Teachscape Online Courses
Further your professional development with convenient distance-learning
online courses through the partnership of Cardinal Stritch University
and Teachscape.
Teachscape is a team of educators, technologists and researchers dedicated to creating the highest quality professional development courses for teachers. Courses are $500 each, are worth three graduate credits, and can be completed in a self-paced, independent-study format within a 17-week period. Special group rates and discount promotions are available.
To register for a Teachscape online course please contact the Professional Development Department at Cardinal Stritch University at (800) 347-8822, ext. 4428.
For more information, contact the Professional Development Department at (800) 347-8822, ext. 4428 or at conted@stritch.edu.
Interested in a master’s degree? You may be able to apply a Teachscape online course toward the new Master in Education online degree program at Cardinal Stritch University. For more information about this opportunity, including which courses apply, contact Dr. Paul Weber at pweber@stritch.edu. Students must get approval prior to registration.
Science Education
Inquiry-Based Science K-8, CEDUC 654
This course is designed to teach scientific process skills and help teachers create engaging, hands-on science lessons. Participants learn to leverage the strength of inquiry-based science instruction to help their students develop deeper understanding of key earth science concepts. The course is designed around a constructivist learning model called the Five E’s: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Participants will study each part of the model and learn ways to apply these concepts immediately in their teaching practice.
Brain-Based Learning
The Thinking and Learning Brain K-12, CEDUC 646
This course focuses on the latest research in the domains of neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Participants examine the classroom implications of understanding how the brain learns. Key topics of each domain are explored, such as memory, cognition, language development, gender differences, and the emotional aspects of learning. Participants apply brain-compatible strategies to improve student achievement, to increase student motivation and engagement, and to create a supportive learning environment.
21st Century Learning
21st Century Learner K-12, CEDUC 653
This course examines the interdisciplinary skills that all students need in order to be productive, contributing members of a global community. Learn the skills of collaboration, critical thinking, oral and written communication, technology literacy, and citizenship are embedded into a holistic framework of teaching, so that participants meet the needs of diverse and multicultural students.
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Teacher as Leader K-12, CEDUC 618
This course establishes foundational knowledge and introduces current research related to teacher leadership. You will study the current state of education and many of the leading reform efforts; learn and apply leadership strategies in your classroom, school, and community; and set personal goals outlining ways you can strengthen your commitment to student learning and achievement.
Instructional Design K-12, CEDUC 620
This course establishes a comprehensive way to engage in unit planning and instructional design. You will integrate assessment into your planning and create a sequence of learning experiences that logically and meaningfully help students meet required learning goals while aligning your instructional design with state and local standards.
Understanding Teaching and Learning K-12, CEDUC 621
This course focuses on the intricacies of how people learn and establishes the firm foundation necessary to make intelligent decisions about the types of teaching strategies and instructional plans utilized in your classroom. You will apply these theories to strengthen your instructional practices and commitment to student learning and achievement.
Research-Based Instructional Strategies to Improve Student Achievement K-12, CEDUC 546
This course will provide you with information about instructional strategies and approaches and offers the opportunity to practice identifying how and when you will use these strategies as part of your instruction.
Meeting the Needs of All Students K-12, CEDUC 619
This course focuses on differentiation strategies in instructional planning and organizing for meeting the needs of students in the mixed-ability classroom. The course gives careful consideration to the different ways students acquire and process information and will help you develop products to show what they have learned.
Effective Assessment K-12, CEDUC 616
This course grounds teachers in effective ways to assess their students. Content includes information on different types and specific purposes of assessments and how best to use them.
Classroom Assessment for Today’s Teacher K-12, CEDUC 635
This course focuses on three important areas of assessment: grading, authentic assessment techniques, and Response to Intervention (RTI). While studying each of these areas of assessment, participants will identify common problems and obstacles classroom teachers face in each of these categories, and subsequent ways to address or overcome these issues. Participants will also apply research-based grading, authentic assessment, and RTI strategies to their particular teaching situation.
Student-Directed Learning to Foster Motivation and Engagement K-12, CEDUC 634
This course provides an overview of the theoretical background and practical applications of motivation and engagement. It supports the pursuit of developing true teacher leaders by supplying a framework from which educators can reflect upon their students and devise strategies to increase motivation and learning. Participants will explore project-based and problem-based learning, two student-centered learning structures that require students to engage in high-interest yet challenging tasks.
Reading and Literacy
Foundations of Reading and Literacy K-6, CEDUC 545
This course focuses on sound theories and principles for developing literacy skills in students. It provides participants with a comprehensive knowledge base in the reading process and the most effective instructional techniques for teaching students to read. Increase understanding of the five components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Apply the most effective instructional strategies to improve students’ skills in the five components of reading. Adapt instructional strategies to meet the unique needs of English language learners and students who struggle to read.
Assessment and Intervention for Struggling Readers K-6, CEDUC 626
This course helps teachers to better understand students who struggle with reading and gives them the tools to improve their students’ fluency and comprehension in order to meet grade-level standards. You will define and describe the characteristics of a struggling reader, identify a particular student who fits that description, examine that student’s needs, and implement research-based instructional strategies to improve fluency and comprehension in struggling readers.
Reading in the Content Areas K-6, CEDUC 627
This course focuses on ways to integrate effective reading strategies into all subject areas of the curriculum. You will employ proven instructional strategies to engage all learners, including struggling readers, through the reading of informational texts. You will also develop subject-area vocabulary that aides in the comprehension of content-specific material and utilize established techniques to help students make connections to prior learning.
The Reading and Writing Connection K-6, CEDUC 628
This course focuses on the writing process and its role in literacy development. As you learn how to identify, define, and explain all stages of the writing process, you will be provided with proven techniques to help your students integrate writing into all subject areas. You will create learning experiences in which students respond to literature throughout reading; employ the use of writing portfolios to measure the growth of writing ability over time; and examine ways (such as mini-lessons, error analysis, and conferencing) to support the independence of reading and writing in the classroom.
Elementary Mathematics
Measurement and Geometry for Elementary Students K-5, MTTS 556
This course covers the Van Hiele levels of geometric thought and focuses on shapes and properties, transformations, location, and visualization, as well as measurement concepts and skills. It will help you engage in hands-on, problem-solving activities that will enable you to apply new understanding to your instructional planning and decision-making.
Problem Solving and Numbers Operations for Elementary Students K-5, MTTS 559
This course establishes a foundation of mathematical content knowledge and problem-solving skills, and provides strategies for developing strong number sense in students. You will deepen personal understanding of mathematical content found in elementary grades, such as place value, the operations, fractions, decimals, and percents; develop strategies to teach in a problem-based classroom; and engage in and learn ways to lead mathematical discourse.
Fundamentals of Mathematics: Teaching for Conceptual Understanding 2-6, MTTS 555
You will discover practical and effective strategies for improving the teaching and learning of mathematics in your classroom. This course goes beyond the research to help teachers combine a more conceptual understanding of mathematics with effective instructional strategies to help students dramatically improve math success.
Algebra for Elementary Students K-5, MTTS 557
This course focuses on developing basic algebraic thinking for elementary-school students. You will deepen your understanding of patterns, functions, and algebraic symbols; analyze repeating and growing patterns and represent these patterns in words, pictures, and numbers; and express mathematical relationships using equations.
Data Analysis and Probability for Elementary Students K-5, MTTS 558
This course is structured around the creation and completion of a real-life data analysis project that allows you to apply knowledge and skills from other mathematical strands. You will design an investigation to address a question and consider how data-collection methods affect the nature of the data set; use measures of center, especially the median, and understand what each does and does not indicate about a data set; and propose and justify conclusions and predictions that are based on data.
Middle Level Mathematics
Proportional Reasoning in the Middle 6-8, MTTS 553
This course examines key mathematical ideas related to helping middle-school students develop proportional reasoning. You will deepen your understanding of ratio and proportion and how they are applied in measurement and geometry; discover ways to improve instructional planning before, during, and after mathematics lessons; and learn ways to model proportional thinking and apply concepts to real-world problems.
Problem Solving and Number Operations for Middle-Level Students 6-8, MTTS 554
This course focuses on ways to deepen mathematical content knowledge through problem solving and mathematical discourse. You will deepen your personal understanding of mathematical content found in middle-school mathematics, such as fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, proportions, and developing proportional reasoning; develop strategies to teach in a problem-based classroom; and engage in and learn to lead mathematical discourse.
Measurement and Geometry for Middle-Level Students 6-8, MTTS 552
This course covers the Van Hiele levels of geometric thought — focusing on shapes and properties, transformations, location, and visualization, as well as measurement concepts and skills. You will apply effective problem-solving strategies to real-world problems; deepen your understanding of mathematical concepts such as volume and capacity, similarity and congruence, and solving problems with ratios and proportions; and apply instructional strategies that help develop geometric thinking.
Algebra for Middle-Level Students 6-8, MTTS 550
This course focuses on developing advanced algebraic thinking, including studying patterns and functions, understanding the structure of the number system, using symbolism meaningfully, and employing mathematical modeling to solve problems. You will examine common misconceptions about learning algebra in order to better understand gaps in student comprehension; identify functions as linear or nonlinear and contrast their properties using tables, graphs, and equations; and model and solve contextualized problems using tables, graphs, and equations.
Data Analysis and Probability for Middle-Level Students 6-8, MTTS 551
This course is structured around the creation and completion of a real-life data analysis project that allows you to apply knowledge and skills from other mathematical strands. Key concepts such as data collection, graphical representations of data, and measures of center are highlighted. You will design an investigation that includes data collection and data analysis; select, create, and use appropriate graphical representations of data; and find, use, and interpret measures of center and spread.