Students will continue to develop and apply their understanding of teaching techniques that will serve to maximize the potential of each child through the most contemporary research-based best practices. Students will research and explore the constructivist learning strategy of Project Based Learning (PBL) and collectively uncover the variety of nuances it has to offer in contrast to traditional teacher-centered approaches.
The role of the professional educator is changing and collaboration is becoming an increasingly more important component. The course addresses the purpose and scope of co-teaching situations, examines several of the collaborative models that educators engage in, and explores the interpersonal and communicative skills inherent in effective collaboration. This is about general education teachers, special education teachers, and special education support personnel working together in a classroom to meet the needs of diverse learners. Topics covered in this course include various collaboration models, inclusive practices, technology support for students with special needs, working with paraprofessionals, and administrative support for inclusion practices. This course prepares teachers to meet the challenges of the current educational climate in which collaborative teaching is a common occurrence, as well as challenging them to develop solutions to common collaborative teaching concerns.