Online Education Courses

In this course, students will explore theories regarding innovation and the challenges associated with innovating in an educational culture. Students will examine aspects of an innovator’s mindset, as well as behaviors and practices conducive to the effecting and sustaining of innovations.

This course is designed to enable the educator to analyze/diagnose, prescribe, and evaluate ways to improve teacher and learner behavior. Various methods of analyzing teacher behavior are studied and applied. Emphasis is also given to developing the ability to analyze and prescribe programs for individual learners.

This course is designed to provide an overview of education from historical, philosophical, and sociological perspectives. Students will expand on their understanding of contemporary education through an investigation of the changing role of educators in current social, political, and economic times using current peer reviewed articles and other open educational resources (OER).

EDU 51110 is an advanced course in educational psychology. The purpose of the course is to promote a depth of understanding about the topics central to the study of educational psychology including development, learning, individual differences, motivation, and assessment. The course also aims to further critical professional competencies including critical reading, academic writing, and online presentation skills through readings, written assignments, online group discussions and online class presentations.

This course is designed to engage practitioners in the collection, evaluation, and interpretation of educational research for use in a variety of educational practices. The student will investigate the basis of educational research, along with pertinent methods of data collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative research results. Emphasis will be placed on research problems, designs, and findings in the student’s selected area of concentration. Students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to narrow a research topic, complete accepted scholarly search strategies, identify and synthesize research articles, and correctly format a literature review using established APA guidelines.

Consult with your advisor if you would like to focus your elective 18 credit hours to a Graduate Certificate pairing it with the Master of Arts in Education.

This course will enable the Instructional Specialist K-12 Literacy candidate to discuss how to assist literacy specialists, parents and general education classroom teachers problem solve difficulties that arise in the teaching of literary. Topics will include, but not be limited to, establishing collaborative models, defining of roles, and integrating the cognitive coaching model into professional development programs. The candidate will apply principals of cognitive coaching in guiding faculty to become reflective teachers of literacy, supporting collaborative ways for literacy teachers to examine their current practices against latest best practices in literacy, and encouraging staff to be more risk taking in integrating new evidenced-based strategies in teaching literacy. To be taken concurrently with EDARL 67400 Literacy Leadership: Influencing and Facilitating Program Improvement.

Students will research the characteristics of the struggling readers with special attention for Dyslexia. The course will emphasize manifestations, warning signs, and symptoms in the classroom setting as well as the selection of appropriate strategies, methods, and materials for increasing success in reading for all students. Observation hours are required for this class. Students will be assisted in locating a setting where students with Dyslexia are receiving services. Students will be expected to devise personalized learning experiences for struggling readers. Upon completion, students will be able to effectively work with readers, their families and school districts to ensure that appropriate accommodations will be put in place.

Students will research formal and informal methods of formative and summative assessment, progress monitoring and the evaluation of data to inform the selection of appropriate strategies, methods and resources for the struggling readers. Upon completion students will be able to apply an understanding of assessment data to teacher-decisions in literacy instruction.

This course will include a book study and discussion of phonemic and structured literacy (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and metacognition) appropriate for struggling readers as well as an exploration of the available assistive technology and tools designed to help meet the needs of struggling readers.

This course will enable the Reading Specialist K-12 candidate to research in depth, the historical and current research philosophy and definition of literacy. This course will lead the candidate to evaluate the connection of language acquisition, reading/writing (print and non-print). Topics will include, but are not limited to, brain-research and literacy, multi-model literacy, structured and balanced literacy interventions, culture, diversity, and gender issues impacting literacy as well as meeting the needs of students with Dyslexia. Learners will be able to apply in-depth knowledge of the area of literacy to meet the needs of all learners.

This course is approved for one of four required methods courses for the Special Reading Certificate. Personal goals and objectives for a reading inquiry will be determined by the student and professor.

This course will enable participants to develop an understanding of educational technology and how it can be used to create authentic learning, engage learners and increase rigor in their curriculum. Participants will review and discuss literature and research conclusions about educational technology theory and develop a repertoire of effective techniques and strategies that have reliable evidence of substantial success in instructional settings. Topics such as technology standards, pedagogy, learning strategies, creating a community of learners, assessment of technology products, questioning techniques, and classroom management strategies will be examined.

This course is designed to enhance and extend the technology skills of practicing individuals, apply those skills in innovative ways, and create an environment that supports collaborative, project-based learning. Participants will study basic and advanced features of software (operating system, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, Internet, concept mapping) and hardware (interactive white boards, projectors, wireless technology, projectors, cameras) and integrating technology.

This course will enable participants to develop advanced computer skills and apply them in the classroom. Participants will use digital tools to create and manipulate video, audio, the web, text, or animated multimedia.

This course will introduce students to contemporary educational technology issues in local, state, national, and international education contexts. The course is designed to evaluate contemporary issues in educational technology at the elementary, secondary, administrative and business levels. This course provides an opportunity for students to re-evaluate their conceptualizations and beliefs regarding those contemporary issues identified for discussion. Students will review and discuss literature related to topics such as information literacy, ethics, learn/work skills-set, gaming, interactive web applications, leadership, teacher leadership, past and current legislation, professional development, standards-based education, decision-making, copyright.

In this course, students will master the essential elements of design for e-learning environments. They will examine current learning theories and research-based principles of online learning. They will select appropriate technologies to achieve learning goals while also analyzing different approaches to course structure and ways to organize distance learning units. They will construct a comprehensive online course outline and schedule that is effective for a wide range of learners, and investigate methods to evaluate course quality through established rubrics and assessment criteria.

In this course, students will become proficient in various tools and strategies used to engage and assess K-12 students in e-Learning. They will learn how to use the features of multiple video-conferencing platforms to effectively promote whole-class, small-group, individual interactions, and communicating with parents and families. They will learn how to identify and skillfully manage instructional resources to foster learning, and they will learn effective techniques of authentic assessment in a virtual environment.

Organization development (OD) is the process of planning and implementing interventions to create interpersonal, group, intergroup, or organization-wide change. This course presents the theoretical foundations of organization development as an applied behavioral science. Students will also be introduced to many types of interpersonal, intra-group, intergroup, and organizational interventions that are used to effect comprehensive and lasting changes. Lab fee may be required.

This course is designed to develop an understanding of the function and context of the leadership role in formal organizations through the examination of leadership research and theories of leadership effectiveness. The basis for exercising influence and the situational factors affecting leadership are examined. Emphasis will be on understanding the leadership function as well as developing thinking and action capabilities for improving individual leadership effectiveness. The culminating project will require students to document their own leadership style. Lab fee may be required.

The course focuses on the development and implementation of corporate strategies that enable an organization to create and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage. Current strategic theories are integrated with strategic practice. Additionally, readings in corporate governance focus on how the corporation should be managed in the best interests of the investors and other stakeholders. Lab fee may be required.

This course is an overview of human resource management and will include exploration of such topics as staffing, training and development, performance management, compensation, labor relations, and employment law, with a primary focus on strategic execution, which integrates HR programs and policies within the framework of an organization’s strategic direction. Lab fee may be required.

This course introduces students to methods of employee training and to the role that employee training plays in organizational planning. Particular emphasis will be given to needs analysis, program design and delivery, training methods, learning theory, learning styles, and evaluation and testing. Lab fee may be required.

This course will help students understand organizational communication theories, models, and processes. Focus will be on application of these principles in organizational communication speaking exercises; and the use of effective communication skills in management and leadership settings. Lab fee may be required.

This course is an analysis of primary factors affecting individual and group behavior in organizations and examines the structure and behavior within organizations that impact performance, morale, and profitability. Lab fee may be required.

This course focuses on the contribution of small groups and teams to organizational functioning. Students examine how group and team membership, role dynamics, work habits, and decision-making behavior affect the overall effectiveness of organizations. Lab fee may be required.

This is a culminating experience-based course which emphasizes the student’s ability to utilize learned material in real-life application. The student will be required to implement knowledge gained throughout the program to an organization. This application will potentially enhance the student’s leadership by providing specific feedback and opportunities for thoughtful reflection. Lab fee may be required.

This course is the study of terminology, principles of contract law, and ethical issues applicable to the contractive problems in the operations of a business, including relevant provisions of the uniform commercial code. Particular emphasis will be given to application of the principles of law by the entrepreneur/manager in operating the business, legal liability, and the legal aspects of a business in difficulty. Lab fee may be required.