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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do about textbooks? Are they required and if so how do I purchase the required books?
All materials required for the course are included in the course cost. You do not have to purchase a textbook.
What is the Orton Gillingham Multisensory Instruction Method?
The IMSE approach allows teachers to incorporate into their daily lessons the five components essential to an effective reading program: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension strategies.
What makes IMSE unique is our face-to-face, hands-on technique. Our method works to support your current reading program instead of disrupting it. It is an additional tool to incorporate into your literacy instruction, and since it’s integrated in the general classroom, it’s flexible enough to fit the needs of all types of learners. Teachers can group students based on their need for greater challenges or additional support.
Each district has its own needs and budget, but all districts want to produce proficient readers. Whether you’re a teacher who wants to enhance your classroom reading curriculum or an administrator who wants to empower your teachers to help every child achieve his reading potential, IMSE training unlocks the door to reading fluency. (from the Orton-Gillingham webpage).
For addition information please visit the Orton-Gillingham program website. (orton-gillingham.com)
How do I register for a class?
Graduate students may register for either concentration here. Under "Program Applying for," please select STEM/Orton-Gillingham Specialized Courses. Please note: transcripts from previous institutions are not required for non-degree seeking students. Additionally, letters of reference, a resume, a personal statement, and a teaching certificate are not required.
Undergraduate students may register here. Please note: Under "Program Applying for," please select Non-Degree; Under "Non-Degree," please select Specialized Education Courses.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the program?
Please call the Office of Adult and Graduate Admission at 863.680.4205 or by email at evening@flsouthern.edu.
How do I cancel my registration if I need to withdraw?
A full refund is available if your registration is cancelled no later than the Wednesday prior to the course start date. All cancellations or requests for withdrawal must be faxed to 863.680.4565 or emailed to registrar@flsouthern.edu. Please include the course title and dates which the class is scheduled to meet in your withdrawal information/correspondence.
I would like to receive a certificate of completion when I have completed the two STEM or reading courses. How do I obtain a certificate?
Upon completion of the second course, certificates are distributed during class.
I would like for the school district that I work for to receive a copy of my transcript verifying my completion of these courses. How do I request a transcript for course work completed?
We offer online transcript ordering through our partner, the National Student Clearinghouse. The cost is $7.50 per copy and you will need a credit card and a valid email account. Transcripts will not be released if there is an outstanding balance on your FSC account. If you have questions, please contact the registrar’s office at 863.680.4127.
How much do the courses cost?
The 2020-2021 tuition per credit hour cost is $330. The total cost for tuition for each course above (two credit hours) is $660. *Florida Southern College reserves the right to revise fee schedules.
When do I have to pay for the courses?
After submitting the online application you will receive an email stating that we received your application. Within 7 to 10 business days you will receive an email confirmation which includes your password and user ID# so that you can go on to the FSC Portal and make payment for the course. Payment is required upon receipt of your registration email. Please be aware that courses will be dropped from the student’s schedule on the day after the registration deadline (the Wednesday prior to the course starting date) if not paid for in full or if no arrangements have been made through student accounts.
Please log into the FSC Portal with your FSC ID# and password to submit your payment; Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express is accepted. You can find the payment option in the portal by clicking on the student tab and then clicking on the Financial Information link in the left sidebar, and lastly click “Go to CashNet” near the bottom of the page. If you have any questions regarding your student account, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at 863.680.4154 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM).
Failure to pay course fees does not withdraw you from the course(s). Unless you withdraw from the course as described above, you will be liable for payment.
How do I obtain my ID# if I lost or misplaced it?
Please email evening@flsouthern.edu or call the Office of Adult and Graduate Admission at 863.680.4205.
How do I obtain a password and user ID# to log on to the FSC Portal?
Your password is provided to you on the Registration Confirmation email that is sent within 7 to 10 business days after you have applied for a course. If you need to request the password again, please call our Help Desk for assistance at 863.616.6426. The Help Desk hours are located here.
Who do I contact if I have an issue with course payment?
Please call the FSC Student Accounts Office at 863.680.6217 or by email at studentaccts@flsouthern.edu.
Can I enroll in the course as a non-degree seeking student?
Yes, simply indicate on the application that you are a non-degree seeking student for Specialized Education Courses.