This course provides learners with opportunities to acquire and use graduate-level skills, including the ability to critically examine and apply relevant educational theory to professional practice. Learners develop expertise in scholarly writing as well as explore the importance of multicultural perspectives and diversity in professional contexts. Finally, learners articulate and examine their professional purpose and its alignment with their specialization and career aspirations. Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MEd in Teaching and Learning, MS in Education, MS in Education Innovation and Technology, and MS in Higher Education degree programs and the Adult Education and Higher Education Leadership and Administration graduate certificate programs. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.

In this course, learners demonstrate key skills required to lead change in K-12 schools and to implement innovative instructional techniques that enhance learning for all students Learners examine innovative instructional practices that incorporate technology and media, develop ways to use these practices to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners and learners with a wide range of learning needs, and apply strategies for collaborating with colleagues to integrate state-of-the-art practices into daily classroom instruction.

Learners cultivate an understanding of how to appropriately collect and analyze student data and apply technology to enhance the assessment and evaluation experience. Learners use technology tools to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data as a means to identify instructional strengths and problems, implement best practice strategies and solutions, and interpret student learning data. Learners also evaluate a variety of assessments and digital tools in order to best promote learning in a diverse classroom. Finally, using these digital tools, learners apply methods for communicating information to key stakeholders, while adhering to ethical standards regarding student data and being mindful of cultural contexts. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

Learners assess the values, commitments, beliefs, and behaviors that teachers must demonstrate inside and outside of the school setting to promote innovation in K-12 settings and foster safe and ethical online behavior of students. Learners analyze rights and responsibilities required in digital interactions with others, and how to model these behaviors for their students. Finally, learners demonstrate dispositions consistent with promoting innovative practice in K-12 schools. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

In this course, learners evaluate curriculum theory and design in educational environments, including theories and practices of curriculum design related to pertinent research, culturally responsive pedagogy, and the integration of educational technology. Learners design curriculum and select learning experiences that addresses both short- and long-term instructional planning goals.

Learners in this course gain an understanding of the differences between standards, outcomes, and competencies and how they can be integrated into the curriculum. Learners build on this understanding, mapping competencies to outcomes and aligning standards to competencies and outcomes. Learners integrate competency- based curriculum and lesson planning with best-practice teaching approaches and develop competency-based classroom management techniques. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

Learners in this course analyze theories and research of instructional models to design and deliver content-specific instruction. Learners incorporate knowledge of cultural models, educational technology, and personalized learning to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Learners in this course gain an understanding of the differences between standards, outcomes, and competencies and how they can be integrated into the curriculum. Learners build on this understanding, mapping competencies to outcomes and aligning standards to competencies and outcomes. Learners integrate competency- based curriculum and lesson planning with best-practice teaching approaches and develop competency-based classroom management techniques. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

In this course, learners analyze theories of constructivism and cognitive flexibility and implement adaptive learning approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners. Further, learners apply the Universal Design framework to instructional design and evaluate adaptive learning dashboards that provide continuous assessment of mastery-based learning. Learners also analyze facilitator-driven and assessment-driven systems and evaluate the effectiveness of mastery-based learning in student needs, including those of students with disabilities, English-language learners, and students who are gifted or talented. The course includes an emphasis on the purpose and impact of computer-aided instruction and assessment on student achievement in competency-based education (CBE). This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

In this course, learners analyze the interrelationship of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Learners investigate a wide range of formative and summative assessment types at the classroom and school level and the impact of national and state standardized tests on assessment approaches. Learners analyze, design, and implement multiple approaches to using school wide demographic data and student assessment data to inform instruction and enhance student achievement. Finally, learners assess the role of educational technology in the design and delivery of assessment systems, use digital tools to analyze data, and communicate results to a variety of stakeholders. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

In this course, learners analyze theories of constructivism and cognitive flexibility and implement adaptive learning approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners. Further, learners apply the Universal Design framework to instructional design and evaluate adaptive learning dashboards that provide continuous assessment of mastery-based learning. Learners also analyze facilitator-driven and assessment-driven systems and evaluate the effectiveness of mastery-based learning in student needs, including those of students with disabilities, English-language learners, and students who are gifted or talented. The course includes an emphasis on the purpose and impact of computer-aided instruction and assessment on student achievement in competency-based education (CBE). This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners.

In this course, learners evaluate multicultural theories, frameworks, and models related to cultural competency while examining issues including the nature of culture, cultural identity, and how culture impacts teaching, learning, and learners. Learners create and implement curricular and instructional methods to address a range of learning styles within various cultural groups.

Learners in this course explore the fundamental components of human culture, the characteristics of individual cultures, the ways in which society and language interact, and the processes by which individuals manage cultural adaptation. Learners use their understanding of these elements to enhance their own cultural competence and pedagogical effectiveness.

In this course, learners explore action research in theory and practice as a form of inquiry and self-reflection to inform and improve their teaching. Learners examine relevant issues in their own educational setting and develop a plan to study and implement meaningful, practical, and researched-based answers. Learners design data collection, analysis, and reporting practices as part of their action research plan that will be implemented in the capstone course. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. ED5306 and either ED5950 or ED5980 must be taken in sequence and during the learner’s final two quarters.

In this course, learners explore theories and research in the areas of educational psychology and how technology impacts learning processes. Learners analyze and apply various learning theories in K-12 education, focusing on cognitive development and models, brain research, developmental learning theories, social and moral development, and the science of learning with technology.

In this capstone course, learners apply research knowledge, skills, and dispositions developed in ED5306 Action Research to Enhance Practice. Learners implement the action research process to evaluate and critically reflect on the results as a part of continuous improvement inquiry to improve student learning. Learners communicate research findings and insights with key stakeholders and critically reflect on implications as a way to find practical and useful strategies to improve their practice. This course requires access to an educational setting, students or learners, and/or classroom practitioners. ED5306 and ED5980 must be taken in sequence and during the learner’s final two quarters. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning.