=Fall 2014 Open House=
Last Saturday, the University hosted 100 prospective students and their families for the fall Open House event. College of Education faculty and staff met with interested students and shared information about our programs. Visiting our classes and faculty is the best way to learn about our majors and internship opportunities. Connect with us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to become the first to know about our latest news, events, workshop invitations, and scholarship opportunities!
=Center for Autism Support and Research=
The Center for Autism Support and Research is located in Shotwell Hall 108. It provides professional development opportunities for teachers, community awareness and outreach, activities for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, and research initiatives. The Center also includes the Individualized College Support Program. Two graduate students completing their MAED in Special Education staff the Individualized College Support Program and provide support for College students on the spectrum who need support. Thanks to Dr. Leann DiAndreth-Elkins (Assistant Professor of Special Education) and Ms. Nicole Davis (Instructor of Early/Special Education) for their coordination of the new Center.
=Book Making in the Children’s Literature Course=
Dr. Judy Stechly, Professor of Elementary Education, worked with the students in the Children’s Literature Course to create a “ME” book highlighting themselves – past and present as well as where they would like to be in the future. The class had a great book-making session in the Center for Arts and Education with Mrs. Rachel Shipley, Artist Educator Fellow. Ms. Lou Karas, Director of Center for Arts and Education, said, “students were in and out developing their final project.” The students shared their works with each other from their “Author’s Chair.” The students completed their projects by making a movie of their “Me” books. This week, Dr. Judy Stechly, developed a Nearpod presentation for her Children’s Literature Course. “We study authors so I highlighted Earl Carle and his works in a slide presentation as an example for the students. I can’t wait to share with them,” she said.
=Integrating Nearpod into Special Education=
Mrs. Sarah Schimmel, Assistant Professor of Special Education planned to integrate Nearpod as a substitution for teaching the development of communication and importance of variety our communication types. As part of SPED 241 “Introduction to Exceptionalities”, the students complete a final by performing American Sign Language. The students learn to fingerspell by signing the alphabet, number 0-9, and their names. Additionally, the students learn some basic communication words such as pain and watch as means of universally communicating with individuals who may be deaf, hard of hearing, visual learner, English as Second Language (ESL) learners, or even babies to name a few. The use of sign language becomes a universal way for these future professionals to communicate with all ages. “The interactive lesson created with Nearpod allows for a more hands-on approach to teaching this lesson,” she said.
=A Field Trip to the Chestnut Mountain Ranch=
Twenty-four faculty and students from the College of Education had the opportunity to go on a field trip to the Chestnut Mountain Ranch in Morgantown. The work of the Ranch is incredible; it is a school and residential community for boys having difficulty adjusting in home and traditional school environments. Its educational program is geared to help children develop spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially.
=Language Barriers: Opportunities for TESOL in Taiwan Forum=
Dr. Li-Wei Peng, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology, offered a scenario-based and interactive forum session as part of the International Education Month presentation series. Faculty and students had an opportunity to discuss the top tips to tackle language barriers when traveling abroad and the opportunities for TESOL in Taiwan. Dr. Peng also showcased how she has been leveraging technology to facilitate global learning between her students and pupils in Taiwan through the Synchronous Online Model for Assistance in Remote Elementary Schools English Teachers and Students English Learning program.
=Stability Ball Exercises in PE 211=
Students learned how to stay on the ball, literally, in the PE class! Students were forced to engage all their muscles. The benefit of stability ball exercises is that they are very effective at targeting core muscles and those muscles are essential for stability and good posture.
=hAPPy Friday Tools/Apps Learning=
The Interactive Physical Science (PS) Glossary app is a study and review tool for learning nearly 100 physical science (e.g., matter, energy, and change) terms and concepts, presented through simulations, video, science content, and flash cards. Teachers and students can search glossary terms by alphabetical order or physical science topic. Please watch the Tutorial Video for to learn a quick how-to.