Fall Preview 2008 Course Offerings
In alphabetical order. Brooklyn College graduate courses have a course number as well as a title. Please note that all graduate courses may also be taken for in-service credit.
In-Service Offerings $90.00 per credit or $270.00 per 3 credit course/Brooklyn College Graduate Offerings $600.00.
New Student? Take $20.00 off the tuition of your first in-service course.
Mail registration, register on-site, e-mail us your registration or call 631-473-8500.
E-mail your registration: liips@optonline.net
Courses still being added >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On-line courses: Work at your own pace!
The Effects of Nutrition on Learning (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE September 12 - October 17, 2008 (registration open until October 3, 2008)
Students are often bombarded by the media with unhealthy food choices. Teachers have the ability to help students understand the ramifications of their food choices in improving physical health and mental alertness. This course will examine the political, economic, medical, and social paradigms within the educational system and their connection to nutrition. We will explore the correlations between nutrition, exercise, learning, cognitive development, and behaviors as observed within the school environment. This course is suitable for all educators, K - 12! All must work must be submitted by October 17, 2008.
Instructors: Norma Egic and Laurie Graziano
Crash Course in Special Education (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE September 15 - November 1, 2008 (registration open until October 3, 2008)
Course Description: Special Education topics are constantly changing as are our students! This course will touch on a variety of current topics dealing with Special Education students. The information provided will help teachers to effectively deal with Special education students and to meet the needs of every learner. This is a great class for any teacher from beginner to the veteran! You can work at your own pace. All work must be submitted by November 1, 2008.
Instructor: Joe Bienz
Methods and Ways To Improve Your Classroom (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE September 15 - November 1, 2008 (registration open until October 3, 2008)
Course Description: This class will discuss ways and teach you some methods to improve your classroom. Ideas and methods will be studied using your computer and the Internet. Interactive activities will be heavily used throughout this course. Lessons will be designed to use in your classroom. This course is a must for all teachers and it is appropriate for any grade level or subject area K - 12. You can work at your own pace. All work must be submitted by November 1, 2008.
Instructor: Joe Bienz
Sharing Poetry with Children
(3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only NEW COURSE!ON-LINE September 17 - October 24, 2008 (registration open until October 3, 2008)
Course Description: Class will center around making poetry a vital component of a students language and literature programs. Helping to inspire students to write and experience poetry is the objective. The class answers the relevant questions around incorporating poetry in all areas of the curriculum, and offers answers to: That is poetry? How do poems work? Why should we share poems with children? How can we present poems? How can we assist children to write poems? Encourage students of all ages to experience the power of poetry. This courses is suitable for all educators, K - 12! All work must be submitted no later than October 24, 2008.
Instructor: Sal Lentini
Dealing with Difficult Parents (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only (registration open until September 26, 2008)
ON-LINE
Course Description: A
course designed to develop the necessary teaching skills needed to promote a
positive atmosphere when presented with the task of gaining the support of
parents in your classroom setting. A variety of models, theories, and
philosophies pertaining to positive parental support will be explored and
opportunity for application will be provided.
Instructor: Hal Miskin
Family Impact on Education (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE
Course
Description:
As educators, we have become increasingly aware of the many factors that can
influence a student’s ability to succeed in school. For many of our students,
it is clear that their home lives greatly impact on their school behavior and
performance. Those students living in an atmosphere of family dysfunction
will, unfortunately, tend to “bring” these problems with them to school.
Educators
must be prepared to address these issues while simultaneously keeping the focus
where it must be - helping students to learn and succeed. Often, our role
as teachers seems to be more far-reaching than it used to be; the boundaries of
what we do as teachers has, in many ways, expanded. This course will
examine the connection between students’ home lives and their school
performance. As teachers, we are the ones most likely to observe
changes in students’ behavior, academics, peer relationships and appropriate
interactions with adults. At times, these situations can even affect the
overall climate of your classroom and thus must be recognized and addressed.
Suitable for all educators and counselors, K - 12.
All work must be submitted by
October 30, 2008.
Instructor:
Judi Weissman
Safe
ON-LINE
Course
Description:
Safe school initiatives have become a priority for schools across the country.
Safe schools are essential to young people’s academic success; as educators,
we must be able to assure our students that school is a safe place where they
can learn without fear of violence. The “No Child Left Behind” act ensures
that all students will have the opportunity to attend a safe school.
Course participants will study programs and solutions
currently being used to prevent the occurrence of violent incidents in our
schools. School policies regarding discipline, security and crisis preparedness
will also be examined. Teachers will be given information that will help
them identify and address risk factors in student behavior that might lead to
incidents of violence. Problems such as bullying, gangs, and aggressive
behavior toward peers or teachers will also be studied. Information will
be offered through extensive handouts, assigned readings and group projects.
We can make our schools safer if we understand
what leads to violence and the interventions that will prevent it. School
violence may reflect the violence in our communities and neighborhoods;
therefore, schools are most effective in confronting school violence when the
community around them provides support.
Successful programs have been initiated in schools
throughout the country. We must create the programs that we strongly believe
will work for our own students, integrating the best resources our schools and
communities have to offer. This class will address concerns for all
educators and counselors, K - 12.
All work must be submitted by October
30, 2008.
Instructor: Judi Weissman
Enhancing Literature Instruction Through Technology and Media
(3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit onlyON-LINE
Course Description: It is increasingly important for teachers to become comfortable using technology as a part of their classroom instruction. This course will explore the diverse ways in which the literature teacher can incorporate technology and media into their curriculum and lesson planning. Participants will receive a broad variety of materials focused on instructional strategies for the language arts classroom. Additional study will review the New York State Learning Standards and examine how technology instruction can correlate with the state’s objectives. Participants will create activities designed to increase their students’ performance on ELA exams.
A primary goal of this class will be to help teachers use technology to motivate students and create learning experiences that are applicable to real life. Studies have suggested that when instruction is enhanced with technology, student engagement and academic performance dramatically increases. Explore how technology, media and social software can improve learner motivation. This course is suitable for educators, K - 12. All work must be submitted by December 4, 2008.
Instructor: Debra Spucci
Educational Partnerships in the 21st Century (3 Credits/45 hours) in-service credit only NEW COURSE!
ON-LINE October 6 - October 31, 2008 (registration open until October 14, 2008)
Instructor:
Establishing a Bully Free Classroom: How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence
(3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE October 6 - November 5, 2008 (registration open until October 14, 2008)
Course Description: It’s a deadly triad: bullies who terrorize, bullied kids who are afraid to tell, bystanders who watch, participate, or look away, and adults who dismiss the incidents as a normal part of childhood. This course will explain types of bullying, the differences between girl and boy bullies, how to protect children from being bullied, steps to toward educating the bully, how to help the bullied child heal and effectively discipline the bully and how to evaluate a school’s anti-bullying policy. Open to all K-12 teachers. All work must be submitted by November 5, 2008.
Instructor: Nancy Washington
Preparing
for State Assessments through Technology and Media
(3 credits/45
hours) in-service
credit only
ON-LINE October 20 - November 24, 2008 (registration open until October 31, 2008)
Instructors: Norma Egic and Laurie Graziano
Public Education- Current Concerns, Theory & Practices (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE October 27 - December 5, 2008 (registration open until November 3, 2008)
Instructor: Sal Lentini
Current
Educational Trends and the Impact on Instruction (3 credits/45 hours) in-service
credit only NEW
COURSE!
ON-LINE
November
3 - December 5, 2008
Course
Description:
The state of education continues to
change based on new policies, programs, issues, and events. In the past
decade, educational terms such as “accountability”, “standards”,
“assessments”, “technology integration”, and “professional
development” have been used on a much more frequent basis by educators,
community members, and even politicians. This course will take a close
look at the educational terms listed and will also explore school budget cuts,
the No Child Left Behind Act, and other trends that have impacted the 21st
Century classroom. Through this course, teachers will discover ways in
which they can change instructional plans and strategies to best meet the needs
of their students in these ever-changing times. This course is suitable
for all educators, K-12. All
work must be submitted by December 5, 2008.
|
Critical Thinking Instruction: How to Teach Problem Solving Skills to All Students (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only ON-LINE
November 3 - December 6, 2008 "We
should be teaching students how to think.
Instead, we are teaching them what to think." ~from
Cognitive Process Instruction Course Description: Critical thinking is an important and vital topic in modern education. One way of enhancing instruction in all subject areas is to infuse critical thinking into content instruction. Children are not born with the power to think critically, nor do they develop this ability naturally; it is a learned ability that must be taught. This course will provide participants with techniques for customizing curriculum in ways that ensure students will develop critical thinking skills. Students with critical thinking and problem solving skills are better prepared to tackle daily problems – both in school and in their personal lives. This leads to higher productivity in the classroom and greater independence in a student’s approach to all areas of his or her education. For students to successfully engage in critical thinking skills, they must utilize the upper domains of Bloom’s Taxonomy: analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Class materials, reading and research will cover Bloom’s theories as well as all aspects of critical thinking as it relates to students’ academic achievement. Teachers in all subject areas will be able to enhance student learning by developing strategies for instruction in critical thinking. Suitable for all educators, K - 12. |
The Internet as your Classroom (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE November 3 - December 17, 2008 (registration open until November 10, 2008)
Course Description: Wouldn’t you just like to put down those textbooks and jump into the future of education? This class will provide you with tools to use the Internet. There are tons of free resources that are just a click away! Web page studies, web site review, and lots of fun resources for your classroom. This class is great for any educator looking to expand their current bag of tricks. You can work at your own pace. Suitable all educators, K - 12! This class starts on November 3, 2008 and all work must be submitted by December 17, 2008.
Instructor: Joe Bienz
Multiple Intelligences: The Key To Increasing Student Competency
(3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE November 3, 2008 - December 16, 2008 (registration open until November 10, 2008)
Course
Description: The
study of “Multiple Intelligences” is an exciting and important way to
examine the various learning styles of our students. This becomes
increasingly relevant as we prepare students of varying abilities for the
mandated New York State Exams. Encouraging multiple intelligences within
our classrooms is a key to developing each student’s unique approach to
learning. We will be examining the pioneering theories of Harvard educator
Howard Gardner whose work has had a profound impact on thinking and practice in
education. Multiple intelligence research has particularly strong
ramifications in the classroom; it will help educators accommodate children
according to their different orientations to learning. Incorporating multiple
intelligence instruction increases student performance while simultaneously
helping students to become lifelong learners. A primary goal of multiple
intelligence theory is to enable our students to perform at their own highest
level. Find out how to unlock the academic potential of every student!
Suitable for all educators, K -12.
This
class starts on November3, 2008 and all work must be submitted by December
16, 2008.
Instructor: Judi Weissman
Ways to Make Your Classroom Fun! (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE November 3 - December 17, 2008 (registration open until November 10, 2008)
Course Description:
How would you like to make your classroom come alive this year? Well,
now you can! This class will focus on methods and strategies that will
not only enhance the learning process, but it will be fun and easy for your
students. Teachers will learn strategies; design and implement new
lessons in their classrooms, and have fun while doing it. This course is
a must for all teachers and it is appropriate for any grade level or subject
area K - 12. You can work at your own pace. This class starts
on November 3, 2008 and all work must be submitted by December 17, 2008.
Instructor: Joe Bienz
“NO
CHILD LEFT BEHIND” AND MANDATED STATE ASSESSMENTS: IMPACT ON CURRICULUM AND
LEARNING"
(3 credits/45 hours) in-service
credit only
ON-LINE
November 3, 2008 - December 16, 2008
(registration open until
November 10, 2008)
Course Description: Course Description: As educators, we are
responsible for providing instruction that will ensure students' success on the
large number of mandated assessments each year. Clearly, this has a great impact
on curriculum development and our daily lesson planning. The “No Child Left
Behind Act” requires states to create an accountability system for tests,
graduation rates, attendance and other indicators. Schools also have to
meet adequate yearly progress goals by raising levels of achievement.
This course will explore how the NCLB Act and the
mandated state assessments effect our classroom instruction, our students,
and our curriculum development. We will explore the impact the tests themselves
have on our students’ performance and learning competency. We will also
explore whether or not the new assessments have successfully fulfilled their
original purpose - to bridge the gap between test scores of students from
different socioeconomic groups. Through the use of readings and assignments
participants will have the opportunity to study all aspects of the NCLB Act and
state assessments. Teachers will use their classroom experiences and
observations to reach their own conclusions about the efficacy of the present
system of testing and accountability. Suitable for all educators, K - 12. All work must be submitted by December 16,
2008. Instructor: Judi Hearst Weissman
“Ethics
and Morality: Perspectives for Teachers”
(3 credits/45 hours) in-service
credit only
ON-LINE
November 3, 2008 -
December 16, 2008 (registration open until
November 10, 2008)
Course Description: Each day upon your arrival at school, it is likely
that you will have to make choices involving an ethical issue. Whether it
involves plagiarism, a fight you witnessed, or inappropriate behavior on the
part of a student or colleague, your own ethical code will come into play. This
course will explore the broad variety of ethical and moral issues faced by
educators and all school personnel. Classroom activities that encourage students
to examine their own values and ethics will be discussed. Additionally,
participants will develop ways to motivate their own students to display ethical
behavior in their academics and in their personal lives. Ethical decisions and
behaviors of school district leaders and administrators will also be examined.
Standardized testing and school laws related to ethics will be addressed, as
will local issues of ethical or moral lapses in our schools. Through a diverse
variety of readings and accompanying assignments, this course will aim to help
participants strengthen their own understanding of the ethical and moral
concerns educators must deal with. This class will provide extensive
opportunities to study issues of ethics and morality related to all aspects of
education and the school environment. Suitable for all educators, K - 12. All work must be submitted by December 16,
2008. Instructor: Judi Hearst Weissman
Classroom Management K-12 (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE
Course Description: A course designed to develop the necessary teaching skills needed to promote a positive atmosphere in the classroom. A variety of models, theories, and philosophies pertaining to classroom management will be explored and opportunity for application will be provided. A must of all educators, K- 12! This class starts on November 11th and all work must be submitted by December 22, 2008.
Instructor: Hal Miskin
Learning Disabilities (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE November 25 - December 30, 2008 (registration open until December 2, 2008)
Course Description: Learning Disabilities is a course which will provide a foundation of knowledge that will allow the teacher to understand the differences in learning disabilities and the related characteristics. Teachers will explore the historical perspective to understand how the laws throughout the years have changed to accommodate students who have been classified with a learning disability. Teachers will review a variety of materials, learn new strategies, and try new activities to develop innovative methods for creating lessons to assist students with learning disabilities. This course is suitable for all educators, K - 12. All work must be submitted by December 30, 2008.
Instructors: Norma Egic and Laurie Graziano
Behavior Modification: Succeeding with Difficult Children (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
ON-LINE December 15, 2008 - January 16th, 2009 (registration open until December 22, 2008)
Course Description: Course participants will learn how to build positive relationships with difficult students as well as how to guide students toward more constructive behavior. Additional aspects of this course will focus on building broken trust and developing positive relationships with more challenging students. We will identify when and why a difficult student misbehaves, and then develop and individualized plan based on the student's special needs. Intervention strategies to limit confrontations and the office referrals will also be discussed. K-12 welcomed. This class starts on December 15th and all work must be submitted by January 16th, 2009.
Instructor: Nancy Washington
Hybrid Courses: The perfect blend of classroom and on-line work.
Character
Education: Utilizing School and Community Resources
(3 Credits/45 hours)
HYBRID Smithtown
Site
Tuesdays October 7, 21, 28
Course
Description: Character education is now a mandated part of our
curriculum. New York State Education Law directs schools to “ensure that the
course of instruction in grades kindergarten through twelve includes a
component on civility, citizenship and character education.” In the school
environment, character education is a means of promoting integrity and
teaching students about the principles of honesty, tolerance, personal
responsibility and respect for others. The hope is that this instruction will
enhance the quality of our students’ lives as well as encourage them to make
positive contributions to their communities. A key component of the course
will be developing curriculum projects and relevant, grade appropriate
lessons. Character building must be a collaborative effort between our
schools and our communities. Integrity, compassion, and excellence are
universal principles that can be taught. Schools must lead the charge to
ensure that these qualities are instilled in our students; the result will be
better schools and stronger communities. Suitable for all educators, K - 12.
All
work must be submitted by November 18, 2008.
Dynamics
of Successful Teaching: Impact on Student Performance
(3
Credits / 45 hours)
in-service credit
only
What makes a teacher one of the “great
ones?” Our performance as teachers has a great deal to do with
students’ success in our classrooms. The teacher-student relationship
must foster academic achievement and be the foundation for a dynamic learning
environment. This course will examine strategies for creating a classroom
atmosphere conducive to student success. Many teachers today recognize the
importance of finding the right balance of professionalism and caring in their
relationships with students. In these challenging times, we are
increasingly called upon to take on many different roles as we perform our jobs
as educators. We must prepare our students for all of the mandated New
York State Exams and cover broader curriculum requirements as well. With
the help of articles and ideas from a variety of professional publications, we
will explore the dynamics of successful teaching and its impact on student
performance. When students genuinely enjoy being in a teacher’s
classroom, their performance improves. Learn how to be the kind of teacher
that students respect and admire. This course will give you the skills to
develop a learning environment that students will look forward to!
Suitable for all teachers, K - 12.
Introducing for late Fall 2008/Early Spring 2009 .....Graduate Hybrid courses....more information to come!
Courses will involve two in class sessions with the balance of work being completed online.
Traditional Classroom Courses:
SATURDAYS ONLY
719.T: LEARNING THEORY AND THE EDUCATION PROCESS (3 Credits/45 hours)
Graduate
or In Service
Smithtown Site
Saturdays November 15, 22 and December 6, 13, 20 ---------- 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Course Description:
Critical exposition, in light of recent research, of present developments
in learning theory and their import for education. Examination of the
psychological approach to such representative educational problems as drill,
rewards, punishment, meaning, organization, motivation, and programmed learning.
Recognizing and acknowledging the learning styles of all students will create a
positive school climate. Ideally, students should have multiple options
for taking in information and making sense of ideas. A primary objective
of this course is to provide educators with teaching strategies that will
successfully implement the most current research on how students learn. Focus
will include an examination of learning theories such as behaviorism,
brain-based learning, differentiated instruction, Piaget’s theories,
constructivism, social cognition, and observational learning. An overview
of
FRIDAYS ONLY
Thinking Inside the Box (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Smithtown Site Fridays 9/19, 26, 10/3, 10, 17, 24, 11/7, 14, 21, 12/5 4:30 - 9:00 pm
Course Description: The classroom being the box where students and teachers meet. What goes on at those meetings can be tedious or electric, prosaic or memorable. This course will enhance the range of the teacher's "learning style" and how to utilize them to best assist students in reaching and surpassing the New York State Learning Standards. Participants will receive an abundance of new ideas to share in their classrooms, but the best ideas will be generated by their own thinking. Instructor: Bruce Stasiuk
TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM COURSES:
726.1X Children and Youth with Special Needs (3 credits/45 hours)
Graduate or In-Service
Smithtown Site Tuesdays and Thursdays 10/14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, 11/6, 13, 18, 20, 12/2, 4 4:15 - 8:00 pm
Course Description: Survey of characteristics of children who are emotionally disturbed, mentally retarded, physically disabled and neurologically impaired and have learning disabilities. Implications for the classroom teacher regarding curriculum, management, and integration with normal children.
Instructor: Joe Bienz
731.3T Education and Ethics (3 credits / 45 hours)
Graduate or In-Service
Nassau Site Mondays and Wednesdays 10/15, 20, 22, 27, 29, 11/3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 4:30 - 8:15 pm
Course Description: Ethical problems in locating and justifying educational values; in determining the nature, source, and limits of the school's moral authority; and in influencing the child's sense of values, moral outlook, and ways of judging. Exploration of the ethics of teaching. Use of literature, drama, the visual arts, and theories of ethics and moral development to explore the ethics of teaching, character education and moral education. This course will explore a variety of ethical issues that are particularly relevant for educators. We will discuss moral questions for use in the classroom and explore ways to encourage students to think deeply about their lives and schooling. Character education will be addressed in the framework of motivating students to value and incorporate ethical behaviors into their everyday lives, relationships and education. Ethical leadership and decision making by those who run our schools will also be examined. The ethics related to our current methods of testing students will also be addressed, including the concerns about standardized exams for all students, regardless of their different abilities. Throughout this course, we will focus on ways to incorporate moral and character education into our own lessons and classrooms. Through a diverse variety of readings, group projects, and class discussions, this course will aim to help educators strengthen their own understanding of the ethical and moral concerns all teachers must deal with. This course is suitable for all educators, K-12. (Limit: 55 Participants)
Instructor: Anthony Grilli
Newspapers and their Use in the Classroom (3 credits/45 hrs) in-service credit only
Smithtown Site Mondays and Wednesdays 10/15, 20, 22, 27, 29, 11/3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 4:15 - 8:00 pm
Course Description: This course is designed to help teachers learn how to integrate newspapers into the curriculum. Techniques for teaching students how to read, examine, and use newspapers will be discussed. Creative and innovative activities and lesson will be examined. Teachers will practice many hands-on techniques for relating newspapers to any subject area and level. Newspaper book reports, editorial writing, and examining political cartoons are just some of the ideas that will be shared. Newspapers are an important source of information in our society, and students should be able to understand and use them effectively.
Instructor: Kim Tomlinson
Jump-starters and Motivators! (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Nassau Site Tuesdays and Thursdays 10/14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, 11/6, 13, 18, 20, 12/2, 4 4:15 - 8:00 pm
Course Description: Did you ever have that really great lesson, but couldn't quite figure out how to get it going? How are you going to reel those students in? Your "warm-up" or "do now" could be the most important element in your students' motivation. This course will be a "hands-on" journey to jumpstarting your daily lessons. Teachers will receive a variety of handouts and other useful materials designed to solve your "anticipatory set" dilemma. These stimulating exercises will effectively set the tone and immediately involve your students in the lessons presented. Students will be encouraged to take an active part in their own learning through strategies such as problem solving, classifying, perception, semantics and others. Activities are creative, challenging, and practical and can be adapted for all subjects and grade levels. Encouragement through positive teacher personalities and attitudes will also be discussed. So, why not, "jumpstart" your students every day. Suitable all educators, K - 12.
Instructor: Kim Tomlinson
Practical Spanish for Educators (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Smithtown Site Mondays and Wednesdays 10/15, 20, 22, 27, 29, 11/3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 4:15 - 8:00 pm
Course Description: Have you ever wished that you could communicate with your Spanish speaking students and their parents without a translator? If you have, then this course is for you. This course is designed for teachers, guidance counselors, administrators and other associated personnel who would like to be able to have basic conversations with students and parents in Spanish. You will be introduced to basic grammar structures of the language, as well as vocabulary specific to the school setting. We will focus on speaking and pronunciation. This course is designed for beginners, but all are welcome and will provide you with a practical approach to the language and will be geared to usage in the school environment. This course is appropriate for all teachers K - 12.
Instructor: Dana Robinson
726.2T Teaching in Least Restrictive Environment (3 credits / 45 hours) NEW COURSE!!!!!
Graduate or In-Service
Smithtown Site Mondays and Wednesdays 10/15, 20, 22, 27, 29, 11/3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 4:15 - 8:00 pm
Course Description: Strategies to integrate and support students with special needs in least restrictive environments. System and organizational change theories and strategies for developing models of inclusive education. Focus on curriculum and collaborative processes with other professionals including co-teaching, consultative, and itinerant models. Engagement of family members in collaborative efforts. Suitable all educators, K - 12.
Instructor: Anthony Gambino