COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Education

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
Section Code: EDDX9002
This course provides a series of basic resources that teacher can use to explore current learning theories, methods of instruction, instructional strategies and design, and other techniques that can be added to the teachers “toolbox” of resources to improve instruction and learning. Explore concepts like “constructivism,” “mindmapping” and “cognitive learning styles” as part of selecting the best methodology for your students. Visit with others interested in teaching, leaning and instructional design through blogs and chat rooms. Let the Internet open the doors to a massive amount of information on how to select the best methodology for your students. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

EVALUATING STUDENT LEARNING
Section Code: EDDX9003
One of the major challenges to teachers is determining if students really learned what we want them to learn. Evaluation has been a long-standing, intensely debated topic. What should be measured, what cannot be measured, objective verses subjective evaluation, learning styles and classroom size all influence the final outcome. This course will provide you with the tools and techniques to research and judge the wide variety of evaluation techniques available today – and keep abreast of new ones as they evolve. A variety of techniques will be researched including objective testing, observation, relevancy, evaluating critical thinking skills, decision-making ability, problem solving, and a wide range of evaluation tools. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

CREATIVE CURRICULUM DESIGN
Section Code: EDDX9004
Understanding the basic history, learning theories, concepts, processes and terminology of curriculum development and instructional design have become more important as states and school districts develop overall standards. Combine that with the programming from the entertainment industry and you have a tough job developing curriculum that will engage the student and challenge their thought processes in such a way that the student’s mind becomes the “entertainment medium.” This course will assist you to find and use more resources than ever for developing challenging “learning programs.” It guides you through the steps in researching resources available on process and applications. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

KEYS TO TEACHING READING
Section Code: EDDX9005
Reading has always been a foundation to any educational program and has gained more and more attention as schools are criticized, not always correctly, for their student’s reading skills. The Internet is an extensive resource of information about reading, the issues surrounding how to teach reading and an impressive collection of activities your students can participate in, on the Internet, for skill development. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students..

LEADERSHIP IN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Section Code: EDDX9010
The task of school administrator becomes exceedingly challenging as pressures from within the school system and from outside it makes every issue complex. Laws, parents, student’s rights, unions, finance, violence are just part of the challenge. School administrators now, more than ever, must become leaders who have vision, recognize opportunity, can motivate and coach their staff to meet and creatively resolve problems while providing a greater quality of educational experience for the students. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

SCHOOL FINANCE
Section Code: EDDX9011
This course provides school administrators, and anyone interested in how school financing works, with a wide range of sample resources about school finance. Each state, and often school districts, has different policies, financial systems and budgeting. You will be given samples of the type of resources you can access on the Internet from accounting guides for new administrators, charts of accounts systems, legislative activity, status of lawsuits dealing with finance, and current controversial issues related to school finance. You can compare your district with districts across the United States and districts with similar demographics. Use these resources to better understand the policies, processes and issues surrounding school finance. Look at some “creative” or alternative ways of supplementing your financial resources. Use communication networks to exchange information and ideas with other educators around the world. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

HUMAN RESOURCES IN EDUCATION
Section Code: EDDX9012
Working with people and supervising staff can be the most rewarding and, at times frustrating, experiences a manager/administrator has. The legal implications of doing it wrong can be tremendous. Learning to deal with conflict resolution, laws, policies, procedures, forms and all the rest can keep an administrator coming and going. This course will provide examples of the resources that are available on the Internet to help with effective human resource management. The information can help the department head, principal, district administrators and any others who deal with the human resource process. Look at the legislative, legal, individual state codes and existing policies or procedures for other districts. Spend time researching and comparing about current human resources issues. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

EDUCATION LAW
Section Code: EDDX9014
The number of laws and regulations affecting education continues to expand. Simply implementing “policy” is no longer enough for educators. The complexities, breadth, and associated liabilities of not adhering to the laws affecting education are tremendous – and ever increasing. Administrators and teachers must be able to recognize a potential problem and take effective steps to correct it. Finding the answers to specific questions and keeping up with the evolving legal implications for education can be a full-time job. Knowing where to look and how to locate current resources can make that much easier. This is not a law course; it provides educators with tools to research the vast resources of the Internet to find answers to specific questions and to keep current with the latest trends. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

BUILDING A STRONG READING PROGRAM
Section Code: EDDX9015
Reading has become the “hot topic” in education and educators are receiving more and more pressure to build strong reading programs. This course will guide you to many of the excellent resources available on the Internet. They can help you compare your program with other reading programs and look at the theoretical and practical elements of a strong program. Investigate learning theory related to reading plus national standards. Look at current research on what works and what does not. Working with chat rooms and blogs will provide you with opportunities to ask questions and share ideas with others interested in developing strong reading programs. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

BALANCED READING TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING READING
Section Code: EDDX9016
The pendulum for reading has swung from phonics to whole word and back to phonics. Teachers struggle with a variety of conflicting issues ranging from state, the Federal “No Child Left Behind” Act of 2001 or district law and policy to personal preference to “what is best for this individual child.” Learning theory, research, and current trends are moving the process towards “Balanced Reading.” The term is somewhat self-explanatory, yet there are many unanswered questions and interpretations. This course provides information, research, practical techniques, and exercises that address the various elements of a “balanced reading” program. Communication networks also add new dimensions to getting information from experts and colleagues around the world. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

RESEARCH AND PARADIGMS IN READING
Section Code: EDDX9017
Issues surrounding the most effective way to teach reading continue to keep putting pressure on educators, parents, and students to do the best job possible. Now the federal and state governments have added to the pressure. Improving your school’s reading program usually starts with research. The Internet is full of great research resources on reading for the last 50 years and more. Websites provide models, evaluations of techniques, paradigm shifts, and operational insights to the keys to good reading programs. Educators and experts interested in reading can be found on blogs and chat rooms where you can ask questions and exchange ideas with people around the world. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

INTERACTIVE LESSONS FOR TEACHING READING
Section Code: EDDX9018
The Internet is full of fun and exciting resources for teachers to use that will help them with innovative teaching ideas. Many of the have fun sounds, phonetic training built into the exercises, complete books for children and adults of all ages, and lessons that incorporate comprehension. They are fun, motivating, colorful, and whimsical, which is especially important to young readers. Learn how to research the Internet to find these resources and use them in the development of your curriculum to meet your student’s needs. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

LITERATURE CIRCLES
Section Code: EDDX9019
Sometimes teachers have to use every tool in their “teaching toolkit” to keep readers motivated about reading. One effective technique is “Literature Circles.” These come in the form of classroom groups, adult groups, and online groups. Discover how others have successfully used this technique to get their student enthusiastic about reading. Visit and research website formed by teachers who are successfully incorporating this technique into their reading programs. Also, look at research and learning theories related to these techniques. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Section Code: EDDX9024
Critical thinking has been a buzzword throughout education for many years and yet a large percentage of educators are not really sure what it means and even more are not sure how to apply it in their classrooms. Colleges have courses on the topic, but most teachers cannot teach a course on critical thinking and yet they need to incorporate it into their current curriculum. This course can help. It will start with a collection of definitions and work through theory, examples, lesson plans, and exercises that will stimulate your incorporation of critical thinking in all your curriculum development. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

DRIVERS EDUCATION
Section Code: EDDX9025
The controversy over how safe teen drivers are continues. In the middle of that controversy is the educator who is given the critical responsibility to get through to these young drivers in hopes that they will begin to develop safe driving habits from the beginning. Success in this task can save lives. This course will introduce driver safety education to the driver’s education teacher and show the extensive resources they can draw upon from the Internet to help with this important responsibility. The skills gained from the investigations will provide the bases for more in-depth research on topics related to the course project. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

PHONICS PHOR READING
Section Code: EDDX9043
The debate between the use of phonics verses whole language to teach reading continues. This course guides you through exploring many Internet resources that address the issues surrounding phonics and that can enhance your use of phonics in your classroom. Research techniques are not limited to websites. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. You will then synthesize these resources to design and develop a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS
Section Code: PSYX9003
Counselors, teachers and administrators face a widening scope of emotional and behavioral disorders that when combined with a reduced ability to deal with them can have a tremendous impact on your classroom or school. A way of coping with these disorders is to recognize them early, understand the disorders and learn from educators and medical professionals who have handled these situations, and be aware of the resources and treatments available to the students and their parents. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

BULLYING
Section Code: PSYX9004
Breaking the bullying cycle is a challenge for educators. Virtually everyone has experienced a bully of one kind or another – in school, at work, in sports and in business. These people, for whatever personal reason, prey on those that are not as physically, emotionally, or mentally strong as they are. One of the first opportunities as educators to begin to do something about this is in school. By educating both the bully and the bullied, we may be able to break this cycle. But where do we begin? How do learn how to do “the right thing” when we tackle this problem. Many answers, options, and considerations are on the Internet. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

TEACHING TOLERANCE
Section Code: PSYX9005
Understanding and appreciating others becomes more and more important as the world get smaller and interactions between people becomes more common. Even in the U.S., the great “melting pot” of nationalities and religions, there remains a great amount of ignorance about other people. In this course you will explore a variety of websites that brings up the issues of tolerance for race, color, nationality, religion, physical condition, etc. These websites will also provide teaching ideas, tools and lesson plans. Use these resources to generate new approaches that will help your students understand the value of “tolerance” in their daily lives. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

SCHOOL VIOLENCE - TEACHERS MAKING SCHOOLS SAFE
Section Code: SCLX963
The Internet is a key to opening the door to countless resources that can be helpful in addressing problems of potential violence in your school. Learn how to use the Internet to research specific websites around the world that specialize in various aspects of school violence. Communicate with other people who share similar concerns and learn how to prepare yourself, your students, fellow teachers, and your communities to recognize the signs of violence as well as how to deal with the actual event should one happen. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

SCHOOL VIOLENCE-ADMINISTRATORS KEEPING THEIR SCHOOLS SAFE
Section Code: SCLX964
The role of schools has broadened far beyond the job of teaching the “3-Rs'.” Schools must also promote and provide a safe environment for students and staff. A safe learning environment begins with awareness and preparation for the many facets of violence. Learn how violence affects everyone: students, teachers, everyone in the community, law enforcement, and even the news media. This powerful research tool can help you to locate important sources on current and critical information about the signs and sources of, plus assistance with, potential school violence. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

ESL
Section Code: SCLX965
English is quickly becoming the primary language in the world today. Important information on TEFL and TESL can be discovered on the web. The Internet is full of countless resources addressing different challenges for the ESL student including vocabulary, grammar, writing and speaking. You will search websites that will help to increase your knowledge of communication techniques and learn why the culture and language are such an important issue and could lead to different approaches to teaching. Use this course to stimulate your awareness of the language skills and find new approaches to old ideas. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.

SPECIAL EDUCATION
Section Code: SCLX966
Special education covers a broad range of student learning needs from learning disabilities to severe mental retardation. In today's world, at least 10% of school children require some type of specialized education in order to succeed in schools. This course will open the door to the extensive amount of information on topics that fall under the general heading of “special education.” From this you will be able to research any topic of interest. You will also explore other Internet tools including communications systems, online videos, information sharing programs, photo and graphic production, online bibliography services, wikis, webquests and many other resources. Your course project will be the design and development of a lesson plan, or other type of project, that you can use with your students.