SPN 580 - Innovative Practices in Education

(Cr: 3)

The course is designed to enhance the knowledge base for professionals in an era of school restructur- ing, technological innovation, and social change. Teachers and administrators will learn first-hand about innovative practices and recent research in the field. Topics include: student self-assessment, teacher reflection, cooperative learning, mentoring, the use of technology in schools, home-school communication, inclusion to support learning diversity, and the chal- lenge of school restructuring. Areas covered include learning theory, curriculum design, classroom atmos- phere, instructional strategies, among others. This course also covers the dilemma children face when they experience difficulties in learning situations because of ethnic group frustrations in the commu- nity, problems of social adjustment, socio-economic inequities, and learning gaps. The role of the school in facilitating the program for children of various cultures to become valued members of the community is discussed.