Hybrid Courses

In-depth examination of the teaching methods, literacy concepts and development, and materials which are utilized to support and scaffold children's literacy acquisition from birth to the primary grades. Addresses a foundational understanding of the components of reading including phonemic awareness, concepts of print, phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing. Examines early literacy assessment tools and how to implement interventions for diverse learners. Investigates language development, children's literature, and classroom strategies for early literacy instruction.

Effective classroom and behavior management skills to build individual responsibility and self-discipline, promote self-regulation, and maintain a positive learning environment. Research-based classroom and behavior management techniques, classroom community building, positive behavior supports, and individual interventions.

This course is an interinstitutional, interdisciplinary course that explores the multifaceted relationship between diverse cultures, societies, and education systems. Drawing from different perspectives, this course will provide insights on the discourses of education in different socio-cultural contexts. The course entails comparative studies of contemporary issues in society and education in the United States and Switzerland, fostering an appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism, and elucidating the impact of societal structures on the philosophy and practice of education. The course will be a collaboration jointly taught by a lecturer from the University of Richmond (USA) and a lecturer from the FHNW University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland). Using technology and online platforms, there will be joint classes with the students from both universities. The students will also have the opportunity to collaborate around joint projects and overarching assignments.

In-depth examination of the teaching methods, literacy concepts and development, and materials which are utilized to support and scaffold children's literacy acquisition from birth to the primary grades. Addresses a foundational understanding of the components of reading including phonemic awareness, concepts of print, phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing. Examines early literacy assessment tools and how to implement interventions for diverse learners. Investigates language development, children's literature, and classroom strategies for early literacy instruction. Note: Field experience required.

Instructional design is the systematic and reflective process of translating principles of learning and instruction into plans for instructional materials, activities, information, resources and evaluation (Smith, 1999). This course combines knowledge of learning theory with technology skills to maximize the effectiveness of instructional design. Using hands on learning experiences students will acquire knowledge of instructional methods, digital tools and the principles of design.

EDUC 542U

Examination of reading, writing and critical thinking in secondary content areas. Specific techniques for teaching and assessing comprehensions, vocabulary knowledge, and study skills will be addressed. The effects of text organization and relationship between reading and writing are investigated. The course integrates theory with practice and is designed to help content area instructors learn how to integrate literacy principles into subject matter instruction. A strong emphasis will be placed on the elements of effective comprehension instruction. Literacy techniques designed to support the needs of diverse learners will be studied. Participants will learn strategies to foster motivation and appreciation of a variety of types of literature utilized for independent and collaborative reading. Note: Field experience required.

Effective classroom and behavior management skills to build individual responsibility and self-discipline, promote self-regulation, and maintain a positive learning environment. Research-based classroom and behavior management techniques, classroom community building, positive behavior supports, and individual interventions. Note: Field experience required.

EDUC 507U or EDUC 542U

Students will explore the 1) theoretical and practical basis to contemporary human resource administration in education with a focus on school and central office level leadership and 2) the theories, policies, and expenditures of school funds. Human resource topics will include legal issues, global staffing challenges, internal and external recruitment strategies, selection interviews, equal employment opportunities, and retention strategies. Study of fiscal leadership addresses the practice of educational finance within the public school structure; funding of private schools will also be addressed. Topics of school budget, financial accounting, purchasing and supply problems, school equipment, and school insurance will be studied. Funding mechanisms at the federal, state, and local levels will be reviewed. This course is designed to reflect Virginia¿s Uniform Performance Standards for Principals with specific performance standards related to organizational operations concerning human resources and fiscal leadership.

Students will apply their coursework to modern education settings and reflect on where and how the lessons and theory from those courses are relevant to working and leading in today's schools. This includes assessing how and where strategies and ideas explored in previous coursework can be infused into school leadership.

The course provides a survey of children's literature with emphasis on recent trends and evaluative criteria used in selecting books based on school and recreational needs and interests of young readers. Course participants will explore multiple genres, including historical fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, traditional literature, nonfiction, and multicultural, and ways of integrating these books into curricula.

Study of how change theory supports the successful implementation of positive change in school settings. Study includes identifying new needs and trends in schools and education policy, equity measures that support the success of all students, and preparing for and successfully embracing change. Students will explore demographic shifts, shifts in student needs, the evolving relationship between schools and their greater communities, new policies, and successful transitions involving policy, personnel, and student body.

This course includes an overview of business strategy and emphasizes the role of human resource management and development for effective strategy implementation. Models of organizational diagnosis and change, transformational leadership, reengineering, divesting, merging, acquiring, and downsizing are examined from a strategic and operational human resource perspective. Students will learn project management skills and integrate their course work by undertaking a major company-based project.

Focuses on the origins, size, scope and composition of the nonprofit sector; operational issues encountered in the management of nonprofits; and the development of strategic solutions to manage and move the sector forward. Topics include theory, public policy, advocacy, management, collaboration, culture, strategy and innovation.