Reading Instruction and Phonics Theory

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn the sounds of American English and the theory of the alphabetic codes by focusing on letter-sound relationships of the alphabetic code instruction.
2. Teachers analyze the introduction to understand the author and his perspectives on the various reading instruction strategies in school systems and their outcomes.
3. Educators will review the history of reading instruction in the U.S and contrast the whole-language literacy compared to creating phonics frameworks for reading acquisition.
4. Participants will utilize the appendices supplement to stages, code sounds to letters, consonant blends, complex and frequently used words to enhance reading instruction.
5. Educators will research this topic, view videos and practice sounds stages from the book to create lessons/activities to improve reading/phonics instruction in classrooms.

Leveraging AI in Education

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

From this course, participants will:

1. Identify the key components, historical milestones, and potential future impact of generative artificial intelligence on education.
2. Explore the cultural, socio-economic, and societal implications of generative artificial intelligence use.
3. Assess the potential of generative artificial intelligence as a tool for teaching, learning, and assessment.
4. Outline policies to govern the use of generative artificial intelligence in their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Teaching Students How To Remember

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how to reach students so they can be taught specific subject content utilizing background knowledge and memory reflection.
2. Teachers will explore how to reinforce content for memory retention and recode self-generated information to improve memory recall.
3. Educators will review content reinforcement strategies the include student feedback and the discussion processes that reinforce learning and memory.
4. Teachers will examine reviewing and practice techniques that reinforce information knowledge and retention for faster and easier content retrieval.
5. Teachers will develop writings, lessons and activities to apply the seven "R's" of memorization into their classroom instructional practices.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how the seven habits of effective people apply to schools and how to use them when working with teenagers to utilize constructive habits for living.
2. Teachers will examine how to use positive and proactive habits to build personal bank accounts as well as the needed skills and social Rewards on Investment (ROI).
3. Educators will be presented with the skill (habit) of visioning with the "End in Mind" as well as prioritizing tasks and behaviors for maximum benefit.
4. Students will be able to synergize knowledge, information and resources to seek understanding and negotiate win-win strategies for social success.
5. Teachers will develop writings and activities that apply the 7 habits into their instructional program so students can apply them in schools and their personal lives.

Getting Googled: Master's Edition

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

From this course, participants will:

1. Develop a working journal of ideas for implementing Google Docs, Slides, Forms, and
   several other Google Drive applications in ways that benefit instruction and learning.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in navigating and utilizing a variety of Google Drive
   applications.
3. Create a “window” into their classroom to effectively and regularly communicate
   relevant information to students, parents, colleagues, and/or administrators.
4. Develop a lesson plan that successfully incorporates (both technically and pedagogically)
   a single Google Drive application.
5. Create a Google Classroom and explore pedagogical uses and visions for
   implementation.
6. Outline a unit plan that effectively incorporates several Google Drive applications, in a
   variety of ways, that addresses instructional objectives, student engagement, and the
   potential impact of the Digital Divide, as well as other common obstacles.

Assertive Discipline

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how assertive discipline approaches assists and supports teacher rights, authority and responsibilities.
2. Teachers will examine myths and misinformation that often unjustifiably blame teachers for issues beyond their control or authority.
3. Educators will be presented with numerous discipline plans and behavior modification strategies for implementation into the classroom environment.
4. Students will be able to use the specific directives, implementing consequences and on-task behavior strategies for classroom management.
5. Teachers will develop a discipline plan or classroom management activity that utilizes positive recognition along with limits, structure and respect for authority.

Providing Effective Feedback to Foster Student Growth

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

From this course, participants will:

1. Examine the role of feedback in the learning process.
2. Differentiate the key components of effective feedback.
3. Apply best practices and strategies for providing feedback.
4. Develop a strategic feedback plan for an existing unit or project.

Building Your Google Classroom: Distance Learning Your Students Will Recognize

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

From this course, participants will:

1. Demonstrate growth in content knowledge related to teaching assignment and the application of content knowledge to classroom instruction and assessment.
2. Understand scientifically-based practices in teaching and learning, including strategies in literacy education, instructional technology, differentiation of instruction, and apply them to raise student achievement.
3. Demonstrate multiple means of assessing and evaluating student learning and use them to change teaching and learning.
4. Locate, interpret, synthesize, and apply educational research in best practices in teaching.
5. Understand models for professional change, including teacher collaboration, professional learning communities, strategies for mentoring and coaching to facilitate change, and effective professional development.
6. Demonstrate understanding of reflective practice that results in improved classroom teaching and learning, including teacher reflection, use of technology in self-assessment, collaboration for change, and self-management of change.
7. Demonstrate understanding of system and organizational change in education, including models for school change and current research and trends in school change.
8. Demonstrate responsibility for student learning at high levels.
9. Demonstrate responsibility for school reform and leadership in school change.

Gamification in the Classroom

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

From this course, participants will:

1. Examine the positive and negative aspects of gaming.
2. Apply best practices, strategies, and tools for gamifying classroom procedures and lessons.
3. Explore frameworks for gamification.
4. Develop a strategic gamification plan for an existing unit or project.

Epidemic: Rot of American Culture: Absentee & Permissive Parenting

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the historical progression and decline of marriages and family system dysfunction and the impact they have on society, values and raising children.
2. Participants will be presented with a model for teaching children to love and respect other people and numerous positive strategies to utilize when teaching children.
3. Educators will examine early childhood education and the affects of day care on children and families as well as the social and economic issues families struggle with.
4. Participants will review the impact of media violence, blatant sexuality and other negative social behaviors that the media presents and how to instill morality and values in an indifferent world.
5. Educators will look at the issue of students growing up in an adult world of sex and violence without enjoying the innocence of childhood experiences and how that affects their development and ability to be successful in schools.