MAT
with a focus on Elementary Reading and Literacy (K-6)
The Master in the Art of Teaching (MAT)
with a Focus on Reading & Literacy is a program of study
that accomplishes two goals. First, it concentrates on developing
instructional leaders. Second, it concentrates on the content
knowledge elementary teachers need in order to be effective
teachers of reading and literacy.
The program incorporates the Five Core
Propositions (principles of teaching) as described by the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
It is an expectation that upon completion of this degree,
teachers actively apply these principles:
- Teachers are committed to students and learning.
- Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those
subjects to students.
- Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student
learning.
- Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn
from experience.
- Teachers are members of learning communities.
- The program also incorporates the International Reading Association
(IRA) Standards for Reading Professionals. These standards
emphasize content knowledge and professional practice that
is evidence of this knowledge.
Each of the MAT degrees consists of 10 courses, made
up of core courses and specialty courses. Six core courses focus on content
that all teachers need to know regardless of grade level and/or subject area
and four specialty courses that focus on the content specific to each program.
Descriptions for each of the courses are listed below:
Courses
> EDU 568 Teacher as
Leader
As the first course in the MAT program, Teacher as
Leader establishes foundational knowledge and introduces
participants to current research related to teacher
leadership. A growing body of evidence seems to show
that teacher leaders can initiate positive school reform
and actually sustain it. This course focuses on these
teacher leaders and examines the specific characteristics
of successful teachers. Participants become reflective
practitioners as they study the current state of education
and many of the leading reform efforts. They learn
leadership strategies, and then apply them in their
classrooms, schools, and communities. Participants
set personal goals outlining ways they can strengthen
their commitment to student learning and achievement.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Articulate a personal vision and philosophy of teacher
leadership
- Utilize skills for self-assessment as effective practitioners
of pedagogical, curricular, and technological expertise
through reflective practice
- Collaborate productively and positively within a
professional learning community to be more effective
practitioners
- Use their communication skills to build a positive
climate in schools and a sense of community
> EDU 569 Understanding
Teaching and Learning
This course focuses on the intricacies of how people
learn. It establishes a firm foundation necessary for
instructional leaders to make intelligent decisions
about the types of teaching strategies and instructional
plans they utilize in their classrooms. The course
covers recent research related to theories of learning
and cognition. Participants are asked to apply these
theories in their classrooms so that they will use
their knowledge of learning theory to strengthen their
instructional practices and commitment to student learning
and achievement.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Learn to make intelligent decisions about effective
teaching strategies
- Develop a critical perspective on learning and cognition
regarding educational equity for all students in matters
of gender, ethnicity, and culture
- Apply learning theory to instructional practices
- Strengthen their commitment to student learning and
achievement
> EDU 570 Instructional
Design
This
course establishes a comprehensive way for teachers
to engage in unit planning and instructional design.
Based on the intensive backwards-design model (Understanding
by Design) of Wiggins & McTighe, teachers learn
to "create" curriculum rather than "cover" it.
Participants integrate assessment into their planning
and create a sequence of learning experiences that
logically and meaningfully help students meet required
learning goals. In addition, participants learn how
to align their instructional design to state and local
standards.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Examine the three stages of the Understanding by
Design (UbD) model
- Compare and contrast the UbD framework with the one
they are currently using
- Support the meaningful context of a lesson by identifying
the "essential questions" students will focus
on
- Complete a unit plan that incorporates all three
stages of the UbD framework
> EDU 618 Effective Assessment
Because today's educational climate demands attention
to national, state, and district standards, high-stakes
testing is part of the educational landscape that all
teachers must learn to navigate. This course grounds
teachers in effective ways to assess their students,
and how to use this information to modify their instructional
practices. Beginning with understanding the many types
of assessment methods, participants examine the specific
purposes of each and how best to use different assessments
in their classrooms. Participants learn how to design
effective assessments to meet the particular needs
of their students and teaching situations. Techniques
to involve students in their own assessment are also
included.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Identify and define different assessment methods
according to three categories: Assessment of Learning,
Assessment for Learning, and Assessment as Learning
- Examine different grading systems and apply one that
best communicates student progress and achievement
to others
- Analyze multiple sources of data to identify patterns
in student learning and knowledge
- Draw conclusions, and change or modify teaching practices,
based upon assessment data
> EDU 501 Teacher as
Researcher
This course provides the opportunity for teachers
to: reflect on and assess their teaching; explore and
test new ideas, methods, and materials; assess the
effectiveness of the new approaches; share feedback
with others; and make decisions about which new approaches
to include in their classroom practices. Participants
complete an individual research project aimed at a
particular problem specific to their classroom situation
that addresses student achievement. Next, participants
engage in action research, data analysis, and creation
and implementation of a plan of intervention based
upon their research findings.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Examine the theoretical foundations of action research
and develop an action research plan
- Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative
data collection techniques
- Analyze and interpret data according to proven processes
- Share and critique action research projects
> EDU 622 Meeting the
Needs of All Students
This course provides teachers with proven strategies
to help them reach all of their students regardless
of ability, language development, race, socioeconomic
status, gender, and/or learning challenges. Practical
and ethical techniques to meet the needs of special
student populations are included. Participants learn
how to apply strategies to increase student engagement,
address students' individual learning styles, and verify
the effectiveness of the strategies used. Strategies
for strengthening partnerships with parents to facilitate
academic achievement of students are also explored
and implemented.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Explain and demonstrate what it means to teach responsively
- Deepen understanding of student variance, and apply
strategies to support cognitive impairments, difficulties
attending to task, learning disabilities, English language
learners, above-average abilities, and students who
are at risk of failure
- Identify, examine, and apply the nine attitudes and
skills of teaching that help all learners
- Employ classroom management techniques that allow
for flexible instruction and support responsive teaching
> RDG 500 Foundations
of Reading and Literacy
This
course provides teachers with a comprehensive knowledge
base in the reading process and facility with the most
effective instructional and assessment techniques.
Based on research with internationally recognized reading
specialists, this course enables participants to identify
effective theories and principles for teaching reading
in the five major components of the reading process-literacy,
phonemic awareness and phonics, fluency, vocabulary,
and comprehension- and to apply the most effective
instructional plans, methods, and resources in their
practice. In addition, the course focuses on methods
for assessing reading progress in individuals and groups,
and ideas for differentiating instruction for diverse
learners.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Examine issues related to
motivating students to read, and create physical
spaces that support reading and writing and critical
thinking
- Explore the research foundation and instructional implications of effective literacy practices including the five areas of reading identified as key to reading success
- Examine elements of effective
teaching and learning as they come together in one
instructional sequence, and focus on how to improve
their instructional techniques
- Plan instructional strategies
and techniques based on students' needs, teach
while checking for understanding, and reflect based
on evidence of student achievement
> RDG 605 Assessment & Intervention
for Struggling Readers
This
course focuses on the particular needs of elementary-aged
children who struggle to read, but it also stresses
the needs of struggling readers of all ages. Participants
will study the research base that explains the common
causes for reading difficulties. They will apply research-based
instructional strategies to help students increase
their reading fluency and comprehension. Participants
will also develop an intervention plan to help all
their students meet grade-level standards.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Define and describe the characteristics
of a struggling reader
- Identify and diagnose a particular
struggling reader and his/her needs
- Implement research-based instructional
strategies specific to the needs of struggling readers
- Develop an intervention plan
that aims at increasing the achievement of all students,
including struggling readers
> RDG 610 Reading in
the Content Areas
This
course focuses on ways to integrate effective reading
strategies into all subject areas of the curriculum.
Participants learn strategies for supporting the comprehension
of nonfiction texts and the development of content-area
vocabulary, as well as motivational techniques for
reluctant learners.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Employ effective instructional strategies to engage
all learners in the reading of informational texts
- Develop subject-area vocabulary that aides in the
comprehension of content-specific material
- Utilize strategies that help students make connections
to prior learning
- Support the engagement and learning of struggling
readers
> RDG 615 The Reading
and Writing Connection
This
course focuses on the writing process and its role
in literacy development. As students become fluent
readers, they need to balance their literacy time with
various types of writing. Participants apply research-based
instructional strategies to integrate writing into
all subject areas. Specific techniques such as mini-lessons,
error analysis, conferencing, and using portfolios
are addressed. Each step of the writing process is
examined as participants design units of study for
their teaching practice.
Course Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
- Identify, define, and explain
all stages of the writing process
- Create learning experiences
in which students respond to literature before, during,
and after reading
- Employ the use of writing
portfolios to measure the growth of writing ability
over time
- Examine ways to support the
independence of reading and writing in the classroom
If you would like a complete listing
of all the degree programs and course descriptions, please click here. |
