Technology is a necessary tool in teaching today's youth. In this clinical course, students focus on developing three broad skills: (1) how to design and teach an integrated social studies unit that challenges and assists K-8 students to think deeply, (2) how to incorporate into the plan a wide range of mostly constructivist instructional strategies, and (3) how to integrate a rich array of technology tools and digital educational content in a way that amplifies student learning.

Through the development of lesson plans in this clinical course, students demonstrate knowledge and expertise of a variety of instructional methods and research-based strategies to improve learning for diverse student populations facing complex individual learning challenges. Students will research instructional strategies and metacognition to determine its effectiveness in increasing independence, enhancing learning, and developing thinking skills in mathematics. Through their understanding of the principles of instruction, assessment, remediation, and technology integration, students develop a comprehensive math unit.

This clinical course focuses on the tools and procedures involved in the evaluation and determination of education disabilities. Under the supervision of the district mentor, students review school records, observe an evaluation team meeting, consult with district evaluators, review a variety of assessment tools and evaluation reports, and develop the skills necessary to administrator and interpret some of the assessments commonly used by special education teachers. The culminating activity of the course is the development of a formal assessment report.

This clinical course focuses on learning theories and their application to science instruction. Students examine a variety of instructional strategies through readings, observation and participation in their clinical placements, and determine the appropriateness of each in the learning process. Topics include constructivist learning, differentiated learning, and an in-depth look at how the state and national standards guide science instruction. Additional topics include integrated STEM curricula, the appropriate use of technology, and effective formative, summative, and alternative assessment strategies. Students plan, teach and evaluate an integrated thematic unit with lessons that align with Next Generation Science Standards.