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Fall 2009 |
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| Summer | Fall | Spring | PDC Home |
Educ 5866 – Gender and Background as Determinants for Classroom Instruction
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., August 15/16 and August 29/30
As teachers, we need to consider how a student’s gender or background may contribute to classroom performance at all levels, both formal and informal. Do boys truly learn mathematics more easily than girls? What do we need to consider as we create classroom activities and assessments for our students? Gender, diversity, motivation, background knowledge, out-of-school environment and other underlying factors will be carefully examined in the context of classroom strategies, types of assessment and relationship to NCLB to help create an optimal learning situation for students. This course will be taught by Dr. Jill Yurko. Early-bird registration deadline: August 3.
Educ 5862 – Using Humor and Games to Reinforce Content Learning
Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., August 17-August 20
This course will provide both experienced and beginning educators with a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which humor and games can reinforce topic material from lectures and readings. Concepts examined will include identifying how laughter and humor are good for learning and learners. The course will explore movement and play as a vehicle for effective learning. It will provide simple, user-friendly activities based on the many principles of neuroscience. Participants will engage in games that can be adapted to fit a variety of classroom situations and in brain-based learning experiences that take place in a brain-compatible learning environment. This course will be taught by Brooke Merring, M.S. Early-bird registration deadline: August 3.
Educ 5863 – Strategies for Homework and Successful Alternatives to Homework
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., September 12/13 and September 26/27
What kind of homework is most effective? How much is too much? Are there effective alternatives? It is common for students to have difficulty completing homework in a timely and accurate manner. This course will give participants a thorough and wide-ranging review that focuses on the best available evidence. It will attempt to answer fundamental questions about homework, including recent research on homework and achievement, pupils’ attitudes, parental involvement and influence, and key aspects of the homework environment. Participants will develop a homework policy that will get the most out of homework and homework alternatives, learn homework practices that support students with disabilities, and address other challenges related to homework issues. This course will be taught by Beth Connor, M.S., Wyoming Area School District. Early-bird registration deadline: August 31.
Educ 5869 – Teaching in a Time of Shrinking Budgets
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., September 12/13 and September 26/27
A teacher in K-12 schools spends, on average, $1800 a year on classroom supplies. During these economic times, school budgets are shrinking and fewer teaching supplies are supplied by the school district. This course will help teachers locate educational material at free or reduced cost. Subject areas of science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies will be discussed. A prize will be awarded for the best money-saving technique developed in the class. Also considered will be the impact of understaffing, more students in fewer sections, and other difficulties posed by shrinking budgets. This course will be taught by Dr. Joyce Armstrong, King’s College. Early-bird registration deadline: August 31.
Educ 5839 – Computer Skills for the Ambitious Educator
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., October 3/4 and October 17/18
In this course students will learn more advanced uses of Microsoft Office, e-mail, webpages and the Internet. They will be introduced to Spreadsheets and Databases and how they can be used in conjunction with Microsoft Word to manage information without difficulty. Students will learn how to create labels and use mail merge for lists. These skills will help educators organize and expedite their daily routines. Participants need an active King’s computer account (call the Graduate Office for help) and should bring a USB drive to class to save their work. This course will be taught by Russell Singer, WVW Middle School Technology Coordinator and computer science teacher. Early-bird registration deadline: September 21.
Educ 5861 – Look it Up! Teaching Students to Use the Library and the Internet for Research
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., October 10/11 and October 24/25
A literate society expects its members to access, assess, and assimilate information for a variety of purposes, especially in a changing technological world. To meet this need, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has developed research standards for students in Commonwealth schools. This course enables teachers to participate in activities, to design classroom lessons, and to practice skills to assist students in meeting these standards. The course will be taught by Thomas Jones, M.S., educational consultant and retired high school teacher. Early-bird registration deadline: September 28.
Educ 5865 – Utilizing Agencies and Interventions for At-Risk Students
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., October 24/25 and November 7/8
This class will address the mental health profession and its impact on education, particularly through state-initiated projects such as RTI, Resiliency, and SAP. Additionally, it will address the function of outside service agencies in the school, principally services provided through Type 50 Wrap-Around contracts. Finally, the class will look at mental health issues, including suicide, drug/alcohol awareness, self-mutilation, and depression, and their impact both on children and on the school as a whole. The class will be co-taught by Joe DeLucca and Erin Keating, administrators in the Wyoming Valley West School District. Early-bird registration deadline: October 12.
Educ 5864 – Teaching in a Standards-Aligned System
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., November 7/8 and November 21/22
Throughout this course, teachers will be presented with a practical, step-by-step approach to aligning curriculum with state standards and assessment anchors. Topics to be discussed will include: PSSA assessments, interpreting PSSA data, curriculum mapping, the value of PSSA preparation courses, and designing standardized assessments for use in the classroom. The value of computer software packages to assist in these tasks will also be discussed. This course will be taught by Anthony P. Grieco, WVW Director of Curriculum. Early-bird registration deadline: October 26.
| The Professional Development Center is a collaborative effort with the Education Department and the Graduate Division at King's College, and teachers and administrators at schools within the Wyoming Valley. Instructors and course offerings are selected by members of an advisory board chaired by Dr. Nicholas Holodick, professor of education, vice president for academic affairs, and director of the Professional Development Center. |
©2005 JKMoore