Here you will find a listing and description of the core and education courses I have taken at the University of Dallas, along with samples of work from selected courses.
Literary Tradition I, II, III,
IV
American Civilization I, II
Western Civilization I, II
Philosophy and the Ethical Life
Philosophy of Man
Philosophy of Being
Understanding the Bible
Western Theological Tradition
Fundamentals of Economics
Principles of American Politics
History of Art and Architecture I
History of Art and Architecture
of Rome
Basic Ideas of Biology
Forensic Chemistry
The Calculus
Elementary and Intermediate
Spanish
Description of the University of Dallas Core:
Objectively speaking, the University of Dallas Core consists of a rigorous, two-year liberal arts curriculum which allows students to become independent thinkers. The requirements thoroughly cover what are known as the "Great Works" of western tradition, from Homer's Iliad to Plato's Republic to Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
From a more personal perspective, “The Core” provided me with a well rounded education which prepared me to think about a wide array of subjects in my own way. I believe these courses make UD an exquisite, unique institution with tremendously high standards and a quality education. Nearly every course is structured to build on the preceding courses in an interdisciplinary manner.
The Core culminated with four months in Rome, Italy, allowing me to see so much of what I had studied for the previous two years. During that time, I traveled to seven countries where I witnessed a vast array of cultures and traditions. I discovered many connections between past and present, providing me with a much deeper understanding of how society, government, and technology have evolved over time.
The foundation
established by this curriculum provided me with the necessary skills to think
for myself and look at situations from every perspective. I have utilized
these skills in not only in my university studies but also in my student
teaching and practicum experiences. From using the interdisciplinary
approach of The Core in my own lesson planning to communicating with bilingual
students in Spanish, I have been able to blend my learning experiences with my
teaching experiences in an extraordinary way.
Here is a link to the university's website describing the core:
University of Dallas Core Curriculum
Education Evaluation
Computer Problem Solving
Child Growth and Development
Reflective Teaching Seminars
Children's Literature
Developmental Reading
Elementary Science
Elementary Math
Integrated Curriculum
Principles of Education
Diagnostic and Corrective Reading
Philosophy of Education
History of
American Education
Education Course Descriptions and Work Samples:
ü Education Evaluation - Class website - Miss Cain's Instructional Unit
This course focused on the assessment and evaluation of students by creating an instructional unit using the concept of backwards design. In the course, I created a thematic instructional unit integrating art and Texas history. This course was probably the most valuable of all my education courses at the University of Dallas, because it challenged me to re-think the meaning of instruction and assessment through the creation of a unit I hope to use in my classroom.
8 Computer Problem Solving - Class website - Miss Cain's Work
My website actually began as a cumulative assignment for this course. Taken concurrently with Child Growth and Development, my work from each course was compiled as a website regarding moral development. However, this particular course gave me the confidence to use technology as a driving force in my classroom. It provided me with the tools necessary to integrate technology into my instruction and the work of my students.
! Child Growth and Development - Class website - Research Study
This course provided much depth in my understanding of children. Since it was one of the first education courses I took, the content of it resonated in every class and classroom experience afterward. Studying the cognitive, behavioral, and moral development of children allowed me to understand the capabilities of most children at any given age level and the effects that development has in the classroom. The course also gave me the opportunity to experience independent, cooperative, and research-based learning. Knowing the extent of learning that can occur in this style of education, I have already been able to implement some of these techniques in my own teaching experiences and they have worked fabulously.
$ Reflective Teaching Seminars - Class Website - Miss Cain's Work
The goal of this course is to allow future teachers to reflect on what it means to teach. Two semesters are required at my university, each focused around a different topic. My first semester was based around the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) and the second around the concept of school choice. Through cooperative learning, we worked in groups to research and present information on these topics in a seminar fashion. The course did just what it was intended to do - resulted in much reflection on teaching. It provided me with a knowledge base of central issues in education, allowing me to formulate my own thoughts and opinions through dialogue with fellow students.
Reading is critical in the learning process. It is the core of formal education and the affective domain, the desire to learn, in most people. This course focuses on how reading should become a passion for a child. Two major projects constructed the framework for the course: authoring our own children's book and creating an anthology of our personal "classic" children's books. I wrote and illustrated The Hole in the Fence, a picture book about two neighboring dogs who become best friends. My book will forever be a part of me and my classroom!
& Developmental Reading - The Effects of Vision on Learning (PowerPoint)
Developmental reading was structured to familiarize us with phonics instruction, basal readers, and various other approaches to teaching reading. A unique aspect of this course was the practicum in which we spent an hour a week working with students at a private school for children with learning differences. As a result, the course also dealt with ways of recognizing differences such as ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, and vision problems (above you will find a PowerPoint presentation my partner and I gave on the effects of vision on learning). In addition, I read and critiqued many recent articles related to reading instruction in the classroom.
' Elementary Science Concepts & Practicum
The university course taken in elementary science entailed revisiting the science concepts learned in elementary school as well as guidelines for teaching science. It was paired with a practicum at a local school where I observed and taught science three days per week.
+ Elementary Math Concepts & Practicum
I never knew how fun math could be for children before this course. With a strong focus on manipulatives, my professor enlightened me on the amazing techniques of giving children a strong math foundation. Between the time I spent in my university classroom and the three hours per week spent in a third grade classroom, I discovered that any child can learn math with the right instruction.
þ Integrated Curriculum - American Symbols Unit
This course focused on the Texas Social Studies curriculum as well as integrating disciplines in units. The course brought me to a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of everything in education. Some of the projects I completed included an interactive bulletin board of Texas, a unit on American Symbols, and a diorama of the regions of Texas.
The world of education is constantly changing. Everything from the lifestyles of students to theories and professional development of teachers fluctuates over time. Principles of Education provided me with the knowledge of classroom management skills, teaching methodologies, curriculum planning, and many other elements necessary to teach in today’s society. The course opened my eyes to aspects of teaching in the classroom which are so often overlooked by many people.
1 Diagnostic and Corrective Reading
This course emphasizes the need to strengthen reading in the classroom. It provides suggestions for diagnosing and prescribing solutions to problems that arise in the reading process. Through diagnostic instruments and the correct instructional approaches, difficulties in reading can be reduced and hopefully eliminated so that the affective domain for reading may flourish. This course provides a knowledge base for instructional approaches to teaching reading skills and the tools to assist those who struggle with reading.
Here I got the opportunity to read some of the writings of Plato, Jean Jacques Rousseau, John Dewey, and others. Exploring the questions that are connected to education and its practice, I deepened my love for both teaching and learning. The course taught me to reflect upon what it means to educate and be educated.
³ History of American Education
This course allowed me to delve into the development of education in America since its founding. As a result, I have come to a better understanding of what it means to teach today as well as how our education system has become what it is today. With this knowledge, I now better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of education that exist in the 21st century and hope to use this knowledge as a background for my own teaching.