The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008 - (Page 12)

Department Highlight Curriculum & Instruction T he largest department at UNI, Curriculum & Instruction prides itself on preparing tomorrow’s teachers through active involvement in classroom experiences and numerous opportunities working with master teachers in area schools. Mary Herring, interim department head, explains that faculty members are committed to providing active involvement for students in their classes. “These hands-on experiences allow students to learn state-of-the-art education trends,” she says. C&I includes six divisions: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle Level Education, Literacy Education, Instructional Technology and School Library Studies. The department is comprised of 46 faculty members and includes 72 percent of the undergraduate students at UNI and 24 percent of the graduate students. Elementary education majors alone account for 11 percent of the students on campus. It’s also the largest curriculum and instruction department among Iowa’s state universities. “With President Allen’s emphasis on UNI becoming the center for teacher education in Iowa, we’re working to make UNI be THE place for pre-K- 8 education,” Herring stresses. To that end, here are highlights of most recent Curriculum & Instruction initiatives that serve the state and nation. 2 The Early Childhood Education division is leading the statewide initiative to improve preschool education for all Iowa four-year-olds regardless of income status. In early May, they sponsored Early Childhood Summit IV for administrators, consultants and program specialists on the topic of program assessment and professional development. The keynote speaker was Bridget Hamre, University of Virginia, and co-author of the CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) instrument that can be used for both assessment and professional development. In the Elementary Education program, students progress through a carefully planned sequence of courses that lead them to fully understand children and how they learn. Recently, 80 percent of UNI teacher education graduates found teaching jobs - the others decided on another career path. Of those new teachers, 72 percent are teaching in Iowa schools. The Middle Level Education program has an ongoing relationship with an area middle school where UNI students visit classrooms and tutor middle school students in their class work. Students also learn to teach students with different learning abilities, manage a classroom and include technology in classroom activities. The Instructional Technology division will start offering its new Technology Facilitator Certificate program in the fall. (See article under Program Highlights.) A master’s degree statewide cohort program in instructional technology is beginning this summer and will target current teachers to take their skills to the next level. This division also prepares graduate students for jobs in the corporate setting through the master’s degree in performance and training technology. A media minor, not focused on teacher preparation, is available for undergraduate students as well as an educational technology minor for K-12 education majors. The School Library Studies program develops K-12 teacher librarians with the leadership and instructional skills to teach students and help teachers find the best materials to support classroom learning. Located in the Rod Library, this division is offered at the master’s degree level primarily through distance education or as a specialization for elementary or secondary teacher education students. Literacy education faculty immerse students in practical experiences to learn to teach children to read, write, listen, speak and think. Their newest initiative is a virtual community to support new teachers beyond the UNI campus. University of Northern Iowa College of Education http://www.uni.edu/coe/ci/ http://www.uni.edu/ http://www.uni.edu/coe/

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The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008 Contents PLS Recommended For Statewide Mission Iowa Legislature Funds Regents' Math/Science Initiative School Counselors Reinstated For All Iowa School Districts Human Performance Center Dedicated DVDs Illustrate Early Childhood Education Standards UNI Leads in Solving Shortage of Special Education Teachers Iowa Initiative to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies Service to Special Olympics Olympic Champ Brings Coaching Techniques to UNI Meet Tomorrow's Promising Educators Len Froyen Multicultural Initiatives in Teaching Program Technology Facilitator Certificate Program Offered in Fall UNI Only Regents University Offering Technology Teacher Preparation Curriculum and Instruction All-University Professional Development Day Premieres Barb Hill - Known to All Teacher Education Majors Teacher Work Sample - A Window Into Students' Teaching Faculty and Student Award Winners Graduates - Where Are They? Career Notes UNI College of Education Receives 1.1 Million Dollar Gift Scholarship Needed

The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008

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