EDCI Course Announcements

This page lists announcements and brief abstracts of new or featured courses planned for upcoming terms. Contact links are also provided for additional information.

EDCI 788A/EDPS 788A: Seminar in Mixed Methods: An Analysis of Teaching Quality

Mixed methods are an increasingly important research design in investigations of education phenomena. However, few courses provide students with an opportunity to grapple with the practical challenges of conducting a mixed methods study.

In this course, students will examine the epistemological and methodological issues involved in conducting such studies. Working in small groups, students design and conduct analyses using an existing dataset that includes qualitative and quantitative data on the teaching of mathematics and reading in elementary schools. The primary goals of the course are for students to identify a mixed methods research question, conduct analyses that address the question, and work with multiple types of data. Students will be encouraged to collaborate on manuscripts suitable for presentation at professional meetings.

Data for this course come from the High-Quality Teaching study, directed by Linda Valli and Robert G. Croninger. Students examine issues in the use of mixed methods by conducting data analyses using existing qualitative and quantitative datasets on the teaching of mathematics and reading in elementary schools. Background in qualitative and/or quantitative methods required. Permission of instructor. Dr. Croninger (croninge@umd.edu) or Dr. Valli (LRV@umd.edu), is required. This course is cross listed in EDCI and EDPS. (more info)

EDCI 488Q: Practices and Public Policy in Education

This course investigates current practice and public policy issues in education as they relate to English language learners in K-12 settings. Principle topics include Bilingual and ESL policy and programs, basic ESOL pedagogy, language in bilingual and ESL classrooms, ESL content instruction and assessment, bilingual special education and community development for ESL students. Teachers will apply second language theory to practice via video analyses and/or micro-teaching and develop ESL teaching portfolios. For additional information contact Suzanne Baer <sbaer@umd.edu> or the instructor Ying Zhang <vhf729@yahoo.com>

EDCI 688E: Multicultural Materials and Instruction for Children and Young Adults

For Spring 2008
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Turner (jdturner@umd.edu)

This course will introduce participants to a wide range of reading materials and instructional methods that engage children and young adults. Social constructivist theories will serve as a frame for the course, and participants will read the works of several key theorists. Using video cases, children’s literature and other texts, as well as technology, participants will explore instructional materials and strategies for beginning and young adult readers related to 3 strands of diversity: (a) Cultural Diversity, including multicultural literature and culturally relevant reading instruction; (b) Linguistic Diversity, including literature with multilingual characters and research-based instructional practices for English Language Learners; and (c) Learning Diversity, including literature emphasizing individual differences (e.g., gender, special education) and research-based instructional practices related to various learning differences.

EDCI 588: Teach Coach and Reflect: Supervising Student Teachers.

Instructor: Susan Denvir, Professional Development School Coordinator

410-562-4881 sdenvir@umd.edu

This is a course for teachers serving as mentors to university teacher candidates. It will require both hours in the classroom as well practicum hours. Teachers will discuss theory, research, and best practices related to the supervision of teacher interns. Following each class session, teachers will engage in field based implementation activities with their university interns in order to implement and evaluate these mentoring strategies.

EDCI 288L:  Exploring Teaching as a Career

This one-credit course is designed for students: 1) interested in becoming an elementary or secondary school teacher and/ or 2) interested in exploring what it means to work with elementary or secondary school children and promote learning both within and outside of the formal classroom. A primary component of this course is weekly participation as a volunteer tutor in a local community program. 
 
This course may be taken by prospective elementary and secondary education majors interested in a field experience with children in academic settings. The course content is also designed to help students who have not declared an education major clarify whether they want to pursue teaching as a career goal. Any questions about EDCI 288L can be sent to the course instructor:  Kristin Hamilton hamiltkb@umd.edu