Category Archives for Classroom Environment

A Guide to the Scientific Method

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Teachers will develop knowledge, understanding and strategies for applying and implementing the Scientific Method into various academic disciplines.
2. Educators taking this course will be able to discern between Scientific Opinion vs. Scientific Methods by complying with valid procedures for accurate results.
3. Teachers will learn about the practices of scientific journals both positive and negative regarding their funder’s goals and journal publications conclusions. 
4. Educators will learn about Confirmation Bias and its influence on objectivity as it relates to advocacy, promotion and acceptance of unreliable research. 
5. Teachers will research valid Scientific Methods use as they related to medical issues, policy and procedures that affect students’ health and safety in school.
6. Teachers will examine these issues and develop lessons/activities that utilize strategies in the book for improving the use of scientific method applications.

A Framework For
Understanding Poverty

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will acquire a framework of the culture of poverty and the role of language.
2. Participants will learn about the hidden roles among social classes and how those roles influence how students work, behave and perceive the school experience.
3. Educators will learn about the characteristics of generational poverty and how the patters of behavior, problems and world views are passed to future generations.
4. Participants will explore the resources, role models, discipline and support systems.
5. Educators will research the culture of poverty issue regarding alternative theories and conclusions presented in the book, as well as present a variety of solutions.
6. Teachers will develop a lesson or unit plan that utilizes strategies or activities in the book and how to use instructional techniques to improve student achievement.

Love Languages for Educators

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn relevant knowledge of the different types of love styles and their relationship attachment theory issues for student and human applications.
2. Teachers will analyze possible causes of divorce, family issues and the impact on the affective needs of children, adolescents and student applications.
3. Participants will understand how to incorporate and evaluate the love languages of children, teens and students in classrooms and school environments.
4. Educators will be able to discern the 5 languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical touch and apply them appropriately. 
5. Educators will participate in family, friends as well as peer discussions and research topics related to the love language topics as applied to human relations.
6. Teachers will research articles with an emphasis on attachment theory as applied to Love deprivation in early childhood upbringing of students and impact on schooling.

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.

Smartphones in the Classroom: Strategies for Effective Implementation

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

From this course, participants will:

1. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of smart phone use in the classroom.
2. Construct an effective smart phone use policy.
3. Assess the educational value of various smart phone applications.
4. Create a lesson plan that effectively implements the use of student smart phone use.