School of Education adds new course, new program

     Stumbling upon the chalk outline of a make-believe victim, students were required to solve a crime scene mystery when they entered Dr. Mary Ellen Durham’s class recently. In spring 2006, Dr. Connie Chester will send her first class of pre-school teachers out into the world.
     The addition of a new teacher licensure program and a newly revised course for graduate students in education has expanded the capability of Campbell University’s School of Education to reach more students and add new dimension to existing programs.
     Education 670 or Science Methods for elementary and middle grade teachers is offered as part of the A Plus Masters and Master of Education degree programs. The methods class provides a different perspective on a familiar instructional area, the teaching of science.
     “The whole nature of the class is to promote scientific literacy through discovery and inquiry teaching,” said Durham. “There’s no lecture in this class. The students assume the role of elementary or middle grade students and they participate as learners in the teaching strategies they will be using as science teachers.”
     To solve the make-believe crime, Durham constructed for her class, students had to perform scientific tests such as fingerprint analysis, chromatography (a test that separates the elements of a material) and footprint analysis.
     “They used the patterns and dimensions of the footprint to make body measurements such as height and weight,” Durham said. “They used chromatography testing on the ink from several different markers in order to determine which one was used to write a cryptic note left near the victim’s body.”
     It’s an exciting approach to developing students’ interest in math and science, Durham added. Instructional time allowed to focus on these subjects has been greatly modified in the public school curriculum to accommodate preparing students for end-of-grade tests.
Dr. Connie Chester looks forward to spring 2006 commencement services when her first class of Birth to Kindergarten (B-K) teachers will graduate. Chester is the coordinator of the new licensure program that is part of the Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum.
“B-K is designed for students who want to work with pre-school children,” said Chester, “children with or without special needs.”
     The B-K program at Campbell is a response to the demands of state funded programs like Head Start and More at Four. “There is a tremendous need for people who are certified to teach this age group,” Chester said, “and there aren’t that many programs being offered. Many of these programs hire teachers on the condition that they will obtain B-K certification.”
     The B-K curriculum is a combination of a liberal arts core, special studies in B-K education and a core of professional education courses. It provides teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively with typical and atypical children in a variety of settings, including public schools, developmental centers, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, day care, and infant and nursery schools. The first group of Campbell B-K students will perform practicums in fall 2005 and student teaching in spring 2006.
     “One of the most attractive things about the program is that students will be qualified to teach in a general education pre-school or a special needs setting,” said Chester. “We are really excited about the career opportunities the program opens up to our students.”
For more information on the Master of Education program and the B-K licensure program, contact the Campbell University School of Education at (910) 893-1630 or (800) 334-4111, ext. 1630.


Photo Copy: Students in Campbell University’s Science Methods class for elementary and middle grade teachers use scientific methods to solve a crime.

Bulletin 0001-5/20/05