Texas Wesleyan University

Assists students in becoming effective consumers of research in the field of education. Students are asked to critically reflect on educational literature and communicate their analysis in a scholarly manner.

Both historical and contemporary philosophy and theory are explored in this course. The student will examine these philosophies in classical literature as well as relationships to current reform efforts. Critical and reflective thinking, problem solving, and scholarly inquiry will characterize the student's participation.

Concepts and issues relating to human growth, development, and learning are given comprehensive coverage. Principles and practices relating to research in education and its application, assessment and testing, multicultural perspectives, social trends, and parental expectations are emphasized.

Topics such as the role of technology in contemporary education; school law and political influences in education; trends in school management; professional codes of ethics in education and other timely and relevant topics are addressed with emphasis on current professional literature, professionalism, and the role of the classroom teacher.

This course, which is open to teachers at every level and setting, is designed to explore the inner landscape of a teacher's life through individual reflection and group dialogue, rather than through technique. Although teachers are often segregated and ranked by what or where they teach, the underlying dynamic of the inner teacher cuts across differences and gives commonality to struggles and joys. Participants will raise questions, examine ideas, and explore images and metaphors that suggest teaching practices and may lead to a rich array of insights about "formation," which is understood as reclaiming the reality and power of the one’s life as teacher. May be offered in seminar or retreat settings.

Students in this course will meet individually or in small groups with the professors in order to actively inquire into educational issues through primarily the wriiten medium. A multidisciplinary approach to both scholarly process and product will be the focus.

Students enrolled in this course will meet individually or in small groups with the professors in order to actively inquire into educational issues through the written medium. Students will write and attempt to publish a scholarly paper. A multidisciplinary approach to both scholarly process and product will be the focus.

Designed to prepare students for the role and responsibility of Principal in EC-12th grade schools. The course explores the characteristics f effective leadership with specific focus on the role of instructional leader at the campus level. Students will develop understandings of characteristics of leaders; campus-level leadership and accountability; motivation theory; understanding interrelationships among administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community groups; improvement of instruction; learning theory, change process; school climate and culture.

Students wil understand constitutional, statutory, administrative and case law as it pertains to everyday operation of schools; legal frameworks within a school settting; and legal issues facing campus school leaders.

This course is designed to prepare students for the role of instructional leader. The EC-12th grade curriculum TEKS and TAKS objectives will be examined as well as the principal’s role in regards to state standardized testing public accountability ratings. Best instructional practice at all levels will be discussed and internalized.

This course is designed to prepare students for the supervisory roles of principal in a school setting. The state mandated DILT certification (teacher appraisal instrument) training will occur during this course. Students will understand effective professional development and clinical supervision. This course requires 30 additional clock hours.

Examines the history of first and second language teaching to assess the effectiveness of such methodologies. Competency will be established in defining and applying terminology and basic concepts regarding the language development of LEP students. In addition, it examines more contemporary second language teaching approaches as they relate to the development of curriculum, lesson plan preparation, and the language assessment of LEP students. The role and application of computer-assisted instruction in the language development of LEP students will be emphasized.

Online introductory course. Coursework introduces what it means to be gifted and how to differentiate instruction to effectively teach gifted students.  This course includes practical, hands-on strategies for immediate use in the classroom. (Online, Fall)

Coursework includes appropriate assessment tools and practice in identifying gifted learners, as well as measurement tools. (Online, Spring)

This course is designed to examine the social and emotional characteristics that are unique to gifted individuals. There will be an emphasis on various counseling strategies and theories of emotional development to help in guiding gifted individuals. (Spring)

Coursework is designed for teachers in mixed-ability classrooms and will focus on the how-to’s of differentiation and the principles and practices that support effective teaching. Practical methods for setting up and managing a differentiated classroom that integrates gifted learners into the school environment will be explored. (Online, Summer I and II)

This course involves the designing and implementing of curriculum for gifted learners. It will emphasize key areas of focus including the differentiation of content, process, product, and concept. There will also be a focus on the implementation of curriculum with gifted students. (Summer
II)

Through seminars and practical applications, students will examine the phonological, morphological, syntactical, and semantic aspects of language.  Course may involve international study and/or study of linguistically and culturally diverse populations in the United States. 

Provides an over-view of the intercultural and multi-cultural issues particular to an increasingly racially diverse population.  Implications concerning curriculum design, teaching strategies, and student/teacher interactions will be considered in this course. 

Capstone course that synthesizes ESL/EFL understandings.  The course will result in the development of a project consisting of both design of an instructional learning system and a demonstration or summary report of actual teaching situations.  The capstone project will serve as the final evaluative process for demonstrating one's proficiency in teaching ESL/EFL learners and the issuance of the TESOL certificate.  Texas certified teachers may also opt for the Texas ESL certificate examination.  TExES barcode will be given upon successful completion of this course. 

Students gain understanding of various theories regarding the process of first and second language acquisition and development. In addition, students become familiar with teaching and learning strategies that enhance the acquisition and development of languages.

Prerequisite: Approval of academic advisor and the Graduate Advisory Committee
A scholarly document reporting an investigation or successful teaching project in an apprenticeship relationship with a committee of graduate faculty.

A comprehensive overview of legal issues of importance to the classroom teacher or administrator. Course contents include teachers’ rights and responsibilities and students’ rights and responsibilities. Course materials are updated annually to reflect changes in educational law

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Dean of the School of Education

This course requires 150 clock hours of internship in a public school setting. Students will perform administration duties at a chosen school and participate in practical experiences as an administrator. Induction into the supervisory principal role is expected by the school officials and facilitated through seminars during the internship year. The internship requirement may continue through several semesters

A study of numerous literary works suitable for classroom use with young adults. 000 Recommended for students being certified in secondary education and required for those seeking a reading specialization. 111 This course includes fundamental pedagogical methods for future teachers.

Provides elementary and middle school teachers with fundamentals for use
of mathematical thinking in day-to-day situations. 222 Includes fundamental analysis techniques and modeling in teaching applications of mathematics.

Emphasizes inquiry-based, process-oriented, cooperative learning strategies in the area of mathematics. 333 Methods will reinforce teaching of the discovery method and will encourage development of activities specifically designed for the elementary and middle school classroom. 444 Professional lesson plan that includes a discovery activity is required.

This course is specifically designed for the middle-school mathematics teacher and emphasizes inquiry-based, process-oriented, both independent and collaborative strategies in the area of middle-school mathematics. 555 Activating mathematical understanding, skills, and language will be stressed. 666 Methods will reinforce teaching mathematics utility and will encourage development of activities specifically designed for the middle-school classroom. Development of a professional lesson plan that includes “doing mathematics” in many contexts is required.

This course is based on state standards. Specifically designed for the middleschool mathematics teacher, inquiry-based, process-oriented, independent and collaborative learning strategies in the area of middle-school mathematics are emphasized. Methods will reinforce teaching the utility of mathematics and will encourage development of activities specifically designed for the middle-school classroom. Development of a professional lesson plan that includes a complex investigation activity which involves “doing mathematics” is required. Both a textbook and a graphing calculator are required.

Fundamental analysis and modeling techniques applied to nonlinear functions in teaching applications of mathematics. Provides high school teachers with fundamental knowledge and skills to apply mathematical thinking in teaching quadratic and other nonlinear functions.

Emphasizes inquiry-based process-oriented, cooperative learning, and other teaching strategies. 777 Methods reinforce teaching quadratic and nonlinear functions in Algebra I. 888 Provides high school teachers with fundamental knowledge and skills to apply mathematical thinking in teaching quadratic and other nonlinear functions in Algebra I and encourages development and use of activities specifically designed for the Algebra I classroom. 999 Media presentation is required of each participant.

Prerequisite: NSC 1303 and 1304 or consent of instructor.
Provides elementary and middle school teachers with the fundamentals of chemistry and physics. A laboratory-based course.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Designed for High School and Middle School science teachers to incorporate contemporary issues in Biology for teaching the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills focusing on unique aspects of human biology including human sexuality, stem cells, the human genome, genetic disorders and gene therapy, eating disorders, addiction and eating disorders, among others.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Designed for High School and Middle School science teachers to incorporate contemporary issues in Biology for teaching the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills focusing on antibiotic resistance, parasites, HIV, the immune system, human agriculture and transgenic organisms, pollution, exotic species, acid rain, water treatment, as well as global warming.

Prequisite: In service teacher.
Review of basic life science concepts including the cell theory, energetics and metabolism, ecology of communities and ecosystems. Teachers translate these basic life science concepts into grae-level appropriate curricular materials.

Prequisite: In service teacher.
Review of basic life science concepts including water and water relations, Earth science including plate tectonics, weather patterns, biomes and geologic history, and Mendelian genetics and adaptation. Teachers translate these basic life and earth science concepts into grade-level appropriate curricular materials.

Prerequisite: NSC 6301 and NSC 6302.
Designed for high school and middle school science teachers to incorporate contemporary issues in Biology for teaching the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills focusing on molecular biology, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the evolution and ecology of the Monarch Butterfly. Genetic material from the Monarch Butterfly field samples in North Texas and Chiapas, Mexico will be analyzed. Field studies materials such as photographs and video tapes will also be incorporated into a series of presentations at grade appropriate levels.

Prerequisite: In-service teacher.
Review of the nature of science and peer review, measurement and data analysis, the cell cycle and cancer, and inheritance and genetic disorders. 000 Teachers develop these basic concepts into grade-level appropriate curricular materials.

Prerequisite: In-service teacher.
Examination of human physiology and associated disorders, ecology and evolution. Teachers develop these basic concepts into grade-level appropriate curricular materials.

Prerequisite: In-service teacher.
Course focuses on experiments and experimental design to document ecological concepts. Conducing experimental protocols in ecology aimed at
high school and middle school students.

Prerequisite: In-service teacher.
Course focuses on delivering ecological principles through experimental design for middle and high School teachers.

Examines the mechanical basis for the physical sciences as it pertains to the area of mass, matter, and temperature. Emphasizes Newton’s laws and related concepts. Content-based course for elementary and middle school teachers.

Examines the electrical and magnetic behavior of matter. Emphasizes the concept of charge, electrostatics, the electron, movement of charge, electromagnetism, and other related concepts. Content-based course for elementary and middle school teachers.

Examines the atoms and molecules. 222 Emphasizes the atomic nature of matter, the interactions of atoms to form molecules, and the interactions between molecules, as they pertain to light and color. Content-based course for elementary and middle school teachers.

Application of Newton’s laws of motion in air, space, and water. The study of aerodynamic parameters by building planes, rockets, balloons, and kites. 444 This includes in-depth coverage of meteorology and astronomy as they pertain to flight and motion.

Emphasizes inquiry-based, process-oriented, cooperative learning strategies in the area of mechanics, as it pertains to the area of mass, matter, and temperature. Methods will reinforce teaching of the scientific method and will encourage development of activities specifically designed for the elementary and middle school classroom.

Emphasizes inquiry-based, process-oriented, cooperative learning strategies in the area of electricity and magnetism. Methods will reinforce teaching of the scientific method and will encourage development of activities specifically designed for the elementary and middle school classroom.

Emphasizes inquiry-based, process-oriented, cooperative learning strategies in the area of atoms and molecules, as it pertains to light and color. 555 Methods will reinforce teaching of the scientific method and will encourage development of activities specifically designed for the elementary and middle school classrooms.

Emphasizes inquiry-based, process-oriented, cooperative learning skills in the area of air, space, flight, and astronomy. Methods will reinforce teaching of the scientific method and encourage development of hands-on activities specifically designed for elementary and middle school teachers

Students examine the process of reading and writing development and make application to instruction.

Provides students with the opportunity to learn and use holistic measures for evaluation or reading and writing growth and/or problems. 666 Effective remedial programs for those with reading difficulties are developed.

An individual research project will be designed and conducted in reading. 777 A written report and oral presentation of the findings will be presented.

Assists the teacher, within a clinical setting, to diagnose the literacy abilities of a learner and to design, implement, and evaluate an appropriate instructional program.

Acquaints teachers, specialists, and administrators with instructional strategies and materials that may be used to develop and integrate literacy across the curriculum. 888 May include study abroad. 999

Familiarizes teachers with strategies for learning and literacy development in elementary content areas.

Familiarizes teachers with strategies for learning and literacy development in secondary content areas.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Dean of the School of Education