Objective

The objective of this program is to expand each student’s understanding and mastery of current and valued instructional strategies. Students develop practical, research-based strategies for classroom use. The program will enhance the teacher-learner dynamic, as well as the learning potential of the MA candidate’s student’s through emphasis on the “how-to’s” of effective instruction.

Philosophy

The courses are taught using a combination of mini-lecture, discussion, cooperative learning strategies and group projects. "Theory into practice" is stressed, with instruction focusing on "real-life" classroom teaching situations.

The outcome of the MA program is to assist the classroom teacher in developing, through research and practices, her/his knowledge, skill level and overall classroom expertise. Out-of-class activities, course projects and assignments, culminating in the Performance Project, will enable/require the candidate to apply in the classroom the knowledge and skill that have been learned and mastered. The ultimate beneficiaries of this program will be the children, the schools and the community.