Education: Course Offerings

102 - REAL: Real Experiences/ Authentic Learning- Real Reading: Launching the Olympian Reader:  The purpose of this one hour course is to provide students with an experiential learning opportunity in the field of reading while promoting community service. Under the direction of a R-MC professor, school librarian, reading specialist, and classroom teachers, R-MC students will work with children in a local elementary school to read and discuss books in a collaborative manner. This course is open to all students! Permission of instructor required. One hour. fall term only. Ms Roberson. 

201 - Issues in Contemporary Education: Formation for Action: This course focuses on contemporary issues in education and how the topics intersect with and are impacted by other fields of study. It is designed for freshmen and sophomores who desire to engage in discourse with guest speakers from various disciplines as students explore multiple perspectives on education. Students will be guided as they explore topics relevant to their personal educational experiences. Active participation in class, personal interviews and discourse with guest speakers are central components. Is not required for the education minor. Three hours. Offered in January term on selected years. Bruce.

220 - Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction - The philosophical, historical, and sociological foundations of American education form a context from which students analyze the institutional characteristics and curricular patterns, objectives, and resources of the contemporary elementary and secondary schools. Emphasis is placed on issues, problems, and challenges which influence curriculum and instruction in grades preK-12 today. This course, which is a prerequisite to all other education courses, requires minimum 2.20 overall grade point average to enroll as a sophomore and 2.45 as a junior; 2.2 or 2.45, if junior, is required at the time of registration for course; must be taken concurrently with EDUC 221. Students must take Praxis 1 or acceptable substitute scores from SAT, ACT, or VCLA-reading and writing, prior to or during EDUC 220 Taught in fall term except fall and spring terms 2010-2011.  Three hours. Staff.

221 - Field Work in Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction - This course, which provides the field work concerning curriculum and instruction, must be taken concurrently with EDUC 220. One hour. Staff.

225 – Reading and Language Arts for Elementary Teachers - This course offers an overview of the developmental reading process and the related theory and instructional practices. It provides a survey of children’s literature with an emphasis on fostering creativity and facilitating language arts, and it includes an introduction to phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, writing and spelling instruction. Array of multicultural literature included. It also includes field work and a survey of reading problems, formal and informal diagnostic instruments and instructional procedure. Required for all elementary education minors. Prerequisites: EDUC 220-221 or permission from the instructor.  Offered in fall term only. Three hours. Ms. Roberson.

226 - Field Work in Reading and Language Arts for Elementary Teachers This course, which provides experiences in reading and lanuage arts in elementary schools, must be take concurrently with EDUC 225. One hour. Ms. Roberson.

227 - Math Methods for Elementary Teachers - This course provides an overview of the development of mathematical reasoning skills in elementary students (K-6) and examines the implications for the design of effective instruction. Encompassed in this course is the integration of concrete manipulatives in learning to teach mathematics as well as other content areas. Strategies for fostering an understanding of computational and problem-solving skills needed for mathematics instruction are emphasized. A fieldwork component is included. Prerequisites: EDUC 220-221.Offered in spring term only.  Three hours. Ms. Domalik.

228 - Science Methods for Elementary Teachers - This course is designed to expand pre-service teachers- knowledge and skills in the teaching of science in the K-6 classroom. New materials and methodologies will be examined in light of current trends, research findings and professional guidelines. Strategies for developing an understanding of content, process skills and attitudes of science will be modeled. A field work component is included. Offered in spring term only. Three hours. Ms. Domalik and Ms. Gonzalez..

230 – Reading in the Content Areas K-12 - This course explores how students comprehend and learn with text and how teachers can assist them in these processes. Students will examine what it means to comprehend and learn from text material. Then, students will read, discuss, and experiment with instructional strategies that promote understanding of narrative and expository texts. The course will actively engage students in using a variety of instructional approaches. The opportunity to observe inservice teachers will be included. Required for all secondary education minors. Suggested for all education minors. Prerequisites: EDUC 220-221, related fieldwork, or permission from the instructor. Offered in spring term only. Three hours. Ms. Roberson.

233 - Survey of Exceptional Children - The dimensions of exceptionality will be examined including medical, cognitive, communicative, and social/emotional. Roles and responsibilities of education and the community will be examined including speakers and/or field trips to selected sites. Research, discussion, group projects and technological resources will be used to assist in examining relevant issues. Required for all education minors.  Prerequisites: EDUC 220/221 or permission of the instructor. Students are advised to take course in sophomore year if pursuing the education minor. Offered in fall and spring terms. Three hours. Ms. Bruce, staff.

321 - Educational Psychology - A study of human growth and development (physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral) through the adolescent period. In addition, other major topics include theories of learning, intelligence, motivation and classroom management, creativity, reasoning, and problem solving. The study enables students to apply psychological principles to the educational process and classroom teaching. Units on measurement and evaluation; recognition, reporting, and responding to child abuse and neglect are included. EDUC 321 must be taken concurrently with EDUC 322. Prerequisite: EDUC 220/221. Offered in fall term. Three hours. Ms. Davis.

322 - Field Work in Educational Psychology - This course must be taken concurrently with EDUC 321. One hour.

346 - Senior Seminar - This capstone course, which is required as part of the senior block plan, is designed and organized in modules around topics essential to the continuing development of the student teacher. The student teacher learns to create an electronic professional portfolio. In addition, the seminar provides the student teacher with opportunities for analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of his/her student teaching experience. The class meets one evening each week during the spring block. Prerequisites: EDUC 220-221, 230, 233, 321-322 for secondary education minors and EDUC 220-221, 225-226, 227, 228, 233, and 321-322 for elementary education minors. Offered in spring term only. Three hours. Ms. Davis.

355 - Principles and Methods of Secondary Education - Building on the foundations of EDUC 220 and EDUC 321 as well as on the students' knowledge of their teaching fields, students continue to study secondary curriculum and instructional procedure. Emphasis is placed on topics and experiences which enable students to develop effective teaching styles. Topics include instructional planning, choosing and implementing a variety of instructional strategies, technology, classroom management, measurement and evaluation of performance and achievement, as well as working with LEP (Limited English Proficiency Students). The course work includes the students' planning, preparation, and presentation of micro-lessons, some of which will be video-taped.Students are required to create a comprehensive instructional unit of study to be used during student teaching.

In addition, major department tutorials deal with textbooks, technology, instructional materials and resources and Virginia SOLs particular to each student's teaching field.. (This course is part of the education block plan and must be taken concurrently with EDUC 346 and EDUC 425-426 during the senior year.) Prerequisites: EDUC 220-221, 230, 233, and 321-322 and admission to student teaching. Offered in spring term only. Four hours. Ms. Davis.

356 - Principles and Methods of Elementary Education - Emphasis is on multiple teaching techniques and varied instructional materials appropriate to the elementary level. The course develops an understanding of factors and competencies necessary for effective elementary classroom instruction, including the development of cross-curriculum integrated teaching units based on Virginia SOLs (Standards of Learning), classroom management strategies, teaching techniques that address learning styles, multiple intelligences, and current brain-based resrach among other aspects necessary for the student teaching experience. Working with LEP (Limited English Proficiency) students is also addressed. (This course is part of the block plan and must be taken with EDUC 346 and EDUC 425-426 during the spring term of the senior year.) Prerequisites: EDUC 220-221, 225-226, 227, 228, 233, 321-322 and admission to student teaching. Offered in January term only. Three hours. Staff.

425 -  Observation (for student teaching) - Observation and student teaching (300 hours total) are the capstone experiences for all Education minors. Students are given opportunities to integrate knowledge and experiences from all other Education courses and field work. These include: professional, academic, and creative integrations. Education 425 includes 4-5 weeks of observation, participation, and specific assignments to prepare the student for ten weeks of full-time student teaching. Elementary student teachers have two separate placements for ten weeks of full-time student teaching. This course is taught as part of the Education block and must be taken concurrently with Education 426 and Education 355.  Prerequisites: Education 220/221; 321/322 and additional specified courses for elementary and secondary minors plus admission to student teaching.  Offered in spring term only. Three hours. 

426 - Student Teaching - Student teaching is the culminating experience for the Education minor. Student teaching is designed to integrate and refine knowledge and experiences to become an effective teacher. Student teaching is a full-time ten week teaching experience. Student teaching fulfills the Cross Area Requirement for Experiential Learning and Capstone experience.  Offered in spring term only. Six hours.

450 - Directed Field Studies - This course provides an opportunity, under unusual circumstances, for a qualified student to gain practical experience or research study with an educational institution through field placement. this course does not fulfill requirement of the Teacher Preparation Program.  Prerequisite: permission of the department chair. Three hours. Staff.

455 - Internship in Education - Designed for juniors or seniors with a minimum of a 2.25 GPA who desire an immersion experience in an educational setting other than those available through education course-related field work experiences. The qualified student should have a specific area of educational interest such as special education, working in juvenile detention classrooms, working with school counselors, working in hospital settings, etc. The student will need to have successfully completed EDUC 220-221 or have permission of the instructor. For elective credit only, this course may not count towards an education minor. Application is required. Three semester hours. Staff.

Study Abroad courses offered at Wroxton College in England

76ED430 - Education in Britain - Education in Britain today is being revolutionized. This course follows the history and development of education in England and Wales, examines basic educational philosophy, and analyzes the most recent innovations, trends, and issues in British education. Includes observations in public and private British schools. Three hours. This course does not fulfill requirement of the Teacher Preparation Program.  Offered in January term in selected years.