Summer 1

EDS 6938 - Supervision of Professional Laboratory Experiences

This is a required course for teachers who desire to supervise interns from approved teacher education programs. Emphasis is placed on the role and responsibilities of supervising teachers. Techniques of observation and communication, methods of documentation and strategies for co-teaching are highlighted in the course.

IDS 6939 - Curriculum Reform in Mathematics and Science

This course is intended for graduate students to construct the meaning of curriculum, to analyze curriculum perspectives, to explore the current reforms in K-12 science and mathematics education, and to examine personal theories of curriculum. It is based on the beliefs that curriculum is fundamentally important to our students, society, and the process of education and that curriculum development is a value-laden activity. Therefore the participants will examine the multidimensional aspects of curriculum that are experienced by students, teachers, parents, administrators, school boards, and the community.

SCE 6146 - Environmental Education

This course is designed to provide experiences and understandings that promote effective science and mathematics education in schools through the study of Florida's ecosystems and habitats. The goal is to develop an understanding of the relationships between human systems and natural systems. Learning activities will focus on the identification and utilization of ecological concepts and resources that are relevant for teachers in central Florida.

MAE 6641 - Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

Problem solving and critical thinking skills have become important outcomes for students in public schools. Additionally, the importance of problem solving has been highlighted by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics in their Standards document. In this curse teachers learn to become proficient problem solvers, become writers of problems appropriate for school children, and develop knowledge about when and how to integrate problem solving into the curriculum.

EDF 6481 - Fundamentals of Graduate Research in Education

This course involves the review and critique of research literature, use of library resources for educational research, and introduction to the concepts of research design and data analysis.

IDS 6934 - Using Technology in Mathematics and Science

This course emphasizes the learning and use of technology in the teaching of mathematics and science.

IDS 6937 - Reflecting on Instruction of Mathematics and Science

This course is designed to provide experiences and understandings that promote effective science and mathematics education in schools. The focus of the course is rooted in the work of Dewey and Piaget, who urged active, inquiring education, through which students construct meaning in successive phases and develop scientific habits of mind. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on the processes of inquiry teaching as well as on inquiry into the attitudes and practices that promote student-centered curricula oriented to the making of knowledge rather than the memorizing of facts.

IDS 6933 - Seminar in Teaching Mathematics and Science

The focus of this course is to learn about change from both a personal and institutional perspective. The goal is to synthesize the institutional knowledge and personal educational growth of each student to develop a holistic view of their continued participation, support, and commitment to self-renewing learning communities. (Paradigm Shifts: Mindset Minefields)

SCE 5825 - Space Science for Educators

This course is designed to provide students with experiences that promote effective science education in the elementary/middle schools. It will focus on principles of air and space flight with particular emphasis on rocketry. The course will be taught from a constructivist approach and will include topics such as rocket and aviation principles such as propulsion and thrust, communication, navigation, and remote sensing satellites, Newton's laws of motion and gravitational attraction, earth and space environments. The course will focus on how these topics of study can be translated into relevant and interesting lessons, which can be taught in the classroom. Students will construct a variety of model rockets, safely launch and recover the rockets, and compute the altitudes and average speed based on measurements taken during flight.

Elective