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Online Master of Education in Elementary Education curriculum

Curriculum Details

34 total credits required

You can complete the online Master of Education in Elementary Education program in one year.

This 13-course degree program includes one endorsement. Choose from English to speakers of other languages (ESOL), math, reading or science.

View the course catalog.

Professional Development

Credits

The course is designed to examine the cultural, pedagogical, and social factors that can impact children’s development and academic achievement. Developmental psychologists suggest that cultural, pedagogical, and social factors can impact children’s development and academic achievement. In order to enhance student learning, teachers must not only be aware of these factors, they must also know how to create responsive educational environments reflective of our pluralistic society.

To prepare classroom teachers for teaching content courses in an online format.

This course is a study of issues currently faced by education. The course is structured by topics that are presently impacting the educational environment. All age perspectives (p-12) and all levels (local, regional, state, and national) are explored in this class. The students are asked to research and explore the past, present, and future of education in light of an examination of current media sources, professional writings, journals, and books. Through critical reflection and research the students are challenged to make direct applications into what is best for education.

Research

Credits

A study of research methods, procedures and design. Emphasis is placed upon critical thinking, evaluation and application. 

Note(s): Recommended to take by second semester of enrollment.

Methods

Credits

This course focuses on current approaches to language arts instruction for grades pre-K-5 including content knowledge, curriculum design, instructional strategies appropriate for this age group, skills to be taught, activities, and materials. Emphasis is on holistic, integrated language arts instruction, incorporating the oral and written language skill areas.

Math methods, materials, content and activities for the young child are included.

Emphasis is placed on recent curricular developments and changes in the philosophical approaches to the teaching of science in the elementary classroom. Student activities include the research of instructional and the creation of instructional materials incorporating current techniques for teaching science.

This course moves the experienced teacher beyond the usual reliance upon textbooks found in the typical social studies classroom and into the level of teacher as lead instructor. Students in this course will explore innovative topics and instructional practices found in the social studies and will use them in their own classrooms to enhance learning.

ESOL Endorsement (Choose one)

Credits

This course explores concepts of culture and its relationship to teaching and learning in the classroom. Prospective ESOL teachers will examine major concepts, principles, theories, and research on culturally responsive learning environments and strategies for teaching English learners.

This course examines language development and how English learners acquire language proficiency. Prospective ESOL teachers will demonstrate an understanding of language as a system and apply theories and research in language acquisition and development to support English learners.

Prerequisite(s): ED 639

Contains field experience.

This course focuses on the development of instructional methods and the selection of appropriate materials to support English learners in academic content areas. Prospective ESOL teachers will develop abilities to assess learners’ needs and language development and apply strategies for teaching reading, writing, speaking, and listening to English learners. This course contains a practicum component. Prerequisite(s): ED 639, ED 642

Math Endorsement (Choose one)

Credits

This is the first mathematics course required to receive the mathematics endorsement. This course is designed for individuals teaching mathematics in grades K-5. The course is an in-depth exploration of the number system and focuses on enhancing understanding of the concepts and techniques related to numbers, numeration, numerical operations, and algebraic thinking topics which are appropriate for grades K-5 based on CCGPS. Collaboration, critical thinking, hands-on explorations using manipulatives, problem-based inquiry, technological tools, and a variety of print and electronic resources will be used.

Prerequisite: Admission to K-5 endorsement program.

This is the second mathematics course required to receive the mathematics endorsement. This course is designed for individuals teaching mathematics in grades K-5, who have completed ED 679. The course focuses on strengthening and enhancing educator content competency in the areas of geometry and measurement topics appropriate for grades K-5 based on GPS. A variety of physical and visual materials for exploration and development of geometric concepts and spatial visualization, measurement concepts and procedures will be used. Collaboration, critical thinking, problem-based inquiry, technological tools, and a variety of print and electronic resources will also be used.

Prerequisite(s): ED 679

This is the third and final mathematics course to receive the mathematics endorsement. This course is designed for individuals teaching mathematics in grades K-5, who have completed ED 681. The course focuses on enhancing educator competency in the areas of data collection, data representation, data analysis and probability topics which are appropriate for grades K-5 based on GPS. Collaboration, critical thinking, problem-based inquiry, technological tools, and a variety of print and electronic resources will also be used. Students will also complete a portfolio for this class.

Prerequisite(s): ED 681

Reading Endorsement (Choose one)

Credits

Since reading is the basis of and the vehicle for all curricular areas, it is critical that teachers be especially skilled in reading instruction as it relates to individual disciplines. This course enhances the teachers skills that deal with the nature of instruction in content areas and factors inherent in reading to learn. The course is designed to explore the problems of developing critical reading ability in a variety of curricular fields. The primary focus is on building and reinforcing students concepts of reading as an active process.
Based on the assumption that effective reading teachers must understand both what to do during instruction as well as why it should be done, the course will address the most consistent research findings on the reading process, the role of the reading teacher, and on cognition and language as they emerge and contribute to the developmental process of reading.
This course recognizes the necessity of a reading teacher to possess a thorough understanding and competence in classroom diagnostic principles and practices for improving learner reading ability. The course attempts to provide experiences, both theoretical and practical in nature, that will enable the prospective or practicing classroom teacher, resource teacher, or reading specialist to gain competence with: (1) the skills of reading, reading assessment tools, and techniques for diagnosing reading strengths and weaknesses of an individual; (2) the procedures for developing individual needs; and (3) specific remediation techniques for correcting varying degrees of reading disability.

Science Endorsement (Choose one)

Credits

A comprehensive examination of the basic physical, earth and space, and life science principles and concepts taught in the P-5 school curricula. Emphasis of this course is the establishment of manful content in science curriculum. The Georgia Performance Standards will be studied and applied for that purpose. This course recognizes the necessity of the Elementary Education teacher to possess knowledge of the basic factual and conceptual content that is to be taught in the science areas emphasized within a given curriculum. As both the world of science (and the encompassing wealth of information) and the demands for classroom ‘achievement’ are in continual change, it is impossible to address all science concepts, in detail, in one semester. The course will gear toward a rapid and intensive overview of important concepts.
Methods of teaching science concepts, process skills and scientific attitudes are developed through direct experiences. An examination of the variety of methods, available resources and materials that are utilized for the teaching of science in the elementary education classroom are examined. Particular emphasis is placed on the constructivist approach to instruction, as well as interdisciplinary curricular development.

This three credit course is part of the K-5 Elementary Science Endorsement. The science specialist must be able to plan, implement, and deliver science content based on best practices. Candidates will teach and assess a variety of lessons at each of the K-1, 2-3, and 4-5 grade levels. Candidates must be placed in diverse elementary settings.

Prerequisite(s): ED 646, ED 647

Clinical

Credits

The purpose of this course is to provide candidates enrolled in the advanced education programs the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to plan, deliver and assess a standards-based instructional sequence that facilitates learning in a clinical setting.

Capstone

Credits

The Capstone Experience will allow students to identify, analyze, and synthesize selected areas of educational topics. The outcome of this course is an oral and written exhibition demonstrating a synthesis and application of the overall educational attainment within the program.

Note(s): M.Ed. Middle Grades and Special Education students will nee College of Education permission to take this course; students cannot register themselves. The chair of advanced education programs will register students for the comprehensive exam once they have been cleared to take the exam by his/her adviser. This course is taught pass/fail.

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