Elementary Education Course Descriptions
EDUCA 113 BRIDGE TO TEACHING. This course extends the transition to college experience begun in the GED Freshman Studies course, and is specifically designed to assist potential education candidates in their transition into the Elementary Education program. (1)
EDUCA 200 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION. This work-study plan is designed to integrate the student's academic experiences with practical experiences on the job. Students enrich their education by alternating institutional periods of study with practical periods of meaningful work in business, industry, health, social, and state agencies. Fee required. (6)
EDUCA 207 SERVICE LEARNING. Service has always been an integral part of the mission of Saint Augustine's College. Furthermore, trends in higher education favor a partnership between colleges and universities and the communities in and around which they are situated, and students are required in many colleges and universities to give service to the community as part of their educational experience. (3)
EDUCA 210 CAREER PLANNING. This course is designed to teach students to become creative, competitive, and knowledgeable career-planners. Course content and project work include academic experience translated to the work world, skills identification, decision-making, individual career options, and alternate job search strategies. (3)
EDUCA 211 BASIC TEST-TAKING SKILLS – READING. This course focuses on developing reading skills and is designed to introduce techniques that can be used by students from various disciplines to maximize their scores in standardized examinations. Students are required to take this course as they prepare for and successfully complete the PRAXIS I examination. Fee required. (.5)
EDUCA 212 BASIC TEST-TAKING SKILLS – WRITING. This course focuses on developing writing skills and is designed to introduce techniques that can be used by students from various disciplines to maximize their scores in standardized examinations. Students are required to take this course as they prepare for and successfully complete the PRAXIS I examination. Fee required. (.5)
EDUCA 213 BASIC TEST-TAKING SKILLS – MATHEMATICS. This course focuses on developing mathematics skills and is designed to introduce techniques that can be used by students from various disciplines to maximize their scores in standardized examinations. Students are required to take this course as they prepare for and successfully complete the PRAXIS I examination. Fee required. (.5)
EDUCA 233 FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION. The beginning professional course in education includes the history, philosophy, and the sociological foundations of education, which aim to give the student a broad overview of education as a discipline from its inception to the present. Required of all students seeking admission to teacher education. (3)
EDUCA 235 INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN. In this course, mental, physical, emotional, and social traits of several types of exceptional children will be discussed. Learning characteristics of gifted, learning disabled and physically handicapped children will be studied, as well as their effects upon the regular classroom. (3)
EDUCA 250 FIELD EXPERIENCE – Level 1. This is a field-based practicum for Education majors only. Teacher Education majors are placed in public schools with diverse student populations at various grade levels and under the supervision of certified teacher/mentors. During this experience, students are engaged in classroom observations of teachers and diverse student populations at various grade levels. Students will also observe teaching methods, classroom management, discipline methods, and student behavior. Permission from the instructor or Director of Field Experiences is required to enroll in this class. (1)
EDUCA 301 SURVEY OF NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY. A study of the key events and developments that have shaped the history of the state and realms and regions of North Carolina, including physiography, culture, economics and politics. This course is designed to provide the prospective teacher with a through knowledge of the history and geography of North Carolina, learn what has made North Carolina a unique state in the context of American history, and how North Carolina has contributed to the growth of the American nation. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 310 DIVERSITY AND FAMILY FOCUS. This course explores instructional theory and practical ways to understand life in a diverse society related to teaching and learning in the elementary school. It also gives education majors/clinical practitioners principles and suggestions about how to involve parents/guardians in their child’s education to promote social, emotional, and academic growth. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 321 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY . This course is designed to introduce teacher education majors to the current and historical views of the learner, the learning process, and psychological principles as they relate to teaching and learning. Through review and analysis of major psychological theories, the student will develop an understanding of growth and development. Education majors will develop an understanding of how educational psychology can be used to support the planning, management, and delivery of instruction while addressing the needs of individual learners and improving communication. Prequisites: General Psychology 232; Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program (3)
EDUCA 323 ELEMENTARY READING INSTRUCTION . This basic course is designed to teach reading that will assure students’ knowledge and familiarity with current methods, materials, and significant research in developmental reading. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (2)
EDUCA 324 THE TEACHING OF LANGUAGE ARTS. This course investigates methods and materials used in teaching the language arts in grades K-6. Instructional techniques applicable to the teaching of spelling, handwriting, dramatics, and compositional skills will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (2)
EDUCA 330 CHILD DEVELOPMENT. This is a professional level course designed to cover the developmental milestones of child development from prenatal to adolescence. Specifically, the course covers, the physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial development of this population. Additionally, the course affords students the opportunity to research, examine, assess and analyze the impact of social, family and economic factors that may inhibit 'normal' development. Particular attention is given to the impact of these variables on a child's educational performance. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 335 CURRICULUM AND METHODS IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES. This course will give the student a broad perspective on science education from its historical development to current issues and trends. This course explores instructional theory and methods related to teaching elementary school science. It includes the tenets of constructivism and inquiry based science teaching, discussions of effective methods, and examines and utilizes materials in elementary school science teaching. Material and lessons are developed and may be used during a practical classroom experience. Prerequisites: Two General Studies science courses and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (2)
EDUCA 336 CHILDREN'S LITERATURE. This course is designed for recreational reading instruction and surveys the field of children's literature from early childhood through grade eight. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 337 CURRICULUM AND METHODS IN HUMANITIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES. This course includes the teaching of other language arts besides reading (reading and the basic communicative skills are covered by EDUCA 339), the teaching of the affective domain (attitudes and values), and all other subjects of the elementary (K-6) school that deal with human relations. Open only to juniors and first-semester seniors. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (2)
EDUCA 338 CURRICULUM AND METHODS IN MATHEMATICS. The teaching of mathematics in the elementary schools (K-6) will be emphasized. Prerequisites: MATH 233 and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (2)
EDUCA 350 FIELD EXPERIENCE – Level 2. This is a field-based practicum for Education majors only. Teacher Education majors are placed in public schools with diverse student populations at various grade levels and under the supervision of certified teacher/mentors. During this experience, students are engaged in assisting the cooperating teacher with individual students, small groups of students or the entire class. The students should also assist the cooperating teacher with limited tasks such as attendance, marking papers, photocopying, or other records management tasks. The students will also have opportunities to observe the teacher’s planning process for the class being observed and assisted. Permission from the instructor or Director of Field Experiences is required to enroll in this class. Prerequisites: EDUCA 250 and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (2)
EDUCA 411 BASIC TEST-TAKING SKILLS – PRAXIS II. This course focuses on developing skills that will be assessed and test-taking techniques to maximize their scores in licensing examinations. Students are required to take this course as they prepare for and successfully complete the PRAXIS II examination. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (.5)
EDUCA 428 EDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY. This course is designed to introduce teacher education majors to the current and emerging technologies, which can be incorporated into the K-12 curriculum. Emphasis will be placed on hands-on computer application instruction and the use of various media devices such as digital cameras, videos, scanners, etc. Teacher education candidates will develop an understanding of how educational media and technology can be used to plan, manage and deliver instruction while addressing the needs of individual learners and improving communication. The prospective Teacher Educator will be able to exhibit proficiency with the North Carolina Technology Competencies. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 431 PRINCIPLES OF SECONDARY EDUCATION. This is a course especially designed to precede student teaching in the secondary school. Special attention is given to the interrelationship of the high school curriculum with the needs of the adolescent: personality, general and special abilities, aptitude, achievement and interest. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 432 TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS. This course is recommended for all teachers, psychologists, and social workers. The course is designed to aid in the development of teacher-made tests, the use of standardized tests, and employment of statistical data in education. Prerequisites: Math 233 and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 436 THE MODERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. The course is concerned with the history, curriculum, and objectives of the elementary school years and the kind of educational process necessary to realize these objectives. Required of all elementary education majors prior to student teaching. Prerequisites: EDUCA 233 and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (2)
EDUCA 437 ASSESSMENT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION. This course emphasizes the protocol, interpretation, analysis and educational tests used in partnership with other measures in identifying students who may need special education assistance. Students are heavily involved in administration, interpretation and educational and behavior management planning for special needs students. The course also reviews recent technology to assist these efforts. Prerequisites: EDUCA 235 and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 438 EDUCATION LAW. This is an introductory course in education law and its impact on public school issues, personnel, programming, student and parental rights, teacher and administrative planning and other curricular planning issues. Prerequisites: EDUCA 233, 235, and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. Pre-or co-requisite: EDUCA 436. (3)
EDUCA 450 FIELD EXPERIENCE – Level 3.This is a field-based practicum for Education majors only. Teacher Education majors are placed in public schools with diverse student populations at various grade levels and under the supervision of certified teacher/mentors. This experience will provide students with their first opportunity for full participation in activities and projects with the cooperating teacher. The student can provide individual or group assistance. During this phase, the student is expected to write lesson plans and teach lessons. Permission from the instructor or Director of Field Experiences is required to enroll in this class. Prerequisites: EDUCA 250, 350 and admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. Fee required. 2)
EDUCA 461 STUDENT TEACHING. This course involves directed professional laboratory experiences, including sixty (60) or more hours of observation-participation and student teaching. Permission from the Teacher Education Department Chair and approval of the Teacher Education Committee is required. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (12)
EDUCA 465 SEMINAR IN EDUCATION - AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH. This course is designed to strengthen students in the skills needed for competency in teaching-learning activities. Research relevant to changes in Teacher Education programs will be thoroughly analyzed. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. (3)
EDUCA 466 ADVANCED FIELD PLACEMENT. This ten-week Internship is designed for students who are currently working in the public schools. In collaboration with p rincipals, LEAs and Teacher Education f aculty, individuals will be mentored and evaluated in accordance with student teaching policies. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy/Teacher Education Program. By permission only from the Teacher Education Department Chair. (3)