This class provides an examination and exploration of pedagogically sound online and/or hybrid teaching practices. It includes a review of technology tools to support online and hybrid teaching, Web-conferencing, learning management systems, video development, and online content creation. You will learn to manage your online and/or hybrid classes through content creation and organization.
This non-credit option provides the same content and experiences as our for-credit course for a lower cost. While you do not earn university credit with this option, it could still qualify for up to 90 recertification points (please check with your school system prior to enrolling).
Instructor: Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
Format: 8 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 90
PEDU 506: Contemporary Social Issues in American Education This course provides foundation to the scope and nature of education in American society as reflected in the historical, philosophical, and sociological forces affecting the development and organization of schooling. Emphasis is given to contemporary cultural issues impacting teaching and learning in a diverse society. 3 credits.
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PSPE 515: Survey of Exceptional Students An introduction to all disabilities in special education. Characteristics and needs of students with disabilities, legislation, litigation, inclusion, and the role of the classroom teacher as a member of the IEP team. 3 credits.
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PREA 595-P01: Culture, Assessment, and Professionalism 1 credit.
Topics include:
- Understanding Culture
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Roles of the ESL Teacher
- Professional Development
- Knowledge of ESL Assessment Tools
- ESL Standards
- Use of ESL Assessments
- Interpretation and Application of Assessment Data
Discrimination has long been an issue in American politics and society. While America has come a long way in its views of those that are different, movements such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo show that we still have a long way to go. Participants in this course will use case law to explore the Constitutional history of the 14th Amendment as it applies to various groups of American citizens. This course will focus on cases focusing on African-Americans, Women, Ethnic and Religious Minorities (Hispanic, Asian and American Indian; as well as Mormons, Santerias, Jews and American Indians), and Sexual Minorities (gays, lesbians, and transgendered).
Instructor: Dr. Mary Carver
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Teaching writing can be a challenging, time-consuming, and draining process but it does not have to be — and you do not need to teach alone! Writers learn what they need to know about writing from reading and examining how authors use words and structures to effectively convey meaning. You and your students are surrounded by hundreds of authors in your classrooms and libraries. In this class we will discuss what it means to read like a writer, examine numerous examples of writer’s craft through focused, children’s book text sets, and develop learning experiences that will help both teacher and student separate what a books is about from how it is written. Learning how to write by studying the work of excellent writers is fun, engaging, and extremely effective. When that happens, so does amazing growth and progress in writing.
Instructor: Dr. Jeannine Perry
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Learners in this class will develop an understanding of and implementation of creative uses of Google Apps, Forms and Sheets. Learners will explore how to use these applications to foster collaboration, communication and to enhance engagement. Learners will gain experience, insight, and create learning materials that can be integrated into their classroom immediately.
Instructor: Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
PREA 595-P02: Development and Delivery of Instruction 1 credit.
Topics include:
- Instructional Theory
- Teaching Techniques
- Selection of Appropriate Instructional Materials
- Managing the ESL Classroom
This course is all about new books for elementary students. We’re going to be looking at picture books, informational books, and chapter books appropriate for PreK-5th grade. During the four weeks, we’ll look at trends in children’s literature, ways to share children’s literature, diversity in children’s literature, and how to keep up with children’s literature. Together we will build a database of books that will give you a whole list of options for the next school year.
Instructor: Carl Harvey
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Are you blending or flipping your classroom? Are your students blending and flipping? In this interactive workshop, you will learn about different models of blended and flipped teaching and how to lead meaningful discussions within the online world. After this course you will be ready to use the online activities that you create to complement your face-to-face learning.
Instructor: Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
PEDU 543: Curriculum Development in the Middle & Secondary School A study of principles and current patterns of curriculum development at the middle and secondary levels. 3 credits.
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Examination of classroom and behavior management techniques and the development of skills necessary to foster a supportive classroom learning environment congruent with norms and rules. Includes an examination of system problems and solutions within traditional and alternative education settings. Includes a variety of behavioral, cognitive and theoretical approaches that are developmentally appropriate. Designed for practicing regular education teachers or for licensure in PreK-12 classrooms. 3 credits.
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Using actual classroom scenarios, collaboration between Instructional Coaches, Teachers, Counselors and Administration to problem solve the growing task of managing a classroom. Learning from each other, we can address common and unique classroom scenarios to problem solve situations.
Instructor: Cindy Odum Harris, M.S., Instructional Coach
Format: 4 week class, 100% online, helpful to all K-12 educators.
Suggested recertification points: 30
The course will be open to participants for five business days (March 15-19), and there will be two required synchronous zoom sessions (each a two-hour duration) during that week for review and discussion.
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To truly understand what students have learned on any given topic, Performance Based Assessment will demonstrate such. Include the 5 “C’s” in 21st century learning in your classroom through Performance Based Assessment: Communication, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Community and Creativity!
Instructor: Cindy Odum Harris, M.S., Instructional Coach
Format: 4 week class, 100% online, helpful to all K-12 educators.
Suggested recertification points: 30
PREA 595-P03: Linguistics 1 credit.
Topics include:
- Linguistic Theory
- Language and Culture
- Second Language Learning
- Literacy and Language Development
This course is all about informational books for elementary students (PreK-5th grade). During the four weeks, we’ll look at types of informational books, narrative nonfiction, and pairing nonfiction and fiction texts together, and ways of using nonfiction books. Together we will build a database of books that will give you a whole list of options for the next school year.
Instructor: Carl Harvey
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Have you ever said, or heard a colleague say, “My students can ‘read the words’ but they just don’t understand what they are reading”? This class offers an overview of the reading comprehension process, outlines primary comprehension strategies, and explores instructional techniques that can help students become proficient in using those strategies to understand and appreciate both narrative and expository texts.
Instructor: Dr. Jeannine Perry
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Learners in this class will enhance their understanding of and develop an implementation of creative uses of additional Google Apps in the classroom. Part 2 will go deeper into the use of Google apps learned in Part 1 as well as introduce the additional apps of Google Slides, Hangouts, Sites. Learners will develop products to be integrated in their classroom immediately as well as learn ways to keep or become more organized.
Prerequisite: Teaching with Google Apps Part 1
Instructor: Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Through this course you will explore some great Children’s Literature while applying the content to your Social Studies curriculum to increase a love of learning, language, and social studies content.
Instructor: Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Teachers will learn to use technology tools to bring history to life through primary and secondary sources, audio, video and digital images.
Instructor: Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
Learners will visit a state park of their choice and explore the significance and history of the area. The learner will research when and why the park was added into the State Park System. The learner will also learn about the wildlife and plant life, through their exploration, and why the state park they selected is important to the conservation of natural resources and integrate this newfound knowledge into their classroom through the development of a unit plan.
Instructor: Dr. Julie Mersiowsky
Format: 4 week class, 100% online
Suggested recertification points: 30
This course will give the student a basic understanding and appreciation of technical theatre as it relates to middle and high school level productions. It will provide a knowledge of: drafting and building scenery, model making, scene painting and the safe and proper way to handle scene shop equipment. 3 credits.
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With the successful completion of this online course and its requirements your school division may allow you to apply up to 45 recertification points. Sessions focus on the Holocaust’s historical background and pedagogy which link to the Virginia Standards of Learning requirements. You will hear historian-led lectures and learn about practices and resources that you can use in the classroom when teaching the Holocaust. Educators will have opportunities to explore and interact with Museum resources. This course is recommended for middle and high school educators.
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