher. The course includes a weekly seminar conducted by members of the University staff. Through lectures and discussions led by local school personnel, the prospective teachers are given the opportunity to become familiar with their professional responsibilities and benefits. Current trends in curricula and best practices are considered and explained. A fee is charged and students must apply for student teaching and be approved by the Division.

An examination of instructional strategies that relate to reading in middle and secondary school content areas. The course will provide an overview of the developmental reading process, with methods for promoting student learning and thinking with reading materials.

An examination of the current state and national standards governing music, art, drama, and physical education for the elementary classroom. Resources for these curriculum areas will be studied and evaluated. Student preparation and presentation of integrated units of study for these areas will also be developed.