The University of Massachusetts Global graduate-level professional development courses are designed to serve the needs of those requiring professional upgrading and to enable teachers and administrators to meet requirements for salary increment steps and for re-certification. Individuals desiring to include this course in a Master’s or Doctoral Degree program offered at another institution should secure the approval of that institution first.  For information or the syllabi email  frannymcaleer@gmail.com or call the instructor at 724-413-6001.

Reflections from UMassGlobal Students - 

• The big plus to CONNECTING INSTRUCTION AND THE LEARNER was that I could work on my own schedule and in my own time frame.  It gave me a plethora of ideas to use in my own time frame.  FRANNY was just a call or text away when I needed help or advice.  I believe that I was able to get better results from the students by using the ideas that Franny provided.   Ideas that Franny sent helped me to be more creative.  I WAS ABLE TO CREATE A FEW OF MY OWN TOO!   Marc Longehagen, Southern Columbia Area School District, Catawissa, PA

• I will continue to take classes and participate in professional development days to continue my learning not only on writing and revising curriculum, but also in teaching as a whole. Everyday, the world is changing and as teachers we need to be able to change and learn with the world.  Megan Habowski, Southern Columbia Area School District, Catawissa, PA

Tuition is $695.00/3 graduate professional development credits.  Checks will be made payable to Franny McAleer and mailed to 321 Lorlita Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. 

1. EDDU 9367 – Catch Them Thinking, Creative and Critical Thinking in All Content Areas

Creative and Critical Thinking in All Content Areas is application-based and designed to improve academic performance by teaching critical and creative thinking skills. It gives educators an opportunity to learn and apply effective thinking strategies, Danielson’s Domain 3, and apply them in their classrooms to improve student performance. The Common Core, Depth of Knowledge, and William’s, Bloom’s and DeBono’s Taxonomies will be tools taught in this course. Teachers will use and

evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and embed them into their curricula.

2. EDDU 9371 – Differentiating Instruction

Differentiating Instruction provides teachers with the understanding and strategies to enable them to meet the needs of academically diverse students in their classrooms. Students differ in their readiness to learn, interests and learning profiles. In this course we will look at differentiating the content, process, product and learning environment based on these differences. We will study the principles and strategies used in differentiated classrooms to promote active learning and students as decision makers and problem solvers. You will develop instructional strategies to use in your classroom that are based on these seven key factors to make learning fun and meaningful.

3. EDDU 9368 – Challenging High Ability and Gifted Students

This course is designed to provide special and regular educators with an understanding of the structures that are necessary to challenge gifted students in the area of creative and critical thinking. In addition, supporting the intellectual, social, and emotional needs of these students is critical, involving an understanding of the nature of giftedness and the unique social, emotional and intellectual challenges that teachers and parents face. Best practices will be the focus of this course with the goal of meeting the intellectual, creative, social and emotional needs of gifted and high ability learners.

4. EDDU 9363 – Teaching for a Whole New Mind:  21st Century Learning  

The conceptual age requires 21st century skills that will be the focus of this graduate class. We will look at 

A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink and work together on ways to integrate his ideas into our teaching. The six (6)  Attributes are Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning.

5. EDDU 9381 -- Motivation and Student Engagement

Autonomy, Mastery, Choice, Mindset, and Purpose:  Five concepts students will understand and apply in a hands-on learning environment as key factors to intrinsic motivation and student engagement.  Students will analyze “The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” (Pink, Drive cover) will adapt their teaching techniques to apply strategies in their classrooms and lives.  Many of these come from the corporate world and will broaden the students’ knowledge base, allowing for collaboration and use of intrinsic motivational techniques.

6. EDDU 9362 –  Hands on Strategies to Teach Inventive Thinking

This course is designed to provide administrators and teachers with the strategies needed to develop

inventive thinking processes. The participants will analyze the need for inventive thinking in young

people and then learn and apply hands strategies to teach the invention process. If possible, a

Maker’s Space will be available for participants to use various tools that are available in many of our

schools today. Prepare yourself to enter the SHARK TANK!

7.  EDDU 9354 – Innovative Instruction with iPads (not available online)

This course is designed to teach students to learn and understand in a hands-on and immersive

learning environment how to successfully integrate the use of iPads into their classrooms. Exposure to

many applications and frameworks will broaden the students’ knowledge base and allow for in-session

collaboration and application.

8.  EDDU 9365 – Connecting Instruction and the Learner 

We will look at Danielson’s Domains of Effective Teaching, current research and best practices

designed to promote success in the classroom. You will then focus on one instructional strategy that

might improve instruction or curriculum in your classroom. An instructional improvement plan will be set

up, implemented and assessed.

9. EDDU 9364 – Improving Curriculum and Instruction

We will learn effective strategies that improve student achievement. Students will research a specific

topic in depth and apply what you learn to improve curriculum or instruction in your classroom. You will

also have the opportunity to develop and share/publish a final project to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate what you have learned.

10. EDDU 9811 --  Effective Instructional Strategies

Professional Development Programs provide opportunities for understanding and using effective teaching strategies and safety practices. In addition to this resource, others are available as the content for this course. Teach Like a Champion is an excellent one which presents strategies in written and video formats.  Students will read a required number of strategies, view the video of the classroom use of it, apply it to his/her teaching and reflect on its effectiveness.

11. EDDU 9507 --  Developing Creativity and Innovation in Your Classroom

Creativity and innovation are processes that are critical to our classrooms.  Creative thinking and problem solving are at the heart of learning and enhances and strengthens our students' understanding of the curriculum. Creativity, innovation,  and problem solving will be central to this course and its application to your teaching.  

For information or the syllabi email  frannymcaleer@gmail.com or call the instructor at 724-413-6001 

The University of Massachusetts Global committed to Working Professionals. The University graduate--level professional development courses are designed to serve the needs of those requiring professional upgrading and to enable teachers and administrators to meet requirements for salary increment steps and for re-certification. Individuals desiring to include this course in a Master’s or Doctoral Degree program offered at another institution should secure the approval of that institution first.

WHY the University of Massachusetts Global  courses?  The big plus of Connecting Instruction and the Learner was that I could work on my own schedule and in my own  time frame.  It gave me a plethora of ideas to use in the classroom.  Franny was just a phone call or text away when I needed help or advice. I believe that I was able to get better results from the students by using some of the ideas that Franny provided.  Dr. Marzano’s research based strategies were the focus on this project, and some that Franny sent helped my own creativity.  I was able to create a few of my own because of the ideas Franny sent!                                                                                         

Marc Longenhagen, Teacher at Southern Columbia Area School District