College of Education
Interactive Distance Learning Classroom
The College of Education houses the University's first fully functioning interactive distance learning (IDL) classroom. The classroom, Room 315, Hughes Hall, contains the latest in distance learning technologies.
While the IDL classroom serves the entire University, the College of Education has been active in using IDL to deliver classes, conduct in-services, and hold statewide and regional meetings via this technology. The IDL is an essential component in the delivery of entire degree programs.
The system provides for full motion two-way audio and video connections for up to four locations. A computer system has been integrated into the system, providing an avenue for delivering computer mediated instruction to the distance sites. An important benefit of the computer is access for IDL instructors to full World Wide Web resources and the ability to display these resources to all connected sites. In addition, the configuration of the IDL classroom allows it to be used locally as a mediated classroom. This enables undergraduate and graduate students majoring in education to be exposed to the very latest in instructional delivery systems.
Pittsburg State University Professional Development School Partnership (PSU/PDS)
The Pittsburg State University Professional Development School Partnerships is an optional program for Early Childhood/Late Childhood (K-6) majors which enables interns (senior level students) to participate in a semester long internship prior to the professional semester. In order to participate in the partnership a student is required to complete an application and to lack no more than three credit hours in addition to the 12 hours of required coursework for completion in a fall semester. Each mentor teacher must be recommended for participation in the partnership by their building principal.
During the internship semester, participants volunteer fifteen (15) to twenty (20) clock hours per week in a classroom working with their mentor teacher and complete required coursework on campus. They then have opportunity to conclude their teacher education program with a sixteen-week student teaching experience in the same classroom during the spring semester.
The mission of the participating P-12 schools in PSU/PDS Partnership is to:
- Continue to improve the quality of education for area P-12 students by utilizing research-based techniques and teaching strategies;
- Provide pre-service teachers with an authentic experience which effectively utilizes unique elements of a diverse student population and experienced professional staff in area schools;
- Stimulate and encourage the participating P-12 schools and PSU faculties to develop professionally through continuous collaboration and interaction so that the community of life long learners is better prepared to live and work in an ever changing society.
Instructional Resource Center (IRC)
The Instructional Resource Center (IRC) located in B25 Hughes Hall serves as a major instructional resource in all areas of teacher and school service personnel preparation. While its primary use has been by prospective teachers, it is designed to serve experienced teachers and administrators school systems in the service area of Pittsburg State University.
The IRC occupies approximately 2200 square feet of floor space with facilities to accommodate substantial numbers of students in the main library area with conference, audio-visual, and individual work spaces provided. Services available for student's use include a photocopier, laminating machine, computers, and printers. A wide variety of instructional resource materials is available.
The primary purpose of the IRC is to provide experience with unit planning, wise selection, organization and effective use of multiple instructional resources, and to encourage curriculum development and improvement. The IRC has been added as a branch library to the university's online library catalog.
College of Education Computer Laboratory
The College of Education Computer Laboratory, located in B22 Hughes Hall, houses the computing services available to education majors at Pittsburg State University. The laboratory contains hardware and software representative of computing environments which exist in area schools. Through experiences in the laboratory, education majors acquire the skills and knowledge associated with educational technologies.
More than 24 of the most up-to-date computers are available in the lab in Windows plat-form. Word processing, spreadsheet, and data base software are accessible through all computer platforms. The Windows computers are connected to campus-wide networks which allow for the sharing of numerous and varied software products, including instructional software, statistics software, and drawing and painting packages. The networked computers also support research and communications by education majors by providing access to the World Wide Web.
Laboratories for Psychology and Counseling
Specialized laboratory areas in Whitesitt Hall are provided in support of the programs in psychology and counseling. Facilities include a diagnostic psychological assessment clinic, classroom-laboratory areas and counseling/therapy observation suites, complete with dual cameras and split screen video equipment for observation and recording.
Clinical Field Experiences
Clinical field experiences for prospective and practicing teachers and other school service personnel are provided through cooperative arrangements with public schools and other educational or education-related agencies in the area.
Pre-student teaching experiences, student teaching, practicum experience, and internships are included.
Center for Economic Education
The Center for Economic Education is located in the Instruction Resource Center (IRC), Room B25 Hughes Hall. The center is a member of the Joint Council on Economic Education and is linked to 300 university-based centers. The mission of the PSU Center for Economic Education is to assume a leadership role in promoting economic literacy in the elementary and secondary schools of Southeast Kansas. To accomplish this mission, the center utilizes the following vehicles:
1. Teacher Education
The center provides both on-campus and off-campus in-service experiences for classroom teachers and administrators. These activities normally involve academic credit. Individualized seminars are developed around the specific needs of a school district or a consortium.
2. Materials Dissemination
The center provides instructional materials to teachers wishing to integrate economics into their instructional units. Nationally and state developed materials are loaned to teachers at no cost.
3. Research
The effectiveness of innovative economics instruction can be determined by the center staff. This research can take the form of a needs assessment or a complete curricula evaluation. The user fee is deposited into the center account and is utilized to purchase additional materials for teacher use. |
