An educational foundations and policy studies approach to the field of education. Course topics will include but will not be limited to the history of U.S. education from the 1500’s until today, history of the philosophies of education from Plato to the current testing philosophy, multi-culturalism/diversity, historical record of educational reform movements from the 1500’s until today. Other material covered within the course includes social issues such as socioeconomic status (SES), race, gender, and culture affecting educational achievement, teacher certification process, professional organizations (such as unions) and their purpose, differentiated teaching methods from a diversity perspective, classroom management, and historical changes of school financing from the 1500’s to today. Students will be introduced to lesson planning, instructional techniques, and classroom instruction through their co-requisite EDU-202 section. They will incorporate integrated essays into their e-portfolio, a program requirement.
EDU-201 is to be taken concurrently with the corresponding section of EDU-202, which involves placement in a classroom setting at the grade level/special education area of interest at which the student wishes to teach. Course assignments are coordinated with EDU-202.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
To increase student knowledge of the learning environment from a systemic perspective through an experiential approach to learning. Students will apply their knowledge of educational concepts, laws, and practices to the field of education.
This course addresses the Michigan Department of Education core teaching practices and teacher standards.
Core Teaching Practices
Lower Elementary PK-3 Education Preparation Standards
Upper Elementary 3-6 Education Preparation Standards
Professional Standards 5-12
Special Education Preparation Standards
- The development of teaching skills and their relationship to research
- Compare and contrast the different historical philosophies of education as well as create their own.
- Explain how socioeconomic, social, and emotional issues impact student learning.
- Integrate social, cultural , and community factors into the reciprocal learning process.
- Becoming a teacher and professional organizations
- Explain different school laws and the ethics of teaching related to those laws.
- Explain the importance as well as the different roles of educational professional organizations.
- Different learning styles and approaches
- Compare and contrast the different philosophies of education as well as create their own.
- Compare and contrast the different theoretical models on multicultural education.
- Analyze different learning styles and methodological approaches from diverse perspectives.
- Explain how socioeconomic, social, and emotional issues impact student learning.
- Integrate social, cultural , and community factors into the reciprocal learning process.
- Effective teaching methods incorporating culturally responsive pedagogy and community driven place based instruction
- Compare and contrast the different historical philosophies of education as well as create their own.
- Compare and contrast the different theoretical models on multicultural education.
- Explain how socioeconomic, social, and emotional issues impact student learning.
- Integrate social, cultural , and community factors into the reciprocal learning process.
- Analyze past and current political and social controversial issues pertaining to education.
- Family, community, social and emotional issues facing schools
- Compare and contrast the different theoretical models on multicultural education.
- Analyze different learning styles and methodological approaches from diverse perspectives.
- Explain how socioeconomic, social, and emotional issues impact student learning.
- Integrate social, cultural , and community factors into the reciprocal learning process.
- The history of the educational system
- Explain the history of the American education system as well as its origins from other cultures.
- Compare and contrast the different historical educational reform movements within the U.S. school system.
- Compare and contrast different curricula, content, and standards driving education from a historical perspective.
- Analyze past and current political and social controversial issues pertaining to education.
- Philosophy of education
- Compare and contrast the different philosophies of education as well as create their own.
- Compare and contrast the different theoretical models on multicultural education.
- Explain how socioeconomic, social, and emotional issues impact student learning.
- Integrate social, cultural , and community factors into the reciprocal learning process.
- Applying the State standardized testing information on the Michigan Department of Education website to the students educational journey.
- School financing and the governing bodies influencing budgetary concerns
- Explain different school laws and the ethics of teaching related to those laws.
- Compare and contrast different curricula, content, and standards driving education.
- Explain the ways schools are financed and the governing bodies influencing budgetary decisions.
- School laws and the ethics of teaching
- Compare and contrast the different historical educational reform movements within the U.S. school system.
- Explain different school laws and the ethics of teaching related to those laws.
- Explain the ways schools are financed and the governing bodies influencing budgetary decisions.
- Analyze past and current political and social controversial issues pertaining to education.
- The impact of school reform
- Compare and contrast the different historical educational reform movements within the U.S. school system.
- Compare and contrast different curricula, content, and standards driving education from a historical perspective.
- Explain the ways schools are financed and the governing bodies influencing budgetary decisions.
- Analyze past and current political and social controversial issues pertaining to education.
- The relationship between curriculum, standards and assessment
- Compare and contrast different curricula, content, and standards driving education.
- Analyze different learning styles and methodological approaches from diverse perspectives.
- Classroom management
- Compare and contrast the different historical educational reform movements within the U.S. school system.
- Compare and contrast the different theoretical models on multicultural education.
- Analyze different learning styles and methodological approaches from diverse perspectives.
- Explain the importance of an effective classroom management, including multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
- Direct lesson and constructivist approaches to teaching
- Compare and contrast the different philosophies of education as well as create their own.
- Analyze different learning styles and methodological approaches from diverse perspectives.
- Compare and contrast direct lesson approach to a constructivist teaching approach.
- State standardized testing and measurement
- Compare and contrast different curricula, content, and standards driving education.
- Compare and contrast the different theoretical models on multicultural education.
- Integrate social, cultural , and community factors into the reciprocal learning process.
- Applying the State standardized testing information on the Michigan Department of Education website to the students educational journey.
- Integrating technology into the classroom
- Analyze different learning styles and methodological approaches from diverse perspectives.
- Use technology for classroom presentations.
Assessment and Requirements
Course assessment may include but not be limited to:
- Small group activities
- Individual projects
- Presentations
- Critical thinking writing assignments
At least 15% of the assessment must be community-based. For example, attending a School Board meeting or/and a school-based project
At least 75% of the assessments must be reflective
It is recommended students take this course following EDU 256 and EDU 295/EDU 296.
Instructors will select a textbook from the approved departmental textbook list.