Educ 5272 Advanced Practices For Teaching The Stem Fields At The Elementary And Middle School Levels

EDUC5272: Advanced Practices for Teaching the STEM Fields at the Elementary and Middle School Levels

Course Description:

This course focuses on the mathematical and scientific concepts taught in the elementary and middle school, with an emphasis on research on the teaching and learning of mathematics and the theoretical and empirical foundations of the teaching and learning of science. Attention will be given to how students acquire mathematical understandings and to how different groups experience mathematics instruction. Methods for teaching the scientific method, doing laboratory work as inquiry-based learning, and exploring the relationship of science, technology and society will be discussed. Use of technology in teaching discrete areas of science (life, physical, earth) as well as in an integrated science approach will be covered.

Required Textbook and Materials:

The main required textbooks for this course are listed below, and can be readily accessed using the provided links. There may be additional required/recommended readings, supplemental materials, or other resources and websites necessary for lessons; these will be provided for you in the course’s General Information and Forums area, and throughout the term via the weekly course Unit areas and the Learning Guides.

This course does not contain a main textbook; resources to all required reading will be provided in the course Learning Guide for each week.
To access the LIRN resources you must log in to Moodle and access the Library and Information Resource Network (LIRN) located under the Resources link on the Home page. Click on the Alphabetical View tab at the top of the page and scroll down to the database where the resource is located (eBook Central, ERIC, Gale, etc). Copy and paste the title of the resource into the search bar. A link to the resource will appear. If you have any problems please contact [email protected].

Software Requirements/Installation:

No special requirements.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Analyze ways in which the developmental needs of students and the classroom environment impact mathematics and science learning.
2. Apply research-based curriculum, assessment, and differentiated instruction to a diverse elementary and middle school mathematics and science classroom environment.
3. Analyzes the advantages of using a developmentally appropriate, active learning approach for teaching STEM at various age levels.
4. Apply a problem-solving, critical thinking, active learning, and the scientific method to teaching STEM.
5. Integrate technology into mathematics, science, and engineering teaching and learning.
6. Engage in ongoing development as a teacher of STEM.

Course Schedule and Topics:

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Setting the Stage for Mathematics and Science Learning

Week 2: Unit 2 – Creating a Critical Thinking Frame for Learning

Week 3: Unit 3 – STEM Curriculum in Elementary and Middle Schools

Week 4: Unit 4 – Authentic Assessment of STEM Learning

Week 5: Unit 5 – STEM Instruction in Early Elementary School

Week 6: Unit 6 – STEM Instruction in Upper Elementary School

Week 7: Unit 7 – STEM Instruction in the Middle School

Week 8: Unit 8 – Developing as a STEM Professional