Opportunities for students to serve children and adolescents while simultaneously developing and fine-tuning teaching skills during clinical field experiences which occur during each phase of the program. More specifically, the education department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following learning outcomes:
• understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines taught and be able to create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students
• understand how students learn and develop and must provide learning opportunities that support a student’s intellectual, social and personal development
• understand how students differ in their approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to students with diverse backgrounds and exceptionalities
• understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills
• use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation
• use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom
• be able to plan and manage instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals
• understand and be able to use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the student
• be a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of choices and actions on others, including students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seeks out opportunities for professional growth
• be able to communicate and interact with parents or guardians, families, school colleagues, and the community to support student learning and well-being. (Department description from the Education department in the 2015-2016 Concordia course catalog. The business education program at present is to train students to teach business classes at the high school level.)