Education

Education

Central Oregon Community College offers a number of courses and programs for students seeking careers in education and related fields.

For students with an interest in early childhood education, including the early primary elementary years, the College offers courses and programs with a foundation in the theoretical, social, historical, and legal aspects of early childhood programming. For students considering licensure for K-12 teaching opportunities, transfer programs, including the Elementary Education AAOT, prepare students for direct work with young children in classroom settings, learning environments outside of schools, and transfer to four-year and licensure-based programs.

Please see the Education page for program and contact information.

Courses

ED 101 Introduction to Education Practicum and Seminar (3 Credits)

Recommended to be taken with: WR 121Z.

Provides 60 hours of K-12 classroom experience to help students decide early whether teaching is a good fit. Provides weekly reflection and discussion in seminar related to the course content and field placement observations. Requires a criminal history check for placement in a K-12 classroom.

View Course Outline

ED 103 Outdoor Teacher Training (1 Credit)

Offers experience in an outdoor learning environment. Includes training to lead a cabin group of students through a three to five day camp session. Covers leading outdoor education sessions, campfire programming, and team-building activities. Requires a criminal history check, recording observations, and completing reflection assignments.

View Course Outline

ED 112 Children's Lit & Curriculum (3 Credits)

This course provides an overview of children's literature across the early childhood curriculum (preschool-primary grades) from a curricular perspective. Different genres of children's literature will be examined as it relates to curricular areas: literacy, math, science, history, health, movement, music, and the arts. This course is recommended for early childhood and education majors. This course will address the importance of literacy acquisition of young children (preschool through the primary grades) and how children's literature can support co-curricular standards, goal, and objectives.

View Course Outline

ED 114 Mathematics for Early Learning Educators (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: MTH 015 (or higher) or minimum placement Math Level 7.

Covers core concepts of mathematics recommended by state and national guidelines for early childhood educators. Facilitates development of the skills and dispositions needed to design, teach, and support classroom curriculum for mathematics to children through six years of age.

View Course Outline

ED 140 Introduction to Early Childhood Education (4 Credits)

Beginning course in early childhood education which focuses on the teacher as a professional (advocacy, ethical practices, work-force issues, associations); provides strategies to manage an effective program operation; how to plan a safe, healthy learning environment; and gives an overview of the philosophy and history of ECE. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 141 Youth Mentoring and Advocacy (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: Prior experience volunteering or working with youth.

Provides the opportunity to develop leadership, supervisory, and mentoring skills by participating in youth advocacy civic engagement through community service projects and volunteer roles (field placement). Topics include creating safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate activities, team work, communication techniques, group dynamics, project management, organization and evaluation. Appropriate for those interested in supporting youth both in and out school settings, including after-school programs and specialized areas of focus, including: creative arts, recreation, academic support, and enrichment.

View Course Outline

ED 150 Environments & Curriculum in Early Childhood Education (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Utilizes knowledge in child development to design, implement and evaluate activities in the major domains of development for children ages birth to 8 years. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 151 Observation & Guidance in Early Childhood Education Learning (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Introduces observation techniques and tools to accurately collect data on children and how to use assessments to make appropriate decisions about the child's needs regarding programming and the early childhood education environment. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 152 Family, School and Community Relationships in ECE (3 Credits)

Introduces communication skills needed to enhance partnerships between families, schools and communities in early childhood education. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 172 Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Covers language and literacy development as it relates to early childhood education. Also covers the history of literacy development, the family's role, how young children learn to read and write, using books with children, concepts of print, comprehension, differing abilities in literacy development, and the role of observation and assessment. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 173 Movement, Music and the Arts in Early Childhood Education (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Introduces physical education, rhythmic activities, visual arts, and performing arts in the early childhood years. Covers basic motor skills and artistic processes, from a developmental perspective. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 174 Math, Science, and Technology in Early Childhood Education (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Introduces program and curricular activities that enhance a child's development of math, science, and technology understanding and skills. Processes explored are constructivist in nature, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 176 Supporting Social, Emotional, and Mental Health in Early Childhood (3 Credits)

This course provides the student with knowledge about common social, emotional and mental health concerns in early childhood and explores developmentally appropriate classroom guidance strategies for supporting children’s social and emotional skills.

View Course Outline

ED 180 Co-op Work Experience ECE: Education Theory in Action (1 Credit)

Recommended to be taken with: ED 112 or ED 200 or ED 216 or ED 219 or ED 253.

Provides experience in a K-12 classroom. Applies course content and learning theories in an interactive learning environment. Places students in classroom with mentor teacher guidance. Requires criminal history check. Repeatable for credit. P/NP grading.

View Course Outline

ED 195 Early Childhood Education/Education Conference (1 Credit)

Attend the annual Early Learning Conference, held in collaboration with the Central Oregon Chapter of the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children and community education partners on COCC’s Bend Campus. Includes latest education research, teaching strategies, culturally responsive pedagogy, and other topics presented by leading working educators. Participate and reflect on the conference sessions attended.

View Course Outline

ED 196 Communication and Collaboration in Early Childhood Education (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Introduces students to the communication concepts, skills, and strategies that will support their relationships and work with young children, families, and colleagues in the early learning environment. Focuses on the context of communication that commonly occurs in early learning environments. Prepares students to be professional and informed advocates for young children, while fostering communication skills that will lead to building connections between early learning settings, schools, and community organizations and agencies.

View Course Outline

ED 199 Selected Topics: Early Childhood Education (1-4 Credits)

This course is in development.

View Course Outline

ED 200 Introduction to Education (3 Credits)

Surveys education field and foundations, especially the teaching profession and education's societal role. Explores philosophical, economic, legal, ethical, historical, psychological, and social foundations of teaching and learning. Provides overview of educational methods and approaches. Addresses field specializations and prospective teacher training requirements.

View Course Outline

ED 210 Practicum in Teaching (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 121Z and ED 200 or instructor approval.

Acquaints potential educators with roles and responsibilities of teachers at elementary and secondary levels. The student will observe and work as an instructional assistant in a local classroom to assess interests and potential for making teaching a career. ED 210 includes six hours field placement per week.

View Course Outline

ED 216 Foundations of Education (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 121Z.

Analyzes the system of education in a democratic society. Introduces the historical, social, philosophical, political, legal and economic foundations of education to provide a framework from which to analyze contemporary educational issues.

View Course Outline

ED 219 Multicultural Issues in Education Settings (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 121Z.

Examines the context of working with students, school, communities and workplaces. Explores the diversity of learners, learning cultures (urban, suburban, and rural) and the diversity among learners within those different cultures. Considers the influence of culture on one's learning.

View Course Outline

ED 224 Anti-Bias Curriculum in Education (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Early childhood comprises a critical timeframe in human development for building a foundation for identity and meaningful engagement in an increasingly diverse world. Future educators and early learning advocates will develop awareness of cultural consciousness in early childhood and elementary classrooms. Focuses on identity development, ethnocentrism, racism, stereotype threat, and discrimination. Includes techniques for developing multi-cultural, anti-bias curriculum specific to early childhood and elementary classrooms.

View Course Outline

ED 235 Teaching and Learning in a Digital Age (3 Credits)

This course will explore the integration and application of technology into the early childhood and primary elementary years curricula. Students will investigate, discuss and apply the theories and practices of educational technology specifically within the context of early childhood education. Additionally, students will develop skills and knowledge that will enable them to use responsibly various technologies to create and assess technology-enriched learning environments that reflect developmentally appropriate practices while being engaging and safe.

View Course Outline

ED 240 Purposeful Learning and Active Exploration through Play (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Explores why open-exploration, discovery, and play are fundamentally important parts of children's development, the role of play in learning, and ways that adults can support and promote play. Considers current research and implications of play, as an important vehicle for developing self-regulation as well as for promoting language, cognition, and social competence, in an era of standards-driven curriculum. Prospective early childhood and elementary educators will grow in their understanding of their role in facilitating children's learning. Focuses on the role of purposeful learning and active exploration through play through the elementary grades.

View Course Outline

ED 243 Nutrition, Health and Safety for Young Children (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Provides an understanding of the essential elements of health, safety, and nutrition for young children. Methods and materials for enhancing motor development will be examined.

View Course Outline

ED 245 Trauma Sensitive Classrooms (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140, ED 200, or ED 265.

Addresses the role of the education environment in supporting lifelong coping mechanisms. Addresses the impact of stress on children's overall development. Explores Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the role of mindfulness and resiliency-based programs to address and mitigate the effects of early trauma. Addresses the impact of stressors on children's participation, relationships, and overall success in learning environments. Explores strategies and resources for designing and leading Trauma Sensitive Classrooms.

View Course Outline

ED 250 Advanced Curriculum Development & Teaching Methods in Early Childhood (4 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 121Z, ED 140, ED 150, and ED 151.

Compares and contrasts various teaching methods for children ages 3 to 8 years. Focuses on constructivist teaching methodology and strategies, based on best practices in early childhood education. Three hours of supervised weekly field placement required.

View Course Outline

ED 253 Learning Across the Lifespan (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: WR 121Z.

Explores how learning occurs at all ages from early childhood through adulthood, major and emerging learning theories, individual learning styles including one's own learning styles, self-reflection on implications of how learning occurs, and the impact of these issues on the development and delivery of instruction.

View Course Outline

ED 265 Children at Risk (3 Credits)

Issues of child abuse are presented from the multidisciplinary perspectives of education, criminal justice and psychology. Topics covered include definition and prevalence of child abuse, lifelong effects, prevention, identification and intervention. The course will focus on biopsychosocial outcomes and education concerns, as well as legal processes and implications from criminal justice.

View Course Outline

ED 269 Overview of Special Education (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 140.

Acquaints students with the exceptional child and his/her family. Provides an overview of the referral process and resources available for exceptional children and their families. Explores typical and atypical development and common delays and disabilities in all domains of child development. Includes discussion about teaching methods and strategies that are adapted or modified to meet individual child needs. Requires three hours of supervised weekly field placement.

View Course Outline

ED 280A Early Childhood Education Practicum I (3 Credits)

Students participate in weekly online discussions and six hours of practicum work in an ECE setting. Students select, with their COCC practicum supervisor, an appropriate early learning practicum placement. All ECE courses required for an Early Childhood Education AAS degree need to be successfully completed before taking ED 280A. P/NP grading.

View Course Outline

ED 280B Early Childhood Education Practicum II (3 Credits)

Recommended preparation: ED 280A.

Students participate in weekly online discussions and six hours of practicum work in an ECE setting. Students select, with their COCC practicum supervisor, an appropriate early learning practicum placement. P/NP grading.

View Course Outline

ED 290 English Language Development in the Primary Classroom (4 Credits)

This is an introductory course that will explore how to best meet the needs of English Language Learners in early childhood and elementary classrooms. We will examine how language skills are acquired and how to assess what stage of language acquisition students are in. We will also explore a variety of effective teaching strategies and materials that can be used in the classroom to help students develop both social and academic language proficiency. Three hours of field placement is required.

View Course Outline

ED 298 Independent Study: Education (1-6 Credits)

Prerequisites: instructor approval.

Recommended preparation: prior coursework in the discipline.

Individualized, advanced study in education to focus on outcomes not addressed in existing courses or of special interest to a student. P/NP grading.

View Course Outline

ED 299 Selected Topics: Education (1-4 Credits)

This course is in development.

View Course Outline

Outside of
expected

Use the COCC Catalog to find extraordinary classes and degree programs. Start your journey here »