An Introduction to Sign Language in the Classroom

This course is designed for teachers with limited or no prior knowledge of sign language. Students will experience various signing systems including American Sign Language (ASL), Signing Exact English (SEE) and Pidgin Sign Language (PSL). Through music, video, manual practice and role play, participants will develop an awareness of the hard of hearing/deaf culture, build a functional signing vocabulary and improve total communication skills, within hearing and non-hearing teaching environments.
ED A5158       3 credits (G)

Inclusionary Education: Developing a Classroom for All Students K-12

This course is designed to provide classroom teachers with pertinent information needed in the exploration of issues related to inclusion. Through a multimedia activity-based format, educators will gain a better understanding of special needs students and examine strategies and modifications that can enhance learning for all students in the inclusive classroom.

ED A5114       3 credits (G)

Assisting Students with Loss, Death & Grief

Not only death, but losses caused by divorce, broken friendships, failures and moving on can cause severe suffering. Designed to help educators deal with various aspects of loss and bereavement issues and the effects on students and classroom settings. The concepts of death, how a child’s grieving process differs from an adult’s and the emotional difficulties following painful events which often result in post traumatic stress will be explored. Emphasis on the patience, understanding and support needed in the emotional healing process in an educational environment as well as customs, cultural differences and bioethics are covered.
ED A5111      3 credits (G)

Crisis in Our Schools: An Educator’s Handbook for Safe Schools

This course provides educators with practical skills and ideas they will find personally and professionally helpful in preparing and developing strategies and materials for dealing with various crisis that may arise in the school community. Utilizing a case method approach, this course will challenge participants to examine their attitudes and expand their knowledge of a range of crises that impact students and schools today. Specific concerns from bullying prevention to managing the aggressive child will be addressed. All class participants will learn art therapy, explore the role of students assistance programs, experience a mock expulsion hearing and complete a certification course in Management of Aggressive Behavior.

ED A5162     3 credits (G)

Developing and Implementing Student Mediation Programs

This course introduces the process of and skills necessary for peer mediation within a classroom setting and encourages teachers and administrators to explore mediation and conflict resolution with the goal of introducing such programs into their schools. Where programs already exist, strategies to make them more successful will be shared.

ED A5155     3 credits (G)

Where the Law Meets the Schoolhouse Gate in the 21st Century

From school prayer (explored by the Supreme Court in 2000 in the context of a football game) to teacher liability, this course will expose the K-12 educator to the intricacies of school law. Education cases from the Supreme Court dealing with subjects as diverse as violence against women and mandatory student fees will be viewed through the prism of the history of school law and analyzed with a focus on the future directions of school law. To paraphrase the famous language of the Tinker decision; “Students, teachers and administrators do not abandon their rights upon entering the schoolhouse gate; however, unless they are careful, school law might make them feel that way!”

ED A5153      3 Credits (G)

Current Drug Trends and Youth Prevention Programs

This course will overview current drug trends in the Delaware Valley.  Participants will review drugs of the past and how the youth drug culture has changed. The course will also review drug and violence prevention programs for your classroom. Materials will be used not only to outline and to show examples of the current drugs, but also trends in youth crime associated with drugs and violence in our area.

ED A5988      3 credits (G)

Building Character: Service Based Learning in the Classroom K-12

This course will explore the concept of character education as it applies to service learning as well as character building activities that can be used in the classroom. The concept of service learning will be introduced in detail along with exposure to various service learning organizations. Many ideas will be shared on how to connect real life experiences (service learning), character building and civic responsibility with a teacher’s curriculum.

ED A5713     3 credits (G)

Differentiated Instructional Needs: Motivating More Students to Learn K-12

Through a multimedia activity based format, educators will examine how a differentiated approach to instruction can assist in motivating and meeting more of the students’ learning needs. This course will explore strategies that help the educator respond actively and positively to the many needs of their learners. Some of the topics that will be examined include the who, what, where, when and how of a differentiated classroom learning styles, multiple intelligence, learning centers, curriculum tubs and open ended learning activities. Students will gain practical knowledge to assist in implementing strategies that promote the differentiated classroom.

ED A5141     3 credits (G)

Understanding & Helping Abused, Neglected and Abandoned Children, K-12

Child welfare rules created during the 1970’s have not kept pace with our changing society. Education is an essential component of the effort to prevent child abuse and neglect and to reduce the consequences to abused and neglected children. This course will present up-to-date information from professionals in the areas of Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Mental Health, Medical, Legal and Social Services. The issues of the mandatory abuse and neglect reporting, required of educators will be clarified. The educator’s role in identification of characteristics symptoms of post traumatic stress disorders and trauma will be explored. Individual research will be done on identifying community resources.

ED A5987     3 credits (G)

Creative Instructional Strategies Using Humor in the Classroom

In this activities based class, participants will try creative instructional strategies using humor. These strategies can be adapted to various curriculums and will concentrate predominately on upper elementary, middle and high schools levels. Research about the use of humor in the classroom as a learning tool will be discussed. Participants will be introduced to brain research that supports the concept that students retain more when information is presented in ways that promote fun and laughter. Additional topics include: an exploration of creative, educational websites; the importance of humor in relieving stress; the relationship between laughter and good health, and how to add humor to some of your lessons using pop culture.

ED A5112     3 credits (G)

Diversity in the Classroom: Making It Work

Teachers in grades K-12 are challenged by an ever changing and diverse school community. Students will examine components of diversity, culture, gender, learning styles, sexual orientation and disabilities. Through cooperative group activities, multi-media materials and literature, this course will assist teachers in developing an awareness of and respect for diverse cultures. Emphasis on ways to promote sensitivities, tolerance and understanding in the classroom and school.

ED A5984       3 credits (G)

Protecting Students from Online Victimization and Exploitation

While the internet is a valuable educational tool, predatory criminals have discovered it to be an excellent medium for seeking out victims and exploiting them for sexual gratification and other criminal means. Common techniques used by internet criminals will be explored as an exercise in awareness. Intervention and prevention strategies will be presented and discussed through a variety of creative exercises.

ED A5986       3 credits (G)

Domestic Violence and Abuse: Preventative Strategies for Educators

Curriculum and program development, teaching strategies and preventative strategies will be explored for implementing in K-12 classrooms. Materials used in this course will address: personal safety education, sexual abuse prevention education, children living in violent homes, persons with developmental disabilities, adolescent and young adult victims of sexual assault, definitions for harassment vs. assault, elder abuse and more.

ED A5118       3 credits (G)

Juvenile Justice and the American Classroom

An overview of the American Juvenile Justice system will be explored and critiqued, making application to the educator’s role in the system. Current trends relating to incarcerated juvenile offenders, dependent children and juvenile offenders certified as adults will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on students that are involved in the Juvenile Justice System and how they can manage in the mainstream education setting. The need and value of alternative educational settings will also be discussed.

ED A5160     3 credits (G)

Mean Boys and Girls: A Look at Bullying Prevention in the Schools

Recent studies show that more than three quarters of students surveyed say that that they have been bullied, joined in bullying another, or been both victim and perpetrator during their time at school. Many educators are looking for a simple fix, a way to “bullyproof” the school environment, yet research in the field and the experience of experts suggest the problem is much deeper and more entrenched. This course will provide educators with a broad view of the problem, beginning with standard definitions of bullying and exploring the issue through various subsets, from gender to race. The class will look at legal attempts to control bullying behavior and will explore the impact of bullying both in the school setting and beyond.

ED A5209     3 credits (G)

HIV/AIDS Education: The Educators Role for the Future of America

The medical, emotional, social and legal aspects of HIV/AIDS and its impact on the American classroom will be discussed.  Topics include: HIV transmission and prevention, psychosocial issues associated with HIV/AIDS treatment strategies, testing procedures and HIV/AIDS education strategies. Emphasis will be placed on exploring the impact of HIV/AIDS on a variety of communities, especially young people.

ED A5116     3 credits (G)

Contemporary Sexuality Issues in Education

Designed to provide educators with an overview of contemporary issues, this course covers major methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of human sexuality. Emphasis will be placed on how these issues affect and are affected by values, behaviors, education and life span development. Topics will include: gender, sexual orientation, healthy lifelong sexuality and sexuality education.

ED A5113

Creating Safe Spaces: Addressing LGBTQ Issues in School

It is critical to create safer spaces for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (lgbtq). At the same time, lesbian and gay parents are increasingly represented in our schools. While values differ regarding homosexuality, all educators agree that respect and safety are qualities that are needed in our schools. This course is intended to help educators develop the awareness, background knowledge and skills to create safer spaces for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

ED A5990     3 credits (G)

Computer Applications for Teachers

This project-based course for teachers serves as a broad-based introduction to using a personal computer. The program is designed to introduce teachers to the computer applications Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Internet Explorer. Upon completion, teachers will leave with usable projects and forms specific to their classes. Prerequisite: Basic Keyboard and Mouse skills.

ED A5208     3 credits (G)

Music Influence on Youth

This course will explore the youth music culture and the many genres of music. Participants will review recent research relating to music, music videos and their effect on children’s attitudes and behavior. The importance of jewelry, graffiti and slang terminology will be communicated throughout the course, How much influence does the music culture have on our society? Does music cause or effect behavior? These are just a couple of the issues to be explored through discussion, activities and classroom presentations.

ED A5878     3 credits (G)

Connecting Creativity to the Curriculum K-12

This course will explore the key concepts of creativity and critical thinking skills. Strategies will be presented that will help the educator further develop the concept of creative problem solving as an integral part of the curriculum. Techniques for extending their students’ thinking across content areas will result in a more enriched curriculum as well as original, unique and unusual products for performance based assessments.

ED A5144      3 credits (G)

WE THE PEOPLE: The Citizen and the Constitution

Public schools were originally created to inculcate the values of citizenship in our representative democracy, but the pressures of high stakes testing and the needs of 21st century society have pushed traditional civics classes from the curriculum (and those who suffered through poor versions of such classes feel no loss). This course explores what it means to be a citizen in our nation’s third century, looking at both the sources of and developments in rule of law. Expert speakers and an interactive curriculum, including mock trials and la and justice role plays, will show how teachers in every subject at every grade level can—and should– promote civic learning in their classrooms. From rules for kindergarten classroom to the latest court cases, this course will educate participants about our democratic values and how to teach them.

ED A5985     3 credits (G)

Sign Language II: A Workshop in Conversational Sign Language for the Classroom

This course offers educators the opportunity for practice and development of existing signing skills. Participants will expand their signing vocabulary through demonstration, music and interactive practice. Students will improve manual skills by interpreting a variety of literature and by engaging in classroom related dialogue. Prerequisite: EDA5158, Intro to Sign with a final grade of “A”.

ED A5316       3 credits (G)