Instruction:
Teaching and Learning

Master of Education

About This Program

Program Purpose

The Master of Education in Instruction: Teaching and Learning degree program is designed for educators who are interested in the in-depth study of teaching and learning focused on effective and reflective practices while developing skills to become leaders of teachers. Candidates study research-based practices to acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a culture of learning, designing programs that promote student learning, and engaging in personal inquiry of a professional practice. Candidates explore personal practices and reflect upon ways to improve teaching and learning and provide collegial leadership. The program addresses best practices related to teaching-learning, instructional planning, student achievement and performance, curriculum development, culturally diverse learning environments, and educational reform.

Program Competencies

The program competencies adopted for the Master of Education in Instruction: Teaching and Learning degree program are the Model Standards for Teacher Licensing, Assessment, and Development from The Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) (2011) by the Council of Chief State School Officers. The M.Ed. in Instruction: Teaching and Learning degree program is designed to enable candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the following program competency standards.

Standards

  1. Learner Development
    The teacher understands how children learn and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
  2. Learning Differences
    The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that allow each learner to meet high standards.
  3. Learning Environments
    The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
  4. Content Knowledge
    The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to ensure mastery of the content.
  5. Applications of Content
    The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
  6. Assessment
    The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher's and learner's decision making.
  7. Planning for Instruction
    The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
  8. Instructional Strategies
    The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
  9. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
    The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, and other professionals in the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
  10. Leadership and Collaboration
    The teacher seeks appropriate leaderships roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, and other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Outcomes Assessment

Multiple assessments are used to determine candidate growth toward achievement of the knowledge and skills described in the Master of Education in Instruction: Teaching and Learning degree program competencies and the college-wide graduation competencies. Performance-based assessments are used to evaluate projects, assignments, and research papers. Goals, learning outcomes and activities, external assignments, and assessment strategies are linked directly to program and graduation competencies as stated on each course syllabus. Other assessment strategies may include mentoring sessions and observations of candidate performance in authentic settings.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2018-2019 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2018 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.