Education Foundations

EDU 1109  Introduction to Education & Reflective Teaching   4.0 cr

Gives prospective educators and school paraprofessionals perspective on the rewards and challenges of teaching, including critical issues facing teaching and learning in today's schools. Class lectures/discussions, course readings, guest speakers, and field experiences will focus on such topics as educational equity, the achievement gap, poverty, diversity, resiliency, cultural awareness, using the community as a resource, effective teaching, school improvement, the importance of engaging in reflective teaching, and opportunities to further explore personal motivations for becoming a teacher. Participants are introduced to education through case studies and first-hand accounts of teaching and learning in schools, including an exploration of the impact that larger social systems have on schools, teachers, and students and their families. In addition to attending the weekly 3-hour class lecture/discussion, students will complete a minimum of 30 Service Learning hours in a school setting. They will also use eFolio Minnesota to create a multimedia electronic portfolio to reflect upon their Service Learning experiences. This course will include completion of MTLE Basic Skills practice tests in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing, in preparation for Minnesota teacher licensure requirements. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard A2, 3, 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2C, Subp. 5, Standard 4B, Subp. 6, Standard 5A, 5F, Subp. 10, Standard 9A, Subp. 11, Standard 10A, B, F, L.

EDU 1110  Education: Early Childhood Birth To Grade 3   3.0 cr

Gives students a perspective on teaching at the early childhood through third-grade levels. In addition to attending the weekly 2-hour discussions, students will complete a minimum of 30 Service Learning hours in an early childhood program or elementary school setting. The lecture/discussion groups and guest speakers will focus on such issues as curriculum, Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress, classroom management, various cultures, parent-teacher communication, classroom issues, and technology in the classroom. Prerequisites: Recommended EDU 1109.

EDU 1128  Guidance, Communication and Development of Young Children   3.0 cr

Discusses developmental characteristics of infants, toddlers and preschool children with emphasis on stages of and individual differences in rates and styles of learning. Incorporates guidance principles and techniques in order for students to better understand the child's behavior and improve skills in working with a child in various situations.

EDU 1130  Early Childhood Education   3.0 cr

Provides an opportunity for students to explore the early childhood education field as caregivers of young children. Individuals will explore their role as a practitioner through self-exploration, classroom activities, and group activities.

EDU 1132  Creative Activities for the Young Child   2.0 cr

Presents the principles needed to plan creative experiences for infants, toddlers, and young children in all curriculum areas. Creative activities and experiences will be explored that enhance children's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development. Materials fee required.

EDU 1133  Children's Health, Nutrition, Phys Development, and the Effects of Drugs   3.0 cr

Focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to maintain a safe and healthy environment for young children. Appropriate activities and experiences for young children will be addressed around the topics of health, safety, nutrition, physical development, and the effects of drugs on children.

EDU 1136  Infant and Toddler Development   3.0 cr

Focuses on developing a knowledge base about infant and toddler development emphasizing identification and creation of the learning environment. 40 hours of service learning/field experience required. To complete the requirements of the course students will need to receive a criminal background clearance. Please refer to the Criminal Background section of the catalog for more information on the criminal background study.

EDU 1138  Introduction to Special Education   3.0 cr

Focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to create and maintain an integrated school learning environment for individuals with special needs. An introduction and exploration of disabilities commonly found in infants through school age children. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2D, Subp. 4, Standard 3B, I, O, Q, Subp. 11, Standard 10C 8710.5000, Subp. 2, Standard A1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, D1.

EDU 1141  Learning Technology for Educators   2.0 cr

Examines the historical and current contexts for applications of educational technology, including the research, resources, issues and trends shaping the role of educational technology in today's classrooms. Course readings, class discussions, guest speakers, and course assignments will focus on topics such as the foundations for effective technology integration, the National Educational Technology Standards, and the enhancement of teaching and learning through the successful integration of current and future educational technology across the curriculum. Students will investigate and critically evaluate selected software, multimedia/hypermedia, distance/online learning, and Internet/web-based applications as tools to actively and cognitively engage all learners. Students will use eFolio to develop a multimedia electronic portfolio to document and reflect upon their technology competence. This course meets requirements for Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Prerequisites: Recommended concurrent or previous enrollment in EDU 1109.

EDU 1143  Multicultural Education / Human Relations   3.0 cr

Emphasizes the development of classroom teachers who are multiculturally informed, gender fair, and disability aware. Examines issues such as racism, sexism, oppression, prejudice and discrimination. The course aims to increase students' capacity to identify, discuss, and reflect on the ethical dimensions of political, social and personal life and to examine the responsibility of classroom teachers to practice productive citizenship. Emphasis is on demonstrating multicultural competence required of all successful teachers working with diverse youth. Designed to meet State of Minnesota human relations requirement for teacher licensure. This course meets the Minnesota Processional Educator Licensing and Standards board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 5, Standard 4B, Subp. 6, Standard 5A, Subp. 4, Standard 3D, E, F, G, H, J, Q, Subp. 6, Standard 5B, Subp. 7, Standard 6B, Subp. 3, Standard 2A, 2B, 2C.

EDU 2008  Introduction to Infant/Child Mental Health   2.0 cr

Provides an introduction to mental health support and intervention for infants, children, and parents. Class sessions explore features of child mental health and mental health care, from prevalence to causes to effective treatments. Students will have opportunities to examine ways that children's overall development is affected by early relationships and social and emotional influences, including but not limited to attachment, temperament, and toxic stress. Includes a comprehensive review of parenting and community resources to provide knowledge of best practices for those interested in working with infants, young children, and their families.

EDU 2018  Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners   3.0 cr

Examines research-based instructional strategies for successfully meeting the varying needs of students from economically, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse groups. Course content will focus on how students will learn and develop including learning opportunities that support student intellectual, social, and personal development. This course will also explore individual and group motivation to create learning environments that create positive social interactive active engagement in learning. Learning opportunities will be explored that support student intellectual, social and personal development. This course is designed for prospective educators, teachers, and school paraprofessionals interested in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2A, B, C Subp.6, Standard 5A.

EDU 2020  Foundations of Early Literacy   3.0 cr

Focuses on theories and strategies related to literacy in PreK-3 classroom and home settings. Class sessions feature instructional methods to promote early literacy skill development and provide opportunities to learn about concepts of print, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Includes a review of developmental assessment and evaluation practices. Intended for prospective early childhood or primary teachers, school paraprofessionals, and other educators working with emergent readers.

EDU 2220  Music Education and Pedagogy   3.0 cr

Focuses on the knowledge and skills needed for anyone to experience, understand, produce, discuss and enjoy various forms of music with young children. Examines the characteristics of age-appropriate music activities, how music can integrate with other disciplines, and how to teach music to others. Incorporates music concepts, basic structural elements, principles and vocabulary of music, and current pedagogical practices. The course assumes no musical background and is an introductory course for prospective elementary educators, classroom paraprofessionals or teachers, and other students interested in learning how music pedagogy works. Credit can only be earned in one department. To fulfill goal 6 enroll in MUSC 2220.

EDU 2250  Contemporary Education Topics   cr

Special topics in Urban Education will be presented on a rotating basis. Coursework explores issues and challenges currently facing education in the United States. Topics may relate to special education, diversity, gifted and talented programming, English language learners, education funding, legal issues, classroom initiatives, state and local leadership, and others as pertinent to current/future educational trends. This course may be repeated under different topics.

EDU 2805  Introduction to Children's Literature   3.0 cr

Introduces students to the study and evaluation of literature (picture books, folktales, fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, young adult fiction, and nonfiction) written for children of all ages. Intended for students interested in a teaching career or in working with children, but is open to all interested students. Access to public libraries is required.