This course examines those trends and issues that affect educators which are based on psychological and sociological research. Emphasis is placed on evaluating these trends and issues from a perspective of usefulness and quality. This course examines how belief structures undergird the methods educators use to motivate people to learn. Through the light of ethical theory students examine how people respond to the situations they face in their lives. Students also reflect on and apply their own values and ethical understanding to shed light on case studies that represent situations they often face as teachers.
Teachers spend their lives in a social interchange with students, peers, and their community.
This social interchange requires them to be knowledgeable in solving problems, building consensus, resolving conflict, and establishing community connections. These skills are most effective when people, within a school community, agree on values that shape the mission of their organization. Thus, this course examines how school organizations develop their shared values that enable them to build character in their students and meet organizational goals. Special emphasis will be placed on students reflecting on their own mental models of the world. The seminar will provide group and faculty assistance to teachers conducting an actioin research project in their classroom or school.