Education Courses at Ashford University

This is an introductory course for students considering teaching as a career path or individuals seeking an increased understanding of the complexity and importance of education. The first focus is on topics in education that include, but are not limited to, teaching as a profession, diversity in the classroom, facilitation of student achievement and accountability, classroom management, and requirements for continuing professionalism in the field. The second focus of this course is on academic writing as a necessary component in the field of education.

This course examines the theory, analysis, development, and implementation of educational policy. It will explore the reasons for change in educational policy, ways to track its evolution, and manners in which educational policy may be influenced. The history of educational policy will also be explored.

This introductory course will cover learning theories including behaviorist, cognitive, constructivist and social learning as well as examine their relationship to instructional practices and course design. Basic principles and vocabulary for e-learning will be introduced. Additional topics covered will include factors that influence learning including motivation, learner engagement and learning styles. Students will begin to identify learning outcomes that can be addressed in an e-learning setting.

Students will be introduced to a variety of instructional design strategies and address the selection of specific strategies to address learning needs in an educational or training environment. The role of needs assessment to inform design and formative evaluation to monitor instructional effectiveness will be addressed in this course.

This course is designed to provide students with a broad view of the various components involved in education and schools today. An introduction to current legislation and trends in education as well as curriculum standards will be covered. The complex diversity of students today, as well as assessment and accountability issues, will also be addressed.

This course provides a sufficiently broad yet detailed exposure to the realities of teaching English Language Learners. The course is designed to prepare students to deliver content area instruction to English Language Learners with diverse abilities using the sheltered instruction approach.

This course provides an overview of sentinel events, theories, and important historical figures that have shaped the United States education system.

Students will be introduced to the various learning needs of adults from a generational perspective. Strategies and ideas for the development of training and instruction to address the needs of learners for present generations as well as learners from diverse backgrounds and cultures will be reviewed. The role of needs assessment to inform design and formative evaluation to measure instructional effectiveness will be addressed in this course.

The application of instructional design for online learning will be emphasized as students apply their knowledge to analyze, select and design instructional strategies that are most effective for engaging and teaching online learners. Students will learn methods for managing and delivering online instruction utilizing course management tools and multimedia technologies in both synchronous and asynchronous environments.

Students will examine the components of online instruction and classroom design for high-quality standards. Learners will evaluate and assess instructional design and its impact on student learning through a review of various sites and programs. Tools for evaluation of instructional material will be reviewed.

The use of e-learning to promote collaboration and teamwork in a virtual environment will be explored in this course. Opportunities for collaboration utilizing social networking and other tools will be evaluated. Students will utilize a variety of tools to experience real-time learning in the virtual classroom.

Brain development as related to human development and the capacity for learning will be explored throughout this course. The neuroscience of brain development and how this information translates into education, as well as the implications of this information for maximizing learning, memory, behavior and overall functioning, are topics that will be addressed.

Strategies and ideas for the use of technology to enhance learning will be explored in this course. The latest in Web applications will be explored and evaluated for their instructional application.

Strategies and ideas of including the latest in technology advancements to promote student engagement and learner success will be examined in this course. Mobil learning, the use of social media such as blogs, Facebook, etc. as well as other Web 2.0 applications will be explored and evaluated for instructional application.

Students will learn to identify the differences in formative and summative evaluation data and design online learning scenarios to address both of these. The effectiveness of e-learning will be explored through research. The philosophy, use and development of grading rubrics for assignments will be explored. Issues of plagiarism and cheating in e-learning will also be examined.

This course provides a sufficiently broad yet detailed exposure to the realities of teaching. The text introduces the vantage points of teaching in four main categories. Part I, the world of teachers and students. Part II, examines the structure, climate and culture of schools today. Part III, reviews the historical, philosophical, legal and financial foundations that shape our educational system. Part IV, provides opportunities to debate, explore and discuss educational issues and trends facing educators in the 21st century. The primary goals of this course are to support students by providing a comprehensive understanding of the world of teaching, by developing critical skills related to the teaching profession, and by developing a teaching philosophy.

Students will learn about the various theories and practices associated with adult learning. Various modalities of instruction will be addressed including e-learning, accelerated courses, and training sessions.

The influences of educational policy and its convergence with social justice will be studied in this course. Issues of race, gender, sexuality, globalism, and other multicultural issues within the study of politics and policy will be explored throughout this course.

The political dimensions of policy formation/implementation in education and the use of power to influence educational policy will be explored. Conflict resolution and the analysis of consequences and impact will be examined.

This class will explore the role of the teacher librarian and role of the library media center at three different levels of education (elementary, middle, and high school). Students will research programs, library practices, teaching styles and management in the facilitation of a library media center.

This course provides an overview of research, curricular content, and instructional practices associated with Research Based Systematic Phonics Instruction (RBSPI) and other methods for teaching reading. Emphasis and focus are on methods mandated by Arizona legislation. This course covers the history of written language, alphabetic reading and writing systems, and implementation of effective methods for reading instruction. Note: Students enrolled in EDU 371 will be required to find a student to teach or instruct for this course. The student can be a child or adult, age 5 or above. The time commitment will be approximately 3 hours per week for three weeks beginning the second week of this course. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Educational Psychology explores the theories of how people learn. Selected learning theories are analyzed from the perspective of teaching and learning. Developmental theory and environmental and social factors are explored as they interface with the learning process. Educational psychology’s research is applied to the measurement, assessment, and evaluation of learning and the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching-learning interactions.

Students will examine the pedagogy involved in designing, selecting and assessing curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners. The basics such as how to write learning outcomes based on academic standards to selecting the research based materials and activities to support student learning, will be covered. Evaluation of student learning will be included in the course.

Students will explore the variety of learning differences found in the classroom today including linguistically diverse students, students with mild to moderate disabilities as well as Gifted and Talented learners. Specific strategies and classroom accommodations that may be used at all levels to meet the needs of all students will be addressed. Working as a member of a collaborative team will also be covered.

The task of learning to read is a very complex process involving the application of perceptual, sensory, linguistic, and cognitive skills to making meaning of text. Exploration of the specific cognitive functions that are applied while reading and strategies supporting reading instruction and reading comprehension skills will be addressed. The implications of digital media on reading skills will also be explored in this course.

This course will explore different theories of intelligence, the use of intelligence tests to create a numeric score, and the impact of family and culture on intelligence. Educational expectations and programs based on intelligence scores and cultural biases that may impact educational opportunities.

In this capstone course, students in the Cognitive Studies degree program will demonstrate their attainment of the program learning outcomes through the completion of a project. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the General Education Capstone course.

A study of the educational, legal, sociological and ethical issues that influence public policy related to the provision of special education to students with disabilities.

This course will examine various factors influencing student achievement in public schools. Influencing factors will include motivation theories, as well as the impact of families, teachers and schools on student success. Issues of equity and access to quality educational programs will be considered.

Students will apply a systematic approach to instructional and informational design to meet specific identified learner outcomes. Applying all of the steps for instructional design students will bring together the strategies and theories explored in the pre-requisite courses to a learning project.

Instructional design requires careful and thoughtful collaboration among a variety of design team members. In this course various project management tools, procedures, and methodologies will be introduced as they are applied to projects in education or training. Students will explore the relationship of time constraints, cost, scope and the nature of the project being designed.

This course will provide students with hands-on experiences in strategies to access information in the 21st century, evaluate resources, and effectively use search engines to locate information. Students will learn Web 2.0 tools in a systematic way recommended by professional library associations.

This course will introduce students to the theory and methods of evaluating research methods. It explores the ways in which professionals identify and frame research and evaluation questions, assess current scholarly literature on specific topics, locate and critically use primary and secondary source data, and formulate worthwhile evaluation projects. Emphasis will be placed on the research tools and processes professionals use and the role information professionals play in their development, dissemination, and use.

This class will expose students to many different types of children and young adult literature, media, and resources. Students will develop material lists for different genres, explore current trends in student interests, and exhibit knowledge of library published journals.

Public policy issues in education including historical, international and political will be examined in light of current research perspectives. Current policy strategies for reforming U.S. public schools will be highlighted.

Current issues and debates in the field of education will be investigated. Students will examine the purpose of schooling and the challenges of meeting a variety of visions for what the school system should accomplish today.

This course focuses on the societal and political contexts in educational settings. Students will examine various issues that are likely to have an impact on teaching and learning in diverse educational settings. Educational policy areas considered include governance, curriculum, accountability, personnel development, and school finance.

This is the capstone course for social science majors with a concentration in education. The course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply learning from their professional programs of study in a comprehensive manner. Students will also assess the impact of their educational experiences on their ethical perspectives and critical thinking skills. Students will reflect on and evaluate their personal and professional growth, the benefits of lifelong learning, knowledge and strategy evaluation, and the impact of these elements on their future.

The Capstone Course is an opportunity for students to demonstrate understanding of the Library Science and Media program outcomes through the application of concepts and tools of inquiry to create learning environments, evaluate technology tools and applications for instruction and research, create learning opportunities for a variety of learners, and analyze literature materials for inclusion in specific settings and programs.

As the culmination of the BA in Instructional Design students throughout this course will complete a design project demonstrating their achievement of all program outcomes.

The capstone course is an examination of influences affecting policy development and decision-making in the education arena. It will cover policy management, policy execution, establishing and measuring criteria for policy success, and effective communication throughout the public policy process. This course is cumulative in nature, integrating knowledge and information attained throughout the completion of the EPP major.

This course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply learning from their professional program of study in a comprehensive manner. Students will also assess the impact of their educational experiences on their ethical perspectives and critical thinking skills. Students will reflect on and evaluate their personal and professional growth, the benefits of lifelong learning, knowledge and strategy evaluation, and the impact of these elements on their future.

This course provides an examination of the development of higher education in America as seen through historical, legal, philosophical, and social lenses. Students analyze influences of the European model and alternative approaches and the complex social settings in which these events occur. The development and range of today’s institutions are reviewed with implications for policy development.

This course reviews aspects of higher education including curriculum development, delivery, and assessment. Students will study theoretical foundations, models, and methods appropriate for adult learning. A review of literature on adult learning and development will be included.

This course examines the development and implementation of student support systems in higher education. Supports for student success and the environment in which these occur will be analyzed. Major issues and trends in diversity, security, accommodations, and ethics will be addressed.

This course analyzes the primary areas of operation in institutions of higher education including organizational structure and control, finance, institutional effectiveness, and accreditation. An analysis of recent innovations in higher education will be included.

This course brings focus to the skills, strategies, and considerations a facilitating educator must master to create and maintain a safe, orderly, and flexible environment that is conducive for learning. Participants in this class will increase their knowledge of techniques and strategies proven effective for classroom instruction and individual student behavior management.

This course emphasizes how formative and summative systems are embedded in a problem-based approach to assessment, and how different types of assessments appeal to different learners. Participants analyze research-proven assessment strategies and how to implement these to impact educational and program improvement. Participants will explore the issue of integrating instruction with assessment, or what has been popularly referred to as “teaching to the test.” The paradigm shift from assessment of learning to assessment for learning is highlighted.

Instructional Practice specialization graduates engage in continuous and collaborative planning processes to address the needs of diverse learners they encounter in today’s educational environments. Graduates will address planning and preparation techniques to accommodate English language learners, special education, gifted, physically challenged, and mainstreamed students that are consistent with strategies that benefit all. Emphasis is on triangulating curricular demands, assessment, and the lesson-planning process. A variety of instructional models and strategically-placed combinations of formative and summative assessments are employed to ensure mastery of targeted goals.

This course has several main objectives. First, it will explore what it means to integrate STEM. Second, it will investigate what skills students should be learning to aid them in integrating STEM into their curriculum. Third, it will analyze the importance of teaching reading in the content area. Fourth, it will critique and develop activities with an emphasis on bringing "excitement" to the STEM and Literacy classrooms. Finally, it will align learning practices with the New Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core Standards, and classroom strategies.

This course introduces students to the core beliefs of No Excuses University and the Six Exceptional Systems for universal achievement leading to classroom and school success. Students will practice skills associated with candid collaboration and select specific areas of focus that will support them in the development of their own Collaboration Commitment. By understanding the foundational steps of the exceptional system staircase, students will be able to apply what is learned to their own practice and be prepared to follow the next steps as featured in the second course of the Exceptional Systems for Revolutionizing Education specialization, EDU 597 Creating a System of Standards, Assessment, & Data Management.

This course allows students to establish meaningful connections between a culture of universal achievement and committed collaboration with the next steps on the exceptional systems staircase: standards, assessment, and data management. By breaking down a standard into manageable parts, selecting effective assessments to determine student growth, and constructing an effective data management system for teachers and learners, students in this course will gain practical skills that can be directly applied to their professional practice. As such, students will be prepared to follow the next steps featured in the third course of the Exceptional Systems for Revolutionizing Education specialization, EDU 598 Creative Interventions & the Success Equation.

In this course, students will connect the first five steps of the Exceptional Systems staircase through the creation of successful interventions. More specifically, students will discover the relationship between effective data translation, committed collaboration, and implementation of appropriate learner interventions. Practical and effective ways to help all learners reach their next level of success and help schools get better results are at the heart of the course. Key concepts learned and practiced in the course can be directly applied to students’ professional practice, support their professional development, and prepare them for the final course in the Exceptional Systems for Revolutionizing Education specialization, EDU 599 Exceptional Leadership – Turning Bold Choices Into Results.

In this final course for the Exceptional Systems for Revolutionizing Education specialization, students discover what it means to be a leader as well as how the choices leaders make impact learner, teacher, and school success. Leadership traits and practices bring students full circle with the Six Exceptional Systems and provide opportunities for practical application of learned concepts with current and potential practice in the field of education.

This course presents an overview of the online learning environment from the instructor's point of view. It is a description of the terminology, tools, and skills needed to create a successful online learning experience. Areas addressed in this course include basic online learning concepts, the roles of the teacher and student in online learning, and the components of the online learning environment. Also covered in the course are teaching methodologies, types of blended learning, and guidelines for making the transition from the traditional classroom to the online classroom. Hardware, software, and other tools and technologies used in online learning are discussed.

This course covers the basic tools needed for student success in an online learning environment. Topics include communication, collaboration, and software skills required to succeed in online learning. Also covered are instructor and student responsibilities and expectations, as well as potential roadblocks to success. Tools and techniques for organizing, prioritizing, and completing course tasks are discussed. Finally, instructional methods for guiding students and evaluating student progress in online courses are also addressed.

This course examines approaches that assess student knowledge and skills in the online learning environment. Directed instruction, or objectivism, is compared and contrasted with constructivist or inquiry-based learning and assessment theories. Traditional assessment strategies are discussed as applied in directed instructional models of online learning. Nontraditional assessment approaches are explored in constructivist models, such as group products, web pages, multimedia projects, student portfolios, and student projects graded by self-report assessment instruments and rubrics. This course will focus on the use of discussions, pre- and post-testing, writing activities, graded assessments, self-grading assessments, and hands-on projects on student learning and assessment.

Students will explore contemporary literature for children and young adults at the early childhood, elementary, middle and high school levels. The ability to select and evaluate quality literature for children and youth, and the skills necessary to plan and integrate literature into a K-12 program will be addressed.

Learners will have the opportunity to demonstrate professional skills and knowledge in meeting the unique needs of online learners by using a Learning Management System (LMS) to develop their own online course. Learners will create engaging content and activities that reflect best practices for promoting critical thinking, student retention, and ensuring a robust community environment in the online classroom. Learners will use a professional online course evaluation instrument to rate their courses and those of their peers to inform the improvement and finalization of a quality online course.

The tremendous growth of technology has had an enormous impact on academics, and knowledge acquired has perpetually altered the dynamics of teaching. However, pedagogical preparations for the use of the new learning technologies requires an understanding of their worth in the context of historical implications, philosophical foundations, educational psychology, and learning theories.

The focus will be on issues related to the use of technology in learning including equity, access, technology literacy, plagiarism, the effective use of games and simulations, and the trend toward e-learning. Students will evaluate various examples of technology-based instruction for instructional quality as well as relevance to the classroom and training environment. Course assignments will include participation in discussions, evaluation of courseware, online journal articles and other web sites, and individual reviews of relevant literature.

The course will explore the role of the change agent in the identification, planning, implementation, and assessment of change initiatives for improved achievement. The impact of change on the individual, course, program, and system level will be studied. Research-based standards for successful leadership will be identified and applied as students examine the impact of administration and management on teaching and learning.

This course focuses on the application of technology to enhance instruction. Students will be exposed to the courseware, software applications, and technologies used in instructional technology and discuss ways they can be used effectively. Course assignments and projects require the use of productivity tools, presentation tools, digital imaging, Internet Websites, and online learning platform technologies. Teaching style with technology-based instruction will be explored. Various software and hardware tools will be utilized to enhance presentations, strengthen professional productivity, and encourage critical thinking skills of learners.

Parent and community involvement is a crucial element to school success. Promoting the social, emotional and academic skills necessary for student success in the 21st century requires a team effort of collaboration with schools, families and the community. Students in this course will explore strategies and research for engaging partners in the ongoing education of children in the community.

This course fosters awareness of individual learner characteristics that impede successful achievement. Milder forms of learning disabilities, emotional disorders, and dysfunctional social conditions that are prevalent in typical instructional situations are evaluated. Alternative pedagogies utilizing computer technology applications to alleviate such barriers are explored.

The focus in this course is the development of resources to be used for instruction. Using the information gathered from previous courses, the student creates a project that engages learners in interactive activities. The activities in this course will utilize technology as a tool to enhance pedagogical practices. The performance outcomes of these activities must promote both creative and complex thinking skills.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the Master of Arts in Education Program. Students will engage in self-assessment and reflection focused on the philosophy of serving the needs of all students within the context of the community.

In this course the student identifies and explores the internal and external factors that serve to challenge teachers and trainers in instructional environments. Logistical and behavioral components of creating an engaging learning environment are explored. Individual and group dynamics with the integration of technology are evaluated.

In this course the student accesses sources of educational information, evaluates research evidence, studies various types of educational resources, and applies research to the instructional setting. The focus of this course is research on issues in educational technology and the use of technology tools for making data-driven decisions using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

This course explores strategies and techniques to support the success of language and culturally diverse students. The values, customs, and communication styles of cultural groups and their implication for teaching are considered. Research-based instructional approaches to developing English learner literacy will be examined.

This course will support teachers and others with the development of practical strategies and tools to support community-wide efforts to strengthen and support youth today. Advocacy for youth development as well as strategies to support youth from a wide range of backgrounds will be addressed.

Students will explore and experience the impact of interpersonal communication concepts and skills upon the creation and maintenance of positive human relationships. The student will develop a knowledge base of selected cultural groups to acquire the competency to identify basic cultural modalities that have an effect upon the teaching and learning processes. Students will demonstrate the integration of the course content to their own personal values and teaching styles. The student will also demonstrate application of human relationship skills to the educational setting and the community.

In this course students will study the structure of the English language in order to better understand the difficulties that arise in learning a second language. English phonology, syntax, analysis, and application of linguistic theory will be studied.

Strategies for English Language Learners in the content areas while maintaining a language development focus will be illustrated. Specific strategies, materials, technology, and learning activities will be examined to support learning.

This course will examine public policies in place to support children and families in at-risk situations. A focus on the services and programs offered to support families and children as well as the development of protective factors in families will be offered in this course.

Supporting the measurement of 21st Century Thinking Skills requires assessments that appropriately measure student skills and content knowledge. Such assessments must be meaningful, relevant and supportive of long-term success in the 21st century and be used to monitor student progress, driving instructional decisions to meet the needs of all learners. Using real-world applications, students of EDU 645 will learn how student learning is enhanced through instructional & curricular rigor and alignment of formative and summative assessments. Further, how student measurement data can be used to monitor student progress and make instructional decisions will be explored.

This course will focus on establishing relationships and partnerships within families and community of diverse cultures. Specific strategies in developing programs promoting cultural competence within families and communities will be explored. Students will analyze available family and community resources within their community in promoting and supporting cultural diversity.

This first course is an overview of the field of educational technology including instructional design, influence of learning theory on technology application as well as the various technologies available and their application to learning.

This course focuses on identifying appropriate technologies for teaching and learning. Special attention will be directed in analyzing teaching and learning styles. Identifying and evaluating technologies to meet individual needs will be explored in both educational and corporate environments.

This course is designed give students a real world perspective into what it is like to teach, learn, and lead in the 21st century classroom. This course provides an opportunity for students to experience the world of the classroom and analyze the range of perspectives and topics that impact being a successful teacher, learner, and leader in the 21st century. The course will bring together a unique set of ‘voices’ from the field, to explore the contemporary nature of what it is like to teach in today’s changing schools while focusing on identifying innovations that can develop students’ capacity to be agents of innovation, collaboration, and creativity.

Students will explore teaching and learning in virtual worlds. Project-based design, facilitation, and evaluation of instruction, research, and other resources will be examined. The use of online collaboration for student learning and effective uses of various technologies for social networking will be explored.

This course covers various elements of the instructional design process including needs assessment, instructional problems, learner characteristics, instructional objectives, content sequencing, instructional strategies, and evaluation instruments. Students are expected to learn how to plan, develop, evaluate, and manage the design of effective instructional materials.

The course will examine education theories, methods, and strategies for the improvement of instruction in higher education. Emphasis will be placed on the unique challenges of teaching in a changing environment in higher education. Students will explore factors that affect adult learning and the organizational cultures that promote or inhibit learning.

The course will examine student development theories from a socio-cultural and psychological developmental perspective. Factors affecting the teaching and learning related to the college environment will be analyzed. Theories of student development and their applications in student affair programs, services, and activities will be reviewed.

Students gain the necessary skills and knowledge to design effective instructional materials for use in an on-line learning environment. Powerful innovations that may redefine teaching and learning practices will be explored throughout the course.

This course will allow students to develop an understanding of the planning for and application of technology for training that meets institutional and organizational needs. Students will utilize technology to effectively develop a request for proposal plan for training utilizing technology to inform, motivate, and prepare learners.

The course will provide an overview of the historical development and cultural backgrounds of higher education in America. Emphasis will be placed on the major themes and developments in American higher education including the ideologies, people, cultures, and movements that have particularly influenced those developments. Current issues and trends in higher education will be explored.

This course focuses on leadership in the educational or corporate environment to bring about change required to meet learning and training needs. Students will evaluate their personal leadership in their professional environment. Leadership tools to provide increased learning opportunities will be used to design learning experiences and evaluate results.

Various tools and methodologies for assessing English proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing for both ELL children and adults will be critiqued. Formative and summative assessments will be explored with an emphasis on the application and appropriateness of their use for instructional design.

Various tools and methodologies for assessing English proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing for both ELL children and adults will be critiqued. Formative and summative assessments will be explored with an emphasis on the application and appropriateness of their use for instructional design.

The course will study the relationships between planning and student learning at course, program, and institutional levels. Modes of curriculum design, development and change in higher education will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on examining curricular leadership and assessment strategies.

Reviews of various research based reading programs will be examined critically. Evaluation will be based on cost, alignment to standards, and research in regard to program effectiveness. Intervention programs for struggling readers and their role in a traditional school setting will be explored.

This course will support teachers and others in working with students to improve reading comprehension across all areas of the curriculum. Research investigations into the brain activity required for reading comprehension will be reviewed. Specific strategies for addressing reading comprehension difficulty will be explored.

This course will emphasize the connection of reading and writing with a focus on the content areas. Students will be exposed to a variety of approaches including vocabulary techniques, comprehension strategies, and study techniques to use with learners. Issues of assessment, motivation, and cultural as well as linguistic diversity will also be addressed.

This educational research course is designed to teach students how to use digital sources to locate and evaluate research articles and apply that information in a learning environment. Students will also consider ethical aspects of research. Finally, students will evaluate and propose ways to become change agents by effectively applying action research principles to real world educational problems and issues.

During this course, students will learn about and use evidence-based differentiated strategies and materials to meet diverse academic instruction that incorporate the progressive needs of 21st century learners using student’s cultural schemata (i.e., personal experiences, cultural/language norms and family belief systems). Instruction will align with the Common Core State Standards and alternative assessment methods to provide a rich inquiry of learning styles while applying strategies that promote critical thinking and incorporate digital tools and resources.

The course will provide an overview of the foundational pieces necessary for effective design and delivery of curriculum and instruction. Current trends will be compared and contrasted with brain-based research from the field. Emphasis will be placed on processes and procedures for developing both an engaging curriculum and a caring and responsive learning environment.

Change Leadership for the Differentiated Educational Environment is designed to ensure that students demonstrate mastery of the MAED program learning outcomes through the continuation of the capstone project. This course bridges the learning activities between EDU 671 Fundamentals of Educational Research and EDU 695 MAED Capstone. This course experience is designed to ensure that students continue their exploration of action research principles in which they will seek out and solve an organizational problem within their area of concentration. Topics in this course will be related to implementing change in an organization, evaluating the impact of the applied intervention, communicating outcomes, collaboration, and 21st century leadership practices.

The course will teach a backward design model for curriculum and instruction that emphasizes clear targets and goals for increased achievement. Curriculum integration and mapping techniques will be examined and implemented as students model the power of collaborative planning and individual reflection. A variety of delivery models will be explored.

The course will define and apply the concepts of differentiated instruction and systems thinking in the development of curriculum and instruction. Processes and procedures for monitoring and evaluating programs will lead to an understanding of the complexity of an effective change process for increased achievement.

The course will simulate the real-world role of the change agent in successful implementation of curriculum and instruction for improved teaching and learning. Students will identify a need, develop an action plan, implement the steps of the plan, and evaluate both individual and organizational achievement that results. Prerequisite: Completion of the previous four Curriculum & Instruction courses or instructor approval.

In this course, students will examine theories, organizational learning outcomes, and models of assessment and evaluation that lead to institutional improvement and effectiveness in the use of technology. Students will follow a logic model to conduct a program evaluation and develop a proposal for organizational improvement.

Students will learn how to develop a shared vision of student achievement and integrate it into the school plan. By developing and articulating a belief system and shared vision of teaching and learning, students will learn how to link improved teaching strategies to school-wide and district-wide instructional priorities. From this initial building of a shared vision, students will develop a theory of action directed at getting to the shared vision by ensuring that relevant student data are available and examined regularly. Students will learn and apply strategies for guiding, motivating, delegating and building consensus among diverse constituencies in the school and community. The reality is that school leaders must encounter multiple voices in the community and as such, they need to ensure that those voices are part of the consensus building for shared visions of schooling.

This course is designed to provide an opportunity for participants to learn how to advocate, nurture, and sustain a school culture and instructional program that is conducive to student learning and staff professional growth in a standards-based system of learning. In this course students will develop an understanding of the rationale for and the components of standards based curriculum and instruction and how they link to students’ learning needs. Students will learn to apply student data to determine policy decisions and leadership actions to improve the instructional program. They will learn to apply site-based teacher-practice data to determine leadership actions to drive professional development and identify student support systems that result in increased student performance. Students will also explore research on diverse learning styles and differentiating instruction for all learners. It is in this course that students learn the power of a system-based approach that builds coherence through a standards-based curriculum and instruction; supervision that supports differentiated instruction in support of accelerating student learning, and the development, implementation, and evaluation of professional development that supports standards-based curriculum and instruction.

Students are introduced to safe school environments, data-driven decision-making strategies, practice using various assessment tools and monitoring systems for teaching and learning, and learn district, state, and federal accountability systems. Students will gain an understanding of the legal polices pertaining to classified and certificated personnel. Students will also continue to apply a system-based approach that builds coherence through the alignment of fiscal, human, and material resources to support the learning of all sub-groups of students.

This course develops students' ability to model integrity and justice while learning and applying a variety of decision-making and problem-solving strategies. In this course, students will write a personal code of ethics that includes their moral purpose and belief system for the improvement of teaching and learning. Students will also address issues of equity such as race, language, religions, and sexual harassment. Students will learn ways to inspire and motivate others, and to effectively communicate shared decision-making outcomes to stakeholders. Students will continue to build understanding around the leadership practices that create a learning-centered and trustworthy school community that provides high levels of learning for all students.

Using LiveText software, students will begin to create an electronic, professional, portfolio that documents personal and professional growth. Artifacts that parallel INTASC standards will be required for classroom teachers. Corporate trainers will focus on skill-based instruction and outcomes in accordance with the NETS-T standards. This will be an ongoing project through the remainder of the courses within this program and will be finalized in EDU 697.

This course provides rich opportunities for participants to learn how culture, creativity, and innovation impact teaching and student learning in the 21st century. Participants will adopt a global perspective of teaching and learning to understand how the infusion of 21st century skills impacts curriculum and prepares learners for the challenges associated with living and working in the 21st century. Through scenario-based activities, participants will directly apply skills needed to make informed decisions about the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally relevant instructional practices to support the learning of 21st century skills.

Capstone I: Educational Research guides students through the process of becoming an effective change agent by applying action research principles to current educational challenges and issues. Students will locate and evaluate research articles for scholarship, relevancy, and ethical neutrality. The topics covered during this course include implementing change in an education-based organization, evaluating the impact of the applied intervention, communicating outcomes, collaboration, and 21st-century leadership practices.

The Capstone is a course in which students will demonstrate their attainment of the program outcomes through a spiraled process of skill demonstration including reflection, application, and evaluation. First, students will reflect on patterns in academic work as well as design and development challenges associated with previous course work so as to take control of one’s professional growth and become a more self-directed learner. Next, students apply the framework of 21st Century teaching and learning to redesign prior MAED activities and then evaluate how 21st Century skills influence program learning outcomes. Last, students will use digital tools to showcase their scholarly artifacts through the creation of a digital portfolio for both course, and professionally related purposes.

Capstone II: Culminating Project is a course in which students will demonstrate their attainment of the program outcomes through a spiraled process of skill demonstration including reflection, application, and evaluation. First, students will reflect on patterns in academic work as well as design and development challenges associated with previous coursework so as to take control of one’s professional growth and become a more self-directed learner. Next, students apply the framework of 21st century teaching and learning to redesign prior coursework and then evaluate how 21st century skills influence program learning outcomes. Last, students will use digital tools to showcase their scholarly artifacts through the creation of a digital portfolio for both courses, and for professionally related purposes.

This Capstone course requires students to synthesize their skills and knowledge acquired throughout the MATLT program. The Capstone project must present a practical application that is appropriate for a professional environment in the students’ chosen field of work, be appropriate for inclusion in a professional portfolio, and incorporate a relevant problem or issue that can be supported through formal research. Furthermore, the project should demonstrate significant content across the spectrum of MATLT courses and promote the accomplishment of professional and personal goals. In addition, students will create a professional brochure highlighting their skills, strengths, and educational preparation.