Motivation, Safety and Community

Course:

EDUC 370/570**
Section: 795   ** EDUC 370 Sec 794 WE  - Undergraduates who want this class for Writing Emphasis GDR must take for 3 credits.  Please email Barbara Grover or call 715-346-3801 to register.
Credits: 3
Format: Online
Description: As educators and administrators in today's schools, our job is about more than lessons, homework, and grades. Some young people struggle with serious or crisis issues, including:

* Bullying (e.g., vicious teasing, cliques, online/cyber bullying)
* Body image (e.g., beauty ideals, anorexia, obesity)
* Addiction (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, pharming,
                   addictive behaviors)
* Mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder)
* Abuse (e.g., physical, mental, sexual)
* Sex (e.g., harassment, underage sex, promiscuity, "hooking up,"
         "friends with benefits," sexual identity)
* School violence

These issues can interfere with students' readiness and ability to learn. But beyond the academic impact, we have a professional and moral duty to help our students as people. Our help is particularly vital when young people are confused, at risk, or seriously hurt. Our efforts and our choices can be part of the solution. The more we know, the more we can help.

This course is designed to help us better understand these issues and what we can do to help our students. For most of these issues, there aren't simple answers or strategies. Instead, this course will include extensive surveys and self-diagnostics (including clicker-based classroom surveys). These activities will help us reflect on our individual perspectives, beliefs, and habits. They will also help us reflect on the unique experiences and strengths we can draw on to help students. When appropriate, we'll use facts, expert advice, and guest speakers to help (re)construct our approach to these issues.

This course has two central themes:

  • Nurturing a learning community. Such a community includes a connected, caring, collaborative, educative climate. Climate is a critical factor in many serious/crisis issues.
  • Being perceptive and proactive. Many serious/crisis issues can be mitigated or even minimized by proactive intervention, including early intervention and connecting students with specialists.

Teachers from all grades and disciplines should find this course provocative and useful.

Click here for more information about this course.
Textbook: None
WI Standards:

This course has been designed to meet the following Wisconsin Teacher Standards:

 

2

3

 

5

6

 

8

9

10
Instructor: Kym Buchanan
Location: Internet
Dates & Times: Start: June 1, 2008      (Registration open until June 30)
End: August 1, 2008
Limit: 20
Estimated Tuition: 3 credits - WI Undergraduate $678.75
  3 credits - WI Graduate $1086.90
Tuition reflects off-campus rate plus $60 TECHNOLOGY fee.

Click here for REGISTRATION Information

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