Category Archives for ED501

Teaching Children with Autism

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the latest theories and interventions about teaching children with autism and their language and communication challenges.
2. Teachers will be presented with concepts of overselective responding, descriptions and the spontaneous communicative skills of higher-functioning children with autism.
3. Educators will examine parent education and stress issues, family support and how to develop friendships with mainstream children.
4. Students will research the latest techniques in teaching children with autism and examine models for relationships between education professionals and parents.
5. Teachers will develop lessons, activities and writings that help them understand and work with autistic children in classrooms and schools.

Child Obesity: Change Your Brain, Change Your Body

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will be presented with the ten principals for changing your brain and body that includes the brain's physiology and action steps to address any deficiencies.
2. Participants will learn about balancing brain chemistry to regain control over cravings and the will power robbers that keep individuals from their optimal weight.
3. Educators will learn about the ideal foods to meet the nutritional needs of the brain in order to function at optimum levels both physically and mentally for focus and learning.
4. Participants will review the role of exercise to the body as well as the value to the brain that include positive behavior, better sleep, hormone balancing and other benefits.
5. Educators will examine the new brain and body science as it relates to them personally and develop lessons or activities that address health and child obesity issues in schools.

Character Education in Our Schools

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the case for teaching values and character (VC) in schools as well as the why? and what concepts should be taught.
2. Teachers will review what values and good character are and strategies on how to teach respect and responsibility as a roll model, caregiver and mentor.
3. Educators will be presented with strategies to present Moral Discipline in a democratic classroom community and school environment.
4. Students will learn to be able to teach values through the curriculum in a cooperative learning structure as well as how to teach controversial issues in schools.
5. Teachers will develop writings, lessons or activities for implementing values and character education concepts for classroom and school implementation.

Career Counseling: Essential Elements

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will examine the myths and realities of career counseling as well as the latest theories and technological developments in career counseling.
2. Teachers will review the context of career planning and the relationships involved within the various disciplines and the associated responsibilities.
3. Counselors will be presented with strategies for defining and addressing student concerns, decisions and the problems they will encounter in self-understanding.
4. Students will be able to use career counseling websites to access trends in labor markets and get guidance for making a virtual career center at their school.
5. Teachers will develop writings that use action plans, career planning, consolidating career decisions and evaluating student progress in counseling settings.

Boys and Girls Learn Differently

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Students will have a working knowledge of the inherent differences in learning approaches between boys and girls and how their minds are different.
2. Participants will analyze the social and psychological dynamics involving gender differences such as brain functional and chemical differences, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gender approach.
3. Educators will learn how to identify high-performing at-risk students and what parents can do to intervene when their child begins to fail in school.
4. Educators will examine the ideal classroom environments for pre-school, elementary, middle and high school classrooms. Strategies that stimulate and nurture student learning are also provided.
5. Teachers will write chapter reviews, research the topic and develop an application paper or lesson project activities that utilize the course content as it applies to classroom instruction and learning environments.

Biology of Belief

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the new developments in science and biology regarding myths and realities of cell functions, genetic predetermination and the primacy of DNA.
2. Participants will learn about the significant impact that environment has on cellular biology, healthy body functioning, disease and how thoughts affect the brain and body.
3. Educators will be introduced to Epigenetics: the new science of self-empowerment and the laws of quantum physics as they relate to human improvement and behavior.
4. Participants will view The Living Matrix: The New Science of Healing DVD to explore bioengenetic research and knowledge from holistic healers, scientists and psychologists.
5. Educators will examine their professional lives as they relate to working in today's schools and how they can integrate the course content in classrooms and schools.

Positive Thinking and Behavior for Today's Schools

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how to go beyond positive thinking to develop right thinking and to realize the power and potential truth about ourselves that we possess.
2. Teachers will examine myths and misinformation about superficial positive thinking and show how to take self-talk affirmations to a higher and more effective level.
3. Educators will be presented with writing samples and techniques for developing effective positive affirmations and self talk for writing assignments and classroom use.
4. Students will be able to use quality positive affirmations to improve their instructional delivery and writing as well as student empowerment and personal success.
5. Teachers will develop writings, lessons and affirmations for classroom and student applications as well as for their own personal effectiveness.

Asperkids: Understanding Children with Asperger's Syndrome

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the theories of how and what goes on in the minds of children with Aspergers syndrome and develop an understanding of how they think.
2. Teachers will examine the various ways of motivating Asperkids by finding and using areas of interest to engage Aspergers kids by listening and facilitating their passions.
3. Educators will be presented with numerous approaches to help Asperkids perceive the world in concrete sequential ways as they learn random and abstract ways of thinking.
4. Educators will be able to use the specific strategies to help Asperkids in preparation skills that help them with various methods of getting around obstacles and challenges.
5. Teachers will develop lessons and activities that utilize various strategies in the book that help Asperkids learn practical skills so they can succeed in school and society.

Art and Science of Teaching

- 2 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will establish the concepts of blending scientific instructional methods with creative, artistic, social and personal relationships to help students effectively.
2. Teachers will examine how to generate effective test hypotheses to deepen student understanding of instructional content for better learning outcomes.
3. Educators will review adherence to rules and procedures to keep students engaged while maintaining a positive and effective learning 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 writings, lessons or activities that determine specific teaching directions for cohesive unites and effective classroom instruction.

Helping Adolescents with ADHD & Learning Disabilities

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will have a working knowledge about the specific definitions and spectrum ofproblems that students with ADHD and Learning Disabilities may have.
2. Participants will be able to understand the legal requirements and main laws dealing withstudent disabilities and the underlying premises of IDEA and section 504 plans.
3. Participants will explore the resources, role models, discipline and support systems.
4. 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.
5. Educators will view a video, write an essay or develop lesson or unit plans utilizing the information in the book for classroom and school applications.