CD 2160 Child Development & Guidance Growth and behavior of a child from the prenatal stage through early childhood as well as guidance techniques for each stage of development. CD 2650 The Role of Content in Early Childhood This course teaches the student the elements of art, music, creative play, movement, science and mathematics. Included in the course is learning to plan creative activities in these curriculum areas based on the developmental needs of children. An emphasis will be placed on the integration of these content areas into the daily or weekly plans for children's learning in the affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains. Developmentally appropriate assessment is stressed so that individualized activities can be developed to facilitate the child's progressing through the content areas. CD 3930 Preschool Field Experience This class is taken concurrently with CD 358. It provides the field experience for observing, planning and practicing strategies that are learned in CD 358. EDU 5000 Current Developments in Teaching and Learning Theory This course involves a critical analysis of major principles of teaching and classroom learning. An investigation of the psychological and philosophical foundations of various theories of learning as applied to effective instruction and schooling. Recent trends in education are examined as they relate to the practice of teaching. EDU 5050 American Education: Historical, Social, and Political Perspectives  A focus on the historical events, ideological controversies, and political and social forces that have shaped the American education system from the colonial period to the present. Designed to develop in educational leaders an understanding of the relationship between schooling and society. EDU 5070 Schooling in Comparative and International Perspectives  Provides an overview of education systems and developments in selected countries; describes major similarities and differences among these systems of education; and delineates exemplary practices of some countries that may be worth emulating by others. Particular attention is given to assessing Americans education in international context, and to inquiring about developments around the world that may have important implications for the improvement of American schools. EDU 5080 Instructional Research and Evaluation A focus on the knowledge and skills needed by educational leaders to evaluate programs within the areas of their professional responsibility. Evaluation of research activities and examination of when and how the contributions of more advanced evaluation professionals should be consulted. CD 5120 Trends in Early Childhood Curriculum The in-depth study of innovations, research and controversies in early childhood curricula. The emphasis is on learning to integrate best practice with community curricula expectations and to adapt learning tasks in light of learning styles and developmental challenges. CD 5160 Assessment of the Young Child The study of theoretical foundations and procedures appropriate for evaluating the development and learning of the young child. Special considerations given to the assessment of young children with special needs and diversity issues. Connections are made between understanding and appropriate usage of formal and informal assessment, current assessment issues and assessment strategies. CD 5520 Leadership in Early Childhood The study of the conditions necessary for developing skills of advocacy for children and families based on an understanding of social policy and how it is influenced. Questions of child development are emphasized in relation to these conditions and understandings. Linkages are made between advocacy skills and skills of collaboration with members of the professional community. EDU 5240 Application of Technology in P-12 Schools This course will explore the historical and social context of current technology and project future roles and trends based on published research. Issues relating to professional development, resources evaluation, professional empowerment, and diversity will be addressed. Students will survey the software and hardware available to support teaching, communication, and multimedia. The course will examine social and ethical issues facing P-12 schools. EDU 5250 Hardware Configuration in P-12 Schools Students will learn key elements of system design, installation and configuration including security and data integrity. Students will survey current adaptive/assistive technology and explore issues related to the promotion of health and safety. Evaluation and management of hardware assets will be explored in the context of school-level and district-level decision- making. EDU 5260 Best Practice Teaching with Tech Students learn strategies for integrating technology into instructional units to promote creativity and higher order thinking. Emphasis will be placed on aligning instruction with the Michigan Curriculum Framework while facilitating secondary behaviors such as collaboration, problem solving, and communication. This course requires a 20 hour field experience. EDU 5510 Innovations in Classroom Literacy The study of current issues and best classroom practices that inform the ongoing evolution of reading/writing education. The course emphasizes the theoretical perspectives of each practice, and the implications for program development. Best practice research is drawn from the areas of reading and writing across the curriculum. Students will complete a theory-to-practice study of literacy that will demonstrate their professional growth. EDU 5650 Education and the Community  The development of the knowledge and competencies needed by educational leaders to work professionally with their communities, including communication, community organizations and structures, role of key community actors and parents, volunteerism, and the community education concept. EDU 5710 Change in Educational Organizations The study of change in educational organizations will involve learning important components of educational change and collaborative leadership. The course emphasizes methods for fostering analysis and communication necessary for changing standards of practice. A field component encouraging participation as an educational change agent will be a vital part of this experience, enabling students to make connections to holistic evaluation, program improvement and community involvement. EDU 5820 Diversity in the Classroom The study of factors which contribute to diversity in modern classrooms and the implications for practice. The course focuses on a critical theory interpretation of inclusion, multiculturalism, power relations and changing demographics. Connections are made to wider sociological issues. A field component consisting of a classroom case study will be integrated into this course. EDU 5950 Curriculum Leadership A focus on the knowledge and skills needed to exercise leadership in curriculum at several levels and in many roles. Emphasis on the historical, theoretical, and political foundations of the curriculum field; the curriculum planning process; curricular trends in subject fields and across the curriculum; curriculum management. EDU 6240 Information Management in the Classroom The study of technology-based strategies for the collection, management, and analysis of classroom information to enhance learning and increase teacher productivity. Students will learn to develop web-based resources for instruction and communication with parents. The course will emphasize the use of both generic and education specific applications for data management and statistical computation. Connections are made to student motivation, holistic evaluation, program improvement and parental involvement. EDU 6250 Multimedia Applications for Learning The study of advanced uses of computer-based technology for instruction.  The course emphasizes information retrieval, website construction, distance learning, and the integration of a variety of media.  Strategies for assessing the efficacy of different media types of learning will be emphasized. EDU 6260  Instructional Design and Multimedia Students will study how learning principles and research can be used to guide the development of computer-based instruction. The course emphasizes the authorship of instructional units that include information retrieval, web site construction, distance learning and the integration of video and multimedia. Students will be required to become familiar with professional authoring packages. Strategies for assessing the efficacy of different media with different types of learning will be emphasized. EDU 6270 Leadership in Technology This course prepares students to provide technology leadership, including strategic planning, purchasing, and evaluation at the district level. Students will learn to design and deliver professional development opportunities for in-service teachers. District-level curriculum alignment, program evaluation, and resource management will be emphasized. Social and ethical issues will be addressed. EDU 6360 Motivation for Achievement The study of contemporary motivation theories and the potential application of this knowledge in educational settings. The course stresses the costs of competitive learning environments that emphasize performance goals and the benefits of learning environments that maximize learning goals and students' intrinsic interest in learning. The relationships between achievement goals, social goals, cognition, and assessment will be highlighted throughout. EDU 6610 Best Practice Classrooms The study of best practice in classrooms involves a critical analysis of current best instructional practices. The course emphasizes an investigation of the research and theoretical foundations of each practice, as they relate to practical applications in the classroom. A field component, consisting of classroom observations focusing on comparative analyses of each practice will be a vital part of this experience. Connections are made to student motivation, program improvement and enhanced pedagogy. CD   6940 Action Research Project in Early Childhood This study applies theoretical understandings gained throughout the Program to practice as students engage in an action research project. Reflective inquiry and demonstration of self-knowledge are articulated into a personal code of professional behavior. EDU 6950 Project in Teaching and Learning: Seminar This course is intended to provide a synthesis of course work and professional experiences as students near completion of their program. Action research topics will be classroom-centered and drawn from the professional experiences of the students. The culminating portfolio assignment will consist of an oral presentation and a written report of a classroom-based or school district-based action research project.