Problem behaviors such as defiance, disruption, aggression, self-injury and property destruction are major concerns in our schools. First students will receive instruction on basic principles of behavior support, and application of these principles to the design of successful classrooms. Even teachers with excellent classrooms, however, encounter students who present dangerous and difficult problem behaviors. As such, the second focus of EBS courses is on the assessment, design, and implementation of behavioral support for individual students. The third focus in on the design of behavior support at a school-wide level.
Current research suggest that behavior support is more than an individual by individual issues.
Effective behavior support involves the design of school-wide systems of instruction that promote appropriate behavior. Technology courses will provide depth and breath in the use of a variety of educational media for K-12 classroom use. Students will explore topics such as the influences of visual and auditory information on social attitudes and values, learn about informational media resources not included in previous IT courses, develop challenging and intriguing educational materials, and fantasize about future transformations in teaching and learning because of emerging technologies. The practica provide technology apprenticeships in educational settings with experienced professionals who will help students develop hands-on experience with assisting others in solving hardware, software, network, and other media problems. Students will also take responsibility for an extended learning and research project to be produces and presented in the practicum setting.