Differentiated Instruction (MA)

LBS1 and ESL/Bilingual Endorsements. Some of the classes required for this degree program can be applied toward the Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1) endorsement OR the Illinois ESL/Bilingual endorsement. These classes are marked with an (+/++) next to the course title in the curriculum list below.

Differentiation and Learning Theory

Introduction to the philosophy, learning theory and theoretical perspective of differentiation. Examination of ways that classrooms can effectively support differentiating instruction and assessment to address the complex challenges of meeting the diverse learning needs and levels of all students.

Providing Instructional Support

This course aims to instruct teacher leaders about the distributed nature of professional development; provide a theoretical understanding about concepts of induction, retention, and resilience; help manage the anxiety common to new teachers, and develop and apply a teacher support plan based on a case study of their choosing among several case studies provided in the course. These theories and strategies will be practically implemented through the development of an individual action plan that focuses on providing instructional support for teachers.

Curriculum and Instructional Development for the Differentiated Classroom

Candidates will develop knowledge and skills for planning, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating differentiated teaching and learning environments that challenge and assist diverse learners to achieve at their highest level of ability.

+ Instructional Methods of the Differentiated Classroom

Candidates will develop the knowledge and skills of how to build a democratic learning community inclusive of a broad set of effective teaching strategies. Through this process, the candidates will learn to shape and maintain learning conditions that facilitate effective differentiated instruction, including effective classroom management as an ongoing, maintenance-oriented process which involves motivating students to learn, providing appropriate instruction and feedback, and managing student work.

Assessment of Student Learning

This course enables teachers to develop an understanding of how to create, implement, and evaluate classroom assessments effectively and efficiently. A variety of assessment tools and types will be explored. Understanding the alignment of assessment to curriculum and teaching practices will be a focus.

+ Instructional Strategies for Students with Specific Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disabilities (LBS1)

This course is designed to examine the organization and implementation of curriculum, materials and management to facilitate acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of skills for students with learning disabilities. The course also examines the organization of the classroom and school environment for teaching and facilitating social, behavioral and emotional needs of students with emotional disorders. Also included are instructional planning and design, instructional and community goals. Includes 10 hours of field experience.

Instructional Coaching and Mentoring: Teacher Leadership

In this course students will investigate coaching models and principles of teacher mentorship. This course will examine the critical role of the teacher leader has in improvement of instruction and in the professional development of faculty.

++ Cross-Cultural Studies: Teaching the Limited English Proficient (ESL/Bilingual)

Analysis of the cultural, social, psychological, structural, and sociopolitical processes effecting cross-cultural learning in schools and the larger society.

Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum

This course is an introduction to the disciplined practice of integrating technology into teaching and learning. It provides an overview of current instructional technologies and theory-based design strategies for effectively using these technologies.

Capstone Experience

Seminar in Differentiated Instruction

As the capstone course, candidates will demonstrate differentiated teaching instruction in a field setting by designing a unit of study or block of instruction using differentiated strategies. Candidates will then teach the unit to students in an educational setting, analyze student learning gains, and reflect on their implementation of differentiated instruction. Candidates also will demonstrate their proficiency, knowledge and skills by integrating technology as a teaching and learning tool throughout the unit and its implementation.

+ Indicates a course that leads to the Illinois Learning Behavioral Specialist endorsement (LBS1)
++ Indicates a course that leads to the Illinois ESL/Bilingual endorsement (ESL/Bilingual)

Seminar in Higher Education (EDU 6015)

In addition to the base program curriculum, international students attending face-to-face classes on the CUC campus are required to take the Seminar in Higher Education, a 3-credit course. This requirement will not apply to international DBA students studying exclusively online.