The Middle Level Education specialty area is designed to increase the competence of educators working with young adolescents in a middle level setting (grades 5-8). Students examine the developmental characteristics of young adolescents, the programs and practices of exemplary middle level schools, curricular design, instructional practices, assessment and evaluation techniques and middle level reform initiatives.
Iowa Communications Network (ICN)
Courses in this program are offered primarily via the ICN. Delivery of ICN programs is limited to the state of Iowa.
MyCourses
Courses in this program have an online component utilizing MyCourses, a computer conferencing program requiring Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
UNI campus
Summer sessions in this program may involve some on-campus or central site study.
200:214 Foundations of Instructional Psychology, 3 credit hours
Study of factors involved in designing and implementing effective instructional environments.
200:286 Studies in Young Adolescent Development, 3 credit hours
Meets Iowa Teacher Middle School Endorsement specialization coursework in middle level curriculum and characteristics of young adolescent learners 6 hours credit.
210:135g Middle Level Socialization and Instruction, 3 credit hours
Instructional strategies and resources for addressing the social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of young adolescents in the middle level/junior high school classroom.
210:141g Integrated Activities in Elementary School Science and Mathematics, 3 credit hours
Activity based on pedagogical investigation of manipulative materials and activities used in elementary science and mathematics followed by critical analysis using task analysis and research investigations.
210:270 Recent Developments in Middle Level Curriculum, 3 credit hours
Recent developments regarding curricular decision making, organizational structures and instructional strategies appropriate for middle and junior high schools based on the developmental characteristics of young adolescents. Meets Iowa Teacher Middle School Endorsement specialization coursework in middle level curriculum and characteristics of young adolescent learners 6 hours credit.
210:201 Issues and Trends in Curriculum, 3 credit hours
Current ideas influencing the planning and implementation of curriculum.
210:289 Seminar in Education, 2 credit hours
210:299 Research - Planning a Master's Degree Research Paper, 1 credit hour
210:299 Research - Writing a Master's Degree Research Paper, 1 credit hour
210:299 Research - Completing the Research Paper, 1 credit hour
230:212 Methods and Materials in Literacy Education, 3 credit hours
Integrated approach to language learning within and across grades K-12, with a strong emphasis on reading and writing connections within content areas and across children’s and young adult literature.
240:232 Selection and Integration of Materials (Technology), 3 credit hours
Evaluation of the instructional setting along with the procedures for selection and integration of materials.
250:205 Educational Research, 3 credit hours
Evaluation of educational research concepts, including purposes, hypotheses, principles of research design, data collection and interpretation of results.