Course Descriptions — Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification
EDU 5105 Classroom Dynamics (2 semester hours)
The focus of this course is an exploration of classroom dynamics in the elementary education classroom as they influence the learning process and creation/development of a productive learning environment for all learners. A variety of classroom settings will be observed and analyzed using video and other technology. Teacher candidates will analyze both the behaviors of teachers and students, as well as develop their own classroom management belief system. Teacher candidates will investigate the processes of creating and assessing dynamic classroom learning environments where students are motivated, supported, engaged and responsible learners. Teacher candidates will discover best practices through the use of motivation, organization, communication, instructional strategies and assessment. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a background check.
EDU 5205 The Elementary School: Foundations and Assessment (3 semester hours)
This course is designed to introduce candidates to the standards and foundations that comprise elementary education teaching and learning in today's public schools. This course also links assessment methods and models to the overview of standards, foundations and inclusion practices that comprise elementary education in America's public schools today.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, including passing the Basic Skills Test, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a background check.
EDU 5265 Advanced Educational Psychology (4 semester hours)
This course will explore knowledge that is essential for effective teaching and learning and focus on the individual's growth, development and learning. Learning is the product of complex interactions among student, teacher, family and society. The students will explore the cognitive, physical, emotional, moral and social development of children from conception to age eighteen. Special attention will be given to the development of literacy, language, the interaction between growth and learning and diverse learners all in relation to the classroom teacher. In this course, the student will identify and explore effective classroom practices through current professional research; critically evaluate current trends in education with respect to their support in literature and their currency in educational discourse, and explore major theorists and theories that have provided the foundational grounding for current research and practice. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a background check.
EDU 5335 Methods of Teaching Fine Arts (2 semester hours)
This course is designed specifically for elementary education teacher candidates. In this methods course, teacher candidates explore the communicative and aesthetic value of drama, music, and visual art education. Current trends, principles and theories that focus on artistic, interpersonal as well as intrapersonal teaching and learning modalities will be explored. Teacher candidates will gain an understanding for how to promote artistic development, appreciation, and performance through the use of various tools, including technology, for creating, analyzing and performing works of art.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, including passing the Basic Skills Test, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a background check.
This elementary methods course examines the methodologies and approaches to teaching and integrating mathematics and science. Teacher candidates explore, create and utilize a variety of instructional mathematics and science strategies that are developmentally appropriate and motivating for elementary students. Candidates engage in activities integrating both mathematics and science in order to facilitate the learning, the application, and the implementation of concepts and procedures to real-world situations. The course involves teacher candidates in a variety of problem-solving activities designed to develop meanings and properties of mathematical and scientific concepts. Teacher candidates create lesson plans and assessments appropriate to grade level and content. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, including passing the Basic Skills Test, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a criminal background check, and EDU 5105, EDU 5265, and EDU 5305.
EDU5370 Adolescent Development and Learning (4 semester hours)
The physical, cognitive, social, emotional, ideological, sexual and gender role, racial/ethnic and vocational development of pre-adolescents and adolescents, and the relationship of adolescents' development to learning and school achievement.
EDU5440 Middle School: Mission and Methods (4 semester hours)
This course explores some of the key issues impacting middle schools and secondary schools in our society today. These issues are analyzed in an attempt to clarify the changing roles of the schools, teachers, and students in our increasingly complex multicultural society. Using current research, case studies, and class projects, students will discuss and analyze issues that shape educational institutions and current practices. Students will also explore strategies teachers can use to address some of these issues in their own classrooms. During the course, there will be opportunities for students to apply source concepts in the construction of an ideal middle school and to analyze different strategies for reading in the content areas.
EDU5450 Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Middle School (3 semester hours)
Methods of teaching mathematics at the middle school level are explored with emphasis on research-based curriculum models that promote and support mathematical understanding in adolescent students. The course includes strategies for adapting instruction to meet the needs of multicultural and exceptional students.
EDU5455 Methods of Teaching Physical Education (2 semester hours)
This course is designed specifically for elementary educatin teacher candidates. This methods course will expose teacher candidates to physical education that purports a developmental approach to the successful acquisition of fundamental movement. Current trends, principles and theories that focus on experiential learning, with emphasis on kinesthetic/spatial movement, will be explored. The course offers a blend of theory and practice, as students engage in activities that are designed to teach movement within a holistic framework, including interdisciplinary teaching, the competition-cooperation link, body/mind challenges, multicultural, rhythmic, dance, and innovative games.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, including passing the Basic Skills Test, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a background check.
EDU5480 Methods of Teaching Reading, Language Arts and Social Studies in the Elementary School (4 semester hours)
This elementary methods course examines teaching reading and language arts in the elementary classroom with an emphasis on principles, trends, methods, materials, approaches and strategies. The course includes discussion of basal, literature-based, individualized, reading workshop, guided reading and language experience-based methods. Teacher candidates design and assess instruction to meet the Illinois Learning Standards in the areas of reading and English language arts for elementary students. Candidates develop reading and language arts lessons designed to meet the needs of children from various cultural and experiential backgrounds.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, including passing the Basic Skills Test, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a criminal background check, and EDU 5105, EDU 5265, and EDU 5305.
EDU5655 Reading and Writing in the Content Area (2 semester hours)
Teacher candidates will develop an understanding of teching reading and writing in teh content areas in the elementary classroom with an emphasis on comprehensive literacy. Teacher candidates will review and analyze historical and current principles, trends and research that focus on reading integration methods, approaches and strategies. Various dimensions of comprehensive literacy, including meta-cognition, learner-centered study skills and technology literacy will be explored and studied. Based on constructivist theories of literacy development, the course presents methodology and instructional materialsdesigned to help teachers develop comprehensive literacy int eh content areas.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, including passing the Basic Skills Test, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a background check.
EDU 5755 Methods Practicum (1 semester hour)
This course is an elementary field experience in grades K-8 taken concurrently with one of the elementary methods courses in the program. Teacher candidates schedule a minimum of 50 contact hours spread over the 16-week semester in a pre-assigned K-8 classroom and are responsible for observing, planning, teaching and evaluating the assigned group of students. Teacher candidates design and deliver small- and large-group lessons, evaluate and use teaching resources and curriculum materials, utilize classroom technology, create and use assessment instruments, reflect upon their experiences through journaling and collaborate with practicing teachers, the college professor, the University Supervisor, peers and elementary learners.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the College of Education, including passing the Basic Skills Test, maintaining a GPA of 3.00, passing a criminal background check, and EDU 5105, EDU 5265, and EDU 5305.
EDU 6750 Student Teaching Internship (12 credit hours)
Student Teaching is the capstone experience of the M.A.T.C. elementary education program. The teacher candidate is assigned to a K-8 classroom for the 16-week semester and is responsible for planning, directing and evaluating the learning of a group of students under the supervision of a certified teacher and University Supervisor. The teacher candidate is guided through experiences designed to apply the knowledge and skill gained throughout the program. The teacher candidate performs the major functions of a teacher with appropriate responsibilities and supervision.
EDU 6750 Student Teaching Seminar (Concurrent with EDU 6750 Student Teaching Internship)
This seminar meets in conjunction with student teaching and is required for all elementary and secondary education majors. In this course, candidates complete their program portfolio. Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Education, a 3.0 or better GPA, officially reported passing score on the Illinois Content Area and APT tests, all Education course work completed. Co-requisite: EDU 6750 Offered Fall and Spring only.
Academic information on departmental websites reflects the university's most current curriculum. The print version of the catalog, which is also posted online, may differ from this information.
