Orton-Gillingham, STEM, and SEL Education Concentrations

The School of Education at Florida Southern College is pleased to offer three concentrations that address emerging trends in education. These courses offer educators an opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and strategies that are in high demand in the field of education. Future and current educators with an interest in furthering their pedagogical knowledge in these specialty areas are encouraged to apply today!

Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Instruction

The Orton-Gillingham Approach always is focused upon the learning needs of the individual student. Students with dyslexia need to master the same basic knowledge about language and its relationship to our writing system as any who seek to become competent readers and writers. However, because of their dyslexia, they need more help than most people in sorting, recognizing, and organizing the raw materials of language for thinking and use. Language elements that non-dyslexic learners acquire easily must be taught directly and systematically. Find more information at: Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL encompasses the idea that students (and teachers) can achieve positive goals and maintain social relationships in the classroom through self-awareness, emotional regulation, and understanding others. Research indicates that SEL is associated with better decision making, academic success, and positive attitudes toward one's self and others (Durlak et al., 2011). SEL is also conducive to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the classroom. Despite the research-based benefits of SEL on positive student outcomes, nearly half of in-service teachers do not receive SEL training (Bridgeland et al., 2013). This course offers students an opportunity to gain skills and strategies that are in demand in the field of education.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education

As global competition for advances in science and technology intensifies, many schools have been placing greater emphasis on STEM classes — science, technology, engineering, and math. Florida Southern’s STEM Education concentration will equip you with the tools needed to effectively integrate these topics into the everyday lessons of the classroom.

Course Schedules

Orton-Gillingham, STEM, and SEL Concentrations

Fall

EDU 1102 Introduction to STEM
Fall – Term 1EA
Cost: $330.00 Per credit hour (2 credit hours)

EDU 2202 STEM in the Classroom
Fall – Term 1EB
Cost: $330.00 Per credit hour (2 credit hours)

EDU 2661 SELF: Social-Emotional Learning Foundations
Cost: $330.00 Per credit hour (2 credit hours)

Spring

EDU 2662 SELF: Social-Emotional Principles and Practices in the Classroom
Cost: $330.00 Per credit hour (2 credit hours)

EDU 3302 Orton Gillingham for the Classroom Teacher
Spring – Term 2EA
Cost: $330.00 Per credit hour (2 credit hours)

EDU 3303 Orton Gillingham for the Classroom II
Spring – Term 2EB
Cost: $330.00 Per credit hour (2 credit hours)

Course Descriptions

EDU 1102 Introduction to STEM
Two (2) Credit Hours. The teacher candidate will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of STEM education as it applies to K-12 learners. Emphasis will be on foundational concepts of STEM education including the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into everyday curriculum.

EDU 2202 STEM in the Classroom
Two (2) Credit Hours. Prerequisite: EDU 1102. The teacher candidate will apply knowledge and understanding of STEM education as it pertains to K-12 learners. Emphasis will be on instructional practices of STEM education including the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into everyday curriculum.

EDU 2661 SELF: Social-Emotional Learning Foundations
Two (2) Credit Hours. Prerequisite: none. This course focuses on the historical underpinnings of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and the first two of CASEL’s five core competencies (i.e., self-awareness and self-management). Students in this course will draw from foundational concepts and theories across multiple disciplines to understand SEL. Additionally, students will explore and practice strategies that promote SEL to prepare them to incorporate SEL into their future classrooms.

EDU 2662 SELF: Social-Emotional Principles and Practices in the Classroom
Two (2) Credit Hours. Prerequisite: none. This course focuses on the research-based benefits of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), the last three of CASEL’s five core competencies (i.e., Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making), and future directions for SEL. Students in this course will draw from foundational concepts and theories across multiple disciplines to understand SEL. Additionally, students will explore and practice strategies that promote SEL to prepare them to incorporate SEL into their future classrooms.

EDU 3302 Orton Gillingham for the Classroom Teacher
Two (2) Credit Hours. This course is an introduction to the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading and spelling. Current and future classroom teachers will acquire knowledge and strategies to address the literacy needs of their struggling readers. Participants will learn the structure of our written language to include: letter-sound associations, syllable types, syllable division patterns, and spelling rules. They will develop systematic, multi-sensory techniques and strategies effective for all students, but essential for those who struggle. Dyslexia and other related language difficulties will be discussed. Presentations will include lectures, multi-sensory activities, and teaching demonstrations.

EDU 3303 Orton Gillingham for the Classroom II
Two (2) Credit Hours. Prerequisite: EDU 3302. This course is the second in an introduction to the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching reading, spelling, and handwriting. Current and future teachers will acquire knowledge and strategies to address the literacy needs of their struggling readers. Participants will learn the structure of our written language to include letter-sound associations, syllable types, syllable division patterns, and spelling rules. They will acquire systematic, multi-sensory techniques, and strategies effective for all students, but essential for struggling readers. Dyslexia and other related language difficulties will be discussed. Presentations will include lectures, multi-sensory activities, and teaching demonstrations.