Courses 2012-2013

EDUC 000   Education Gateway Course  0 credits
Students explore the professional opportunities and practices of the teaching discipline. Designed to provide participants a variety of designated experiences with K-12 students so they are able to make informed decisions about becoming teachers. Students facilitate field experiences with school-age students both at the elementary and secondary levels. Students attend two one-hour long seminars and participate in 10 hours of subsequent field experiences. This course is required for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

EDUC 197   Special Topics in Education  1-6 credits

EDUC 297   Special Topics in Education  1-6 credits

EDUC 340  Brain-based Learning Motivation and Achievement  3 credits
A foundation course in key aspects of schooling such as legal, assessment, diverse student needs, current brain research, and literacy.  A practical application of cognitive processes and brain research is used. Course includes an integrated variety of approaches to teaching and learning—including cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, research-based strategies, skills for success in writing, technology integration, structuring schools and learning to ensure accountability for results. Prerequisite: passing scores on Basic Skills Competency Exam in Mathematics, Reading, and Writing; completion of EDUC 000, including ten hours of field experiences; no more than two semesters prior to internship.

EDUC 392   Independent Study  1-3 credits
A course for qualified, upper-level students with specialized interests in a particular area of advanced study in Teacher Education. 

EDUC 397   Special Topics in Education  1-6 credits

EDUC 400  Foundations for Literacy: Phonology and Linguistics  3 credits
A study and application of scientifically-based methods of teaching and reinforcing fundamental reading skills. Cognitive processes of literacy, including phonology, morphology, orthography and etymology. Focus placed on English language structure as it affects decoding and encoding.  Additionally, methods for diverse groups of students, including students with disabilities, students from culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and high-achieving students are covered. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 401 Assessment for Prevention and Intervention  3 credits
This is an in-depth application of assessment techniques and instruments in coordination with state standards, No Child Left Behind and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004.  Includes standardized testing and knowledge of literacy including five essential components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Analysis of data to design and monitor instruction and intervention for universal, targeted, and intensive needs of diverse groups of students, including students with disabilities, students from culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and high-achieving students. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 402 Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Fluency  3 credits
A study and application of scientifically based methods of teaching and reinforcing reading comprehension, vocabulary fluency, oral and written language skills. Cognitive processes of literacy, including phonology, morphology, orthography, etymology, semantics, syntax, discourse, pragmatics and English language structure as it affects meaning.  Additionally, methods for diverse groups of students, including students with disabilities, students from culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and high-achieving students are covered. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 403 Instruction and Assessment in the Content Area  3 credits
An introduction to the concepts, methods, techniques, and assessment practices used to effectively teach secondary and K-12 students. Emphasis is placed on structures for lesson and unit planning, implementation of the Colorado State Standards, literacy and math integration, research based instructional strategies, content specific technologies, and management techniques. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 404 Creating Positive Learning Environments 3 credits
A foundation course to prepare students to create appropriate learning environments both inside and outside the classroom. Students learn effective lesson planning, classroom management, medical protocol and sound legal disciplinary practices that are characterized by acceptable student behavior and efficient use of time. The students learn to perpetuate the democratic system by understanding the relationships among the various governmental entities that create laws, rules, regulations and policies.  Students apply educational practices to ensure safe and orderly schools. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 405 Data-driven Instructional Practices  3 credits
An in-depth application of standards-based instruction and assessment practices. Students design curriculum maps and plan short and long range standards-based lessons and units for diverse student populations based on their respective content areas. Students are taught to integrate literacy, math, and technology into their standards-based instructional plans encompasses the development and utilization of various types of curriculum based measures both formal and informal in order to accurately document and report ongoing student achievement. Students learn to use assessment data to drive standards-based curriculum that measure student knowledge, understanding, and skills. Technology is utilized to manage and communicate assessment results and their implications to students, parents, professionals, administrators and the community,  At the end of this course, students reflect and evaluate their own performance, and articulate that teaching is a worthy career. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 406 Content Area Literacy  3 credits
An application of current research on brain-based learning, reading and writing and its integration in the content area. Students implement the essential components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, motivation, and engagement within the content area. In addition, there is a focus on content area study and test taking skills. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 407 Maximizing Learning Through 21st Century Skills  3 credits
An inquiry into the 21^st Century environment schools need to cultivate in order to maximize learning. This course prepares teachers to create technology-rich learning environments that enhance student growth and achievement. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 408 Teaching Writing with the Brain in Mind  3 credits
An application of cognitive processes associated with various kinds of learning. Within the context of writing assessment and instruction, students learn to employ a wide range of teaching techniques to match the intellectual, emotional and social level of each classroom student. Students apply expert content knowledge to enrich and extend student learning and apply individual educational plans. Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 409 Secondary Student Teaching   1-6 credits
Student teaching in a 7-12 school setting on the average of 24 hours per week, over the course of the academic year, in collaboration with mentor teachers. This course can be repeated twice for credit.  Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 410 K-12 Student Teaching  1-6 credits
Student teaching in a K-12 school setting on the average of 24 hours per week, over the course of the academic year, in collaboration with mentor teachers. This course can be repeated twice for credit.  Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 413 Mathematical Investigations  3 credits
An application of the research-based practices for instruction in math. Focus is placed on the foundations for assessing and teaching math by addressing basic skills, critical thinking skills, conceptual understanding, real life applications, and diverse learner needs. Students implement and review specific assessment practices, teaching structures, intervention strategies, and technology applications within a standards-based framework of instruction.  Prerequisite: admission to the Teacher Education Program.

EDUC 420 Application of Classroom Strategies to Engage All Learners  3 credits
Study and apply effective research-based strategies for high levels of attention and engagement for all learners. Prerequisite: Admission in Teacher Education Program. 

EDUC 459   Elementary Student Teaching  1-6 credits
Student teaching in an elementary school setting. The student teaching experience averages 24 hours per week over the course of the academic year and is in collaboration with mentor teachers. May be repeated twice for credit. Prerequisite: admission to licensure program.

EDUC 492   Independent Study  1-3 credits
A course for qualified, upper-level students with specialized interests in a particular area of advanced study in Teacher Education.

EDUC 493   Research Problems  1-4 credits

EDUC 497   Special Topics in Education  1-6 credits