Dean B. Roberts, Ed.D., Head
203 Clay Hall-Education Building
Telephone (615) 963-5474
Faculty: M. Alvarez, F. Cathey, S. Chakraborti, C. Dickens, L. J. Drummond, M. Dunn, B. Glimps, J. R. Groseclose, J. M. Hunter, D. Mathis, D. McCargar, R. Pederson, J. Presley, R. Renfro, L. Simpson, C. Stice, C. Williams.
General Statement: The Department of Teaching and Learning is designed primarily for providing professional education for teachers. It offers undergraduate professional courses for prospective elementary and secondary school teachers and a major in special education. The program of teacher education includes three broad areas of study: general core, academic major, and professional education. The general education programs, required of all departments offering a teacher education program, is described in the general Academic information section of this catalog. The Professional Education core is presented below.
Career Options
The immediate career goal of those studying in the Department of Teaching and Learning is to become a K-12 school teacher. Eventually, however, many students pursue advanced degrees and become principals, counselors, supervisors, superintendents and university professors of education.
Professional Education
The basic pattern of professional education needed for teaching has certain common elements that apply to problems that all teachers face irrespective of the age level of the pupils who are under their supervision. In addition, preparation for teaching on the different educational levels and in various curriculum areas require specialized training appropriate to the different areas. The basic pattern of professional education, therefore, includes (1) core professional courses required of all persons in teacher education and (2) specialized professional courses appropriate to the different areas (see major for individual licensure requirements).
Core Professional Requirements
In planning the core professional program, attention was given to those areas of study that are considered essential to the development, understandings and competencies needed by all teachers.
These areas include:
- Historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of American education.
- Human growth and development, and the psychology of learning, including an understanding of how children grow physically, emotionally, and mentally, as well as the nurture necessary for wholesome growth. The relationship between growth and learning and new behavior patterns is also included.
- Understanding school organization, administration, and management, and the relationship of the school to the total community.
- Techniques of measurement, evaluation, and classroom guidance.
- Skill in curriculum development.
The following courses are required of all persons who are enrolled in the professional teacher education program.
EDCI 2010 History and Foundations of Education
EDCI 3870 Curriculum Development
EDCI 4190 Technology in the School
EDAD 4000 Professional Rights and Responsibilities
EDSE 3330 Education of Exceptional Children
PSYC 2420 Human Growth and Learning
PSYC 3120 Meas/Eval/Clrm Public Schools
Specialized Professional Education Requirements
The specialized professional education requirements vary according to the area of licensure in which one seeks certification.
The specialized requirements adapted to grades K-8, grades 7-12, grades K-12 include:
- Materials and methods of teaching appropriate to the level of certification, including reading methodology.
- Knowledge and understanding of learning and behavioral characteristics of disabled children
- Supervised student teaching appropriate to an area of endorsement.
- Specialized requirements as outlined under the area to which they apply.
- Teacher education admission and retention requirements as specified in the introductory material included under the general heading: The College of Education.
Course Descriptions
Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI)
EDCI 1010 Orientation (1) . [formerly EDCI 101] A course that provides an orientation both to the University and the field of teaching. It meets the requirement for University orientation. Should be taken the first semester of enrollment. Field experience required.
EDCI 2010 History and Foundation of Education (3). [formerly EDCI 201] A course that includes a study of the historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of the American public schools, with emphasis on the traditional function of the American public school as a local community institution. Field experience required.
EDCI 2100-2200 Field Study in Education (2-2). [formerly EDCI 210] A course that presents problems of teachers in active service in the fields of methods of teaching, curriculum materials, school-community relationships and school organization.
EDCI 3510-3520 Developmental Field Experiences for Teaching (1-1). [formerly EDCI 351] The course includes field experiences in which students perform tasks related to teaching and teacher roles. The course may be taken separately or concurrently by consent of instructor but must be taken before student teaching. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
EDCI 3870 Curriculum Development (3). [formerly EDCI 387] A course that present a critical study of the reorganization, construction, and administration of the school curriculum in light of modern educational principles and objectives. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field experience required. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
EDCI 3905 Methods of Elementary Teaching: Humanities and Social Studies (3). [formerly EDCI 390A] A course that addresses methods of instruction in what are broadly identified as humanities and social science areas: social studies, language arts, art, and music. Knowledge and skills are addressed in special methods associated with these disciplines and recommended practice at the elementary school level. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field Experience required. Course should be taken the semester before student teaching. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
EDCI 3906 Methods of Elementary Teaching: Sciences and Mathematics (3) . [formerly EDCI 390B] A course that addresses methods of instruction in the areas of science, mathematics, and the instructional use of technology. Knowledge and skills are addressed in the teaching of science and mathematics content areas appropriate to the elementary school learner. The use of technology, especially microcomputers as instructional tools, is incorporated. Admission to Teacher Education. Field Experience. Course should be taken the semester before student teaching. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
EDCI 4170 Home Educational uses of Micro-Computers (1-3). [formerly EDCI 417] A course that deals with various techniques for using the microcomputers in the home.
EDCI 4180 Children and Micro-Computer Technology (1-3). [formerly EDCI 418] A course that deals with computer language and software as it relates to the education of children.
EDCI 4190 Technology in the School (1-3). [formerly EDCI 419] A course that deals with computer introduction for secondary schools.
EDCI 4200 Introduction of Word Processing in Elementary Education (1-3). [formerly EDCI 420] A course designed to explore how word processing can benefit the elementary school student.
EDCI 4705 Educational Seminar (3). [formerly EDCI 470A] A course that presents a study of current issues and research in education. Emphasis is placed upon the student’s developing a coherent approach to educational theory and practice. Taken concurrently with EDCI 4721, Student Teaching in the Secondary School. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
EDCI 4706 Educational Seminar (3). [formerly EDCI 470B] A course that presents a study and analysis of the basic course content of courses taught in the elementary schools. Taken concurrently with EDCI 4720 Student Teaching in the Elementary School. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
EDCI 4720 Enhanced Student Teaching in the Elementary School (12) . [formerly EDCI 472M] A course that consists of directed observations, participation, and teaching in the elementary grades. It provides opportunities for students to work in typical school situations under the guidance of experienced teachers. Parallel readings and conferences for further interpreting and enriching these experiences are held regularly. This course is open only to seniors and teachers with some experiences. Prerequisite: Completion of professional education requirements and Admission to Teacher Education. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required. Passing scores on Praxis II examinations.
EDCI 4721 Enhanced Student Teaching in the Secondary Schools, Grades 7 through 12 (12). [formerly EDCI 472N] Actual classroom experience in secondary schools under the charge of expert teachers in cooperating schools. Student teacher schedules should be arranged well in advance of the senior year and planned so as to enable the student to devote full time to student teaching during the semester in which the course is to be completed. Required for all students who are following the professional education core that leads to teaching as a career. Prerequisite: Completion of professional education requirements and Admission to Teacher Education. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required. Passing scores on Praxis II examinations.
EDCI 4900 Multicultural Education (3). [formerly EDCI 490] A course designed to develop awareness, understanding, and sensitivity to the needs and interests of ethnic and cultural groups. The differences and similarities that characterize individuals and groups should be cherished for their worth and cultivated for the benefits they bring all people.
EDCI 4950 Practicum (6-9). [formerly EDCI 495] This course is designed for teacher education candidates who hold teaching positions in approved schools and wish to satisfy the student teaching requirement in their current position. Practicum students are supervised by the school principal designee and the university supervisor. Prerequisite: Passing scores on Praxis II examinations.
Special Education (EDSE)
EDSE 3330 Education of Exceptional Children (3). [formerly EDSE 333] A course that explores principles, characteristics, and special needs; local and state programs for diagnosis and care; educational provisions in regular or special classes, home teaching, social and vocational guidance. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field Experience required. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
Reading Education (EDRD)
EDRD 3100 Strategies for Successful Test-taking (1). [formerly EDRD 310] A course designed for selected students. The major purpose of the course is to provide instruction that will facilitate the development of skills and techniques related to extending competencies in test-taking. Students must complete prescribed laboratory activities.
EDRD 4190 Exploring the Language Learning Process (3). [formerly EDRD 419] A course that covers current theory concerning the nature of reading, language, and learning as well as an overview of school reading-language arts programs.
EDRD 4240 Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (3). [formerly EDRD 424] A course that includes methods, materials and modern practices and trends in the teaching of reading at the elementary school level. Required only for students pursuing teacher certification in grades K-9 or K-12. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field Experience required. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
EDRD 4820 Teaching Reading Language Arts to Exceptional Learners (4). [formerly EDRD 482] A course that covers language characteristics and the special reading-language arts needs attendant with the exceptional learner. The course is designed especially for the regular classroom teacher. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field Experience required. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
EDRD 4900 Directed Individualized Study in the Teaching of Reading (1-3). [formerly EDRD 490] An individualized study. Consent of Instructor. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field Experience required. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.
EDRD 4910 Reading and Study in Secondary Schools (3). [formerly EDRD 491] A course designed for all subject matter teachers. Teaching strategies, designs, and materials for teaching comprehension, advanced study skills and vocabulary; formal and informal teaching pupil abilities and interests are covered. Required only for students pursuing teaching certification 7-12. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field experience is required. Documentation of current professional liability insurance is required.