Practical Graduate Courses for Teachers
Currently, IWU/PLS classes in Indiana are not available to Kentucky educators.
PLS is always searching for extraordinary online facilitators to join
our instructor cadre. For more information, click here.
Online Graduate Courses A-L
Action Research for the Classroom™ Online
Action research is a process of inquiry and reflection in which educators examine their personal instructional practice systematically using the techniques of research. This online course addresses concepts associated with action research, the processes and procedures for conducting action research, culminating in the development of an action research plan.
Action Research in the E-Learning Environment™ Online
Action research is a process of inquiry and reflection in which educators examine their personal instructional practice systematically using the techniques of research. This online course addresses concepts associated with action research, the processes and procedures for conducting action research, culminating in the development of an action research plan.
Blended and Synchronous Learning Design™ Online
Given the growth of online teaching and learning, educators explore ways to incorporate best practices to meet the needs of all learners. This online course focuses on designing courses and activities for blended (part online and part face-to-face) and synchronous online learning environments.
Building Online Collaborative Environments™ Online
How can classroom teachers harness the power of online technologies like blogs, podcasts, and wikis for student engagement and learning? Course participants will experience the web as more than a source of information, instead as a means of constructing new knowledge through conversation, networking, and collaboration. Focus is on currently available tools and effectively utilizing them for student research, writing, and learning.
Classroom Management:Orchestrating
a Community of Learners® Online
Learn and practice skills for orchestrating classroom life and learning so that instruction flows smoothly, student misbehavior is minimized, and learning potential is maximized. Free yourself from constantly dealing with behavioral and organizational issues, and empower your students to take responsibility for their own learning experience. Create an Action Plan of practical strategies to implement immediately in your classroom.
Cultural Competence:
A Transformative Journey™ Online
Cultural Competence: A Transformative Journey™ Online equips experienced and beginning K–16 educators with the knowledge, awareness, and skills to work in today’s diverse classroom settings for the end goal of student success. Participants will be given opportunities to critically examine how privilege and power impact educational outcomes and to understand the role of educators as agents of change for social justice. Learners will use the framework of knowing yourself, your students, and your practice to better understand their role in student achievement. Diversity will be explored through multiple perspectives, providing participants with insight into how their own cultural lens impacts their relationships with students and families.
Differentiated Instruction for
Today’s Classroom® Online
Differentiated Instruction for Today’s Classroom® Online is a Performance Learning Systems® course that equips experienced and beginning educators with the essential knowledge and skills to implement differentiated instruction (DI) successfully in their own classrooms. As a widely respected, research-based instructional approach, DI provides teachers with effective, manageable strategies for meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse student population within the context of today’s challenging standards-based curriculum. In a highly interactive learning environment that models the DI principles and processes participants will learn, class members will gain expertise in understanding and implementing a broad range of strategies associated with three essential, distinguishing components of DI: first, the teacher’s role as guide and facilitator in a classroom environment specifically designed to support self-directed student learning and teacher-student collaboration; second, the interdependent nature of assessment and instruction in a DI classroom; and third, the implementation of specific instructional strategies to adapt the curriculum content, processes (activities), and products to provide students with entry points to learning that match their readiness, interests, and/or learning profiles.
Educating the Net-Generation™ Online
Educating the Net-Generation™ Online examines the learning styles, expectations and technical acumen of the Net-Generation and explains the implications for classroom learning environments. During the course you will learn the key differences between the generations and how those differences can be bridged through sound instructional design techniques. You will also learn how to leverage the gadgets, games and gizmos of these students to create pedagogy that meets their needs and transfers knowledge from teacher to student.
Geometry for Middle School
Teachers™ Online
This online course offers opportunities for participants to increase their knowledge and understanding of the central geometric concepts the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has recommended for middle grade learners: transformations, symmetry, isometries, tessellations, and Pythagorean Theorem.
Instructional Design for Online Educators™ Online
Instructional design is the process of developing instruction beginning with an analysis of the learner and learning needs. The Instructional Design for Online Educators course focuses on the development of skills and knowledge related to the design of online instruction with a real-world virtual classroom as the context. Participants will begin with analysis of learning needs in an online classroom and progress through the development of an instructional plan designed to meet student requirements for successful online learning.
Learning to Read: Beginning Reading Instruction™ Online
Learn to implement a balanced, integrated approach to teaching beginning reading centered on scientific strategies aligned with state and national reading research initiatives. These specially designed curriculum resources and teaching strategies will enhance the reading process across all areas of the curriculum. Teachers will have access to an interactive CD-ROM and other resources to offer every student the opportunity to successfully learn to read.
Online Graduate Courses M-Z
Merging Educational Goals and
Interactive Multimedia Projects® Online
Explore ways to incorporate interactive multimedia projects into your classroom. Meet your state’s standards requirements in ways that motivate your students. Empower your students to move beyond rote learning into problem solving, collaborating, researching, designing, testing, and communicating
Purposeful Learning Through Multiple Intelligences® Online
Develop an understanding of Howard Gardner's intelligences and learn how to apply them in your classroom. View a multitude of Web sites, experience the intelligences personally, and create lesson plans you can use immediately. Engage in meaningful discussions with your course facilitator and fellow classmates through online forums.
Reading to Learn: Comprehension Instruction™ Online
Discover the best ways to help your students construct meaning from what they read. Examine scientifically based comprehension strategies and learn how to adapt them to your classroom and/or content area. Assess student progress and adjust your teaching to become more effective. Use an interactive CD-ROM and other resources to offer every student the opportunity to achieve at higher levels in all subject areas.
Secondary Content Methods™ Online
This course examines the content in the secondary school content curriculum standards and helps students make connections among the higher level courses they have taken in college and the material taught in secondary schools.
Simulations and Gaming Technologies for the Classroom™ Online
Simulations and Gaming Technologies for the Classroom ™Online offers strategies to engage students in complex problem solving, sophisticated collaboration, and creative expression through the medium of video games. During this course, participants will evaluate learning games to determine their effectiveness and suitability for the classroom. Participants will also become familiar with contemporary gaming technologies, enabling them to understand the pedagogical models behind games and how gaming models may be used for learning.
Strategies for Middle School Science Teachers™ Online
This course examines the methods, strategies, and curriculum of the successful middle school science classroom. Participants will investigate the unique characteristics of the middle school learner and become familiar with a variety of techniques to involve those students in a meaningful educational experience in science.
Successful Teaching for Acceptance
of Responsibility® Online
Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility is a Performance Learning Systems® online course that helps experienced and beginning educators create a classroom environment in which responsible behavior is modeled, taught, and supported. Participants will explore the underlying causes of irresponsible behavior and learn specific strategies associated with four instructional approaches that empower students to be self-directed, responsible learners: helping students develop personal power, helping students use effective mental models, teaching students appropriate behaviors, and developing skills for positive student confrontation. As participants learn to mentor, model, coach, and facilitate responsible actions in their students, they likewise develop increasing responsibility and personal power in their own professional practice.
Teaching Algebra to Middle School Students™ Online
This course provides an overview of and an opportunity to review the major concepts necessary to teach algebra to middle school students. Among the several core competencies that students need to develop strong skills in algebra is algebraic number sense. Teachers will have opportunities to evaluate their own mastery of algebraic number sense, develop a stronger number sense, and explore ways to help students enhance their own number sense.
Teaching the English Language Learner™ Online
Teaching the English Language Learner™Online (formerly: Survey of ELL Methodology™ Online) equips educators with the skills, resources, and best practices to design and deliver appropriate instruction for standardsbased English-language teaching.
Teaching Through Learning Channels® Online
Explore learning style preferences and develop brain-compatible strategies to address them through multisensory teaching. Discover how to address students’ basic motivational needs in a learning environment incorporating a variety of brain-compatible techniques.
Using Online Resources to Bring Primary Sources to the Classroom™ Online
To understand how digital primary source archives can enhance and improve student learning, participants will use online resources to access and analyze primary sources, think critically about classroom applications, and develop authentic, engaging learning experiences for students.
FAQs
Please Note: **Registration for online courses closes at 8 a.m. EST, 1 WEEK prior to the start date with the exception of INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, which closes 2 WEEKS before the start date.**
How are online courses organized?
Courses are available on the Internet 24/7, and all interactions take place using the Blackboard Learning Management System. A facilitator guides participants through the course — leading discussions, grading assignments, and providing personal feedback. Assignments are due on a weekly basis.
How much time is required for these courses?
The time commitment is comparable to a face-to-face graduate course. Courses run for nine weeks, and participants can expect to spend 6-8 hours per week completing assignments and interacting with classmates through online discussions. (Actual time will vary depending on participants’ individual working styles.) There are no scheduled meetings; however, weekly interactions are required.
What special software or technology is required?
In addition to a computer, Internet connection (high-speed preferable), and a working email account, PLS courses have the following technical requirements:
- Preferred Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Mac OS 10.3
- Preferred Browsers: Blackboard does not operate properly when using AOL. For an optimal experience, use Internet Explorer 6.1 (PC), Internet Explorer 5.2 (Mac), or Safari 1.2 (Mac).Mozilla Firefox 2.0 works well for both PCs and Macs.
Updated versions of Web browsers are free from the following links:
Internet Explorer , Firefox , Apple Safari
Please note:
• If using Internet Explorer 6.0, security settings must be set to accept cookies and allow popups.
• If using Internet Explorer 7.0, please add pls.blackboard.com to your list of trusted Web sites by going to: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy tab > Sites
• When using the Microsoft Vista operating system, participants may experience problems sending messages within Blackboard courses. If so: Log into the course>Click on Personal Information on the left of the screen>Click Visual Text Box Editor Options>Change “Set Availability” to Unavailable>Click Submit>Log off and then login back in to the course. - Required Software: Microsoft Word
- Required Web Browser Plug-In: Adobe® Acrobat® or Adobe® Reader™
This plug-in is required to view any of the PDFs within a course. Adobe® Reader™ may be downloaded for free using the following link: Adobe
How much interaction is there between the facilitator and participants?
PLS online courses are highly interactive and community-based. From the first welcome email to the closing self-reflection, the facilitator is an integral part of the course experience. Participants appreciate the warmth, enthusiasm, and expertise of PLS facilitators.
Are these courses accredited?
Yes. PLS partners with more than a dozen regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities to offer three-credit graduate courses — PLS offers the courses and the college or university grants the credit.
See more Frequently Asked Questions by clicking on a course title to the left, then clicking on its "FAQ" tab.
**PLEASE NOTE: Registration for online courses closes at 8 a.m. EST, 1 WEEK prior to the start date with the exception of INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, which closes 2 WEEKS before the start date.
*Materials sent outside of the U.S. will incur additional shipping and handling charges.