Master of Arts in Teaching (Early Childhood / Childhood Education) Course Descriptions

ECCE500 Applying Theories of Child Development and Learning (5)

Study of the major theories of children’s physical, cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, and linguistic development from birth into pre-adolescence. Cognitive processes in academic, home, and community contexts are explored. Developmental theories and processes are applied during home visits to incoming learners/families, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to make developmental theory “real” by enhancing one’s understanding of the theoretical child to inform one’s understanding of individual children.

ECCE501 Theoretical Foundations of Educational Approaches (4)

Inquiry into the philosophical, social and historical roots of contemporary educational approaches to teaching and learning, including Olivet University’s and Academy’s philosophy. Contributions of major educational leaders will be explored, particularly contemporary influences in multicultural education, inclusion of learners with special needs, and the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) learners. The professional and ethical responsibilities of early childhood and childhood educators will be addressed. These philosophies and responsibilities are applied during the design of the Olivet Academy school environment, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to make foundations of education “real” by enhancing one’s understanding of the way that public spaces in the school environment introduce, enhance, and sustain a particular philosophy of teaching and learning.

ECCE502 Designing Curriculum and the Learning Environment (5)

Establishing a framework for understanding and developing curriculum based on principles of growth and development as well as philosophical approaches to education. Examination of and reflection upon questions emerging when creating physical, academic, and social learning environments. The goal of the course is to make curriculum design “real” by applying one’s developing understanding of child development, theories of education, and principles of curriculum in creating one’s own classroom environment including school year routines and norms.

ECCE 503: Christian Philosophy of Education (5)

This course examines the foundations of teaching profession, including a study of the historical and philosophical argument for Christian Education. Emphasis is placed on developing a biblical philosophy of Christian Education.

ECCE510 Investigations into Child Study and Assessment (5)

Setting the stage for assessment of children’s growth, development and learning in Early Childhood and Childhood educational settings. Formative and summative assessment strategies and tools will be explored. Practical application of theory is grounded in the assessment of three learners and the design of a class-wide assessment plan, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to make assessment developmentally appropriate and useful by integrating one’s understanding of child development with principles and practices of assessment.

ECCE511 Exploring Art and Movement (4)

Study of key elements of art, aesthetic appreciation, movement, and physical education grounded in neurocognitive, developmental and critical multicultural perspectives. This course stresses the relationship of expression in and through the arts and movement to aspects of teaching and learning in other areas. Art and movement from diverse traditions are included to address children's cultural and linguistic backgrounds  Practical application of theory and principles is grounded in the design and implementation of an integrated art and movement unit, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to develop children’s artistic expression, aesthetic appreciation and physical activity and health so that children are active, expressive, and healthy for life.

ECCE512 Fostering Literacy Development (5)

Study of theories and principles of literacy learning, assessment, and instruction at the Early Childhood level. Emphasis is on enhancing the classroom literacy environment and exploring instructional strategies that support all children’s development, consistent with the Reading and Writing workshop approach adopted by Olivet Academy. Practical application of theory and principles is grounded in the assessment of three learners and the design of a literacy thematic unit, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to make literacy learning developmentally appropriate and engaging so that children become readers and writers for life.

ECCE520 Enhancing Scientific Habits of Mind (4)

Study of key concepts in the development of scientific habits of mind in Early Childhood and Childhood levels. Emphasis is on enhancing the classroom science environment and exploring instructional strategies that support children’s development. The goal of the course is to develop children’s scientific habits of mind so that children are science-attuned, adept, and enthusiastic for life.

ECCE521 Developing Mathematical Thinking (4)

Study of key concepts in the development of mathematical thinking in young children. Emphasis is on enhancing the classroom mathematics environment and exploring instructional strategies that support all children’s development. Practical application of theory and principles is grounded in the design and implementation of a mathematical unit consistent with Math in Focus adopted by Olivet Academy, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to develop children’s mathematical thinking so that children are math-attuned, adept, and enthusiastic for life.

ECCE522 Enriching Literacy Development through Information Texts (4)

Study of theories and principles of content area literacy learning, assessment, and instruction at the Early Childhood and Childhood levels. Emphasis is on enhancing the classroom literacy environment and exploring instructional strategies that support all children’s development in the content areas consistent with the Reading and Writing workshop approach adopted by Olivet Academy. Practical application of theory and principles is grounded in the assessment of three learners and the design of a subject matter thematic unit emphasizing informational texts, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to make content area literacy learning developmentally appropriate and engaging so that children become non-fiction readers and writers for life. 

ECCE530 Differentiating Instruction for Developmental Variations (4)

Means for understanding educational, social, cultural, linguistic and developmental implications of disability from diverse and historical points of view and the needs of learners with disabilities. Course includes categories of disabilities, identification and remediation, and effective practice for planning and designing instruction. Practical application of theory and principles is grounded in the assessment of learners with special needs and embedding appropriate differentiation strategies into unit plans, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to ensure that all teachers can teach to all children with an emphasis on developmental expectations, educational progress and effective interventions so that they become life-long learners.

ECCE531 Facilitating Language Acquisition and learning (4)

Foundational approaches and techniques for the differentiation of instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse students from the perspective of second language acquisition research. Emphasis is on enhancing the classroom environment and exploring instructional strategies that support all children’s development in all content areas and modalities. Practical application of theory and principles is grounded in the assessment of CLD learners and embedding appropriate differentiation strategies into unit plans, required field experience component of the course. The goal of the course is to ensure that all teachers can teach to all children so that they meet College- and Career-ready standards.

ECCE532 Partnering with Families and Communities (5)

The dual focus emphasis in this course opens the doors to families and communities as school partners and as settings for social studies curriculum and experiences in constructivist classrooms. Communicating with families, building relationships, and accessing resources through and with families and communities underpins the approach to learning about the world, its people and each other. Practical application of theory and principles is grounded in the development of a family communication plan to contextualize a set of community-based, social studies learning experiences, required field experience component of the course and the culminating thesis project of the MAT program. The goal of the course is to ensure that all teachers can teach to social studies standards in an authentic way to develop the social scientists of tomorrow.

ECCE 533 Data and Research (5)

This course focuses on how to evaluate student learning and achievement using in-depth quantitative research. Students will learn how to assess standardized test scores and classroom work and identify methods to improve the curriculum.

ECCE 534 Theory and Practice of Counseling (5)

A study of major counseling theories and issues related to therapeutic practice with emphasis on practical application.

ECCE 535 Learning and Motivation in Classroom Contexts (5)

Examination of the influence of cognitive and motivational factors on students' learning in classroom contexts, with an emphasis on implications for classroom instruction and improved student achievement.