astl ib information session

IB ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN TEACHING & LEARNING RESEARCH

Advanced Studies in Teaching & Learning Information Session

College of Education and Human Development

Division of Advanced Professional Teacher Development & International Education

G E O R G E M A S O N U N I V E R S I T Y


Agenda

• ASTL Program Overview

• Mission

• Core Values

• International Baccalaureate

• Program Outcomes

• Professional Dispositions

• Program Structure

• Course Sequence

• Admission Information

• Final Reminders



ASTL Program Overview

DescriptionThe ASTL program offers practicing teachers the opportunity to develop as student centered teacher leaders who are change-agents in their schools. The program is designed to deepen teacher content knowledge and research skills, as well as increase their understanding of student learning, assessment, and methods that meet students’ individual learning needs.

DegreeMEd: Curriculum & Instruction

Profilehttps://gse.gmu.edu/advanced-teaching-studies/academics/masters-in-education-advanced-international-baccalaureate-concentration



ASTL Mission

To develop the content, pedagogical content knowledge, leadership skills, and research capacity of practicing teachers who want to take an inquiry stance on their educational practice and lead from the classroom as they contribute to on-going school improvement and educational change.



Curriculum

The ASTL Curriculum is grounded in the Five Core Propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards



Core Values

ASTL Core Values are aligned with the Core Values of the George Mason’s College of Education:

• Social Justice• Research-Based Practice• Ethical Leadership• Collaboration• Innovation



International Baccalaureate (IB)

• The IB is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission, focused on the student.

• There are three available programs to help students ages 3-19 develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in an increasingly globalized world.

• These programs are:

• Primary Years Programme (PYP)

• Middle Years Programme (MYP)

• Diploma Programme (DP)



George Mason University Offers Three IB Certificates

IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching & Learning Research – PYP, MYP or DP

IB Certificate in Teaching & Learning – PYP, MYP or DP

IB Certificate in Teaching & Learning – PYP Only



IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching & Learning Research

• Ideal for educators who wish to supplement their existing IB experience with rigorous, systematic, investigative work to further their knowledge and experience.

• Delve deeper into curriculum development, pedagogy and assessment through exploring relevant literature and IB practices

• George Mason University is one of the few universities that offers this advanced degree:

• 1 of 2 locations in the United States

• 1 of 4 locations in North America



IB Advanced Certificate Benefits

• Improve the quality of your classroom teaching

• Allow you to contribute to the body of knowledge so others can benefit

• Expand your career path into leadership roles

• Increase your competitive advantage in the education job sector

• Demonstrate your commitment to continuous self-improvement and lifelong learning

• Increase your access to teaching jobs worldwide

• Demonstrate your deep understanding of and engagement in student learning



ASTL’s Role in Teachers’ Ongoing

Professional Career Development

Current ASTL MEd Future

• Teacher Preparation

• In-School PD

• Classroom Experience

• Advanced Pedagogical

Knowledge

• Advanced Content

Knowledge

• Curriculum Specialist

• School Leader

• Earn National Board

Certification



ASTL’s Eight Program Learning OutcomesWhat Teachers Should Know & Be Able To Do

• Teachers are committed to students and their learning

• Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students

• Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning

• Teachers are committed to students and their learning

• Teachers are members of learning communities

The Five Core Propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards



Additional Learning Outcomes

• Teachers account for the needs of culturally, linguistically, and cognitively diverse learners.

• Teachers are change agents, teacher leaders, and partners with colleagues.• Teachers use technology to facilitate student learning and their own

professional development and educational change.



Features of ASTL

Face-to-Face and Distance Learning

formats available for Core Courses

VA Educators receive a 15% discount off in-state tuition rates for PK-12 credit course

Online Format for all IB Concentration

courses

Out-of-state students receive a 45%

discount off standard tuition rates



ASTL Full Concentration List

• Advanced IB

• Designing Digital Learning in Schools

• Early Childhood Education

• Foreign Language – French

• Foreign Language – Spanish

• Gifted Child Education (Cohort)

• History

• Individualized Concentration

• Literacy K-12 Reading Specialist

• Literacy PK-12 Classroom

• Mathematics Elementary

• Mathematics – Middle/Secondary (Cohort)

• Physical Education (Cohort)

• Science K-12

• Special Education

• Teacher Leadership



ASTL Program Structure

Two Major Components

IB Concentration

18 Credits

Concentration classes

focus on IB philosophy

ASTL Core

12 Credits

Core classes focus on

research and pedagogy



Courses

IB Concentration

18 Credits

ASTL Core

12 Credits

• Inquiry into Practice (2 credits)

• How Students Learn (3 credits)

• Designing & Assessing Teaching & Learning (2 credits)

• Education & Culture (3 credits)

• Educational Change (2 credits)

• Teaching & Learning in the International Baccalaureate Program (3 credits)

• Curriculum Development across IB Programs (3 credits)

• Models & Strategies for Teaching & Learning in IB Schools (3 credits)

• Assessment & Learning in IB Schools (3 credits)

• Inquiry into Action: IB Teachers, Learners, & Schools (3 credits)

• Contemporary Issues & Trends in IB (3 credits)



IB Concentration

Completion Options: • Concentration may be completed in its

entirety before CORE classes – or -• Concentration and CORE classes may be

taken together or in tandem

Scheduling of Core and Concentration Classes:• IB Concentration Courses are offered fully

online• The Program of Study and Advising Form

lists the suggested course sequence• Core offered online except EDUC 612,

which is a 4 week course taken in the summer prior to beginning the Core courses. The remainder of the Core courses are fully online.



ASTL COREThrough the Education “Core,” ASTL focuses on teachers as researchers who view their classrooms as a “living laboratory” for studying and understanding:

• How students learn• How to design instruction that meets the needs of all learners• How to assess student learning through multiple approaches• How cultural and linguistic factors affect student learning and school climate• How to become change agents in their schools by cultivating their leadership skills



Inquiry Into Practice: Experience using research skills & developing critical reflective practice for inquiry into classroom practice

Core: Course Descriptions

EDUC 612

How Students Learn: Advanced course using research and developmental and learning theories to understand how students learn

EDUC 613

Designing & Assessing Teaching & Learning: Advanced course using research and developmental and learning theories to understand more deeply the teaching and learning process

EDUC 614

EDUC 606

EDUC 615

Education & Culture: Use of the Cultural Inquiry Process (CIP) supports teachers as they conduct culturally- and linguistically-focused classroom inquiry and acquire multiple perspectives, analyze settings, and expand culturally responsive pedagogy and teaching strategies for use in today’s increasingly diverse classrooms

Education Change – Capstone: Explores influences on educational change at the classroom, school, community, state, and national levels; emphasizes the role of teachers as leaders. The ASTL Portfolio is presented at the conclusion of EDUC 615.



Courses Months

J J A S O N D J F M A M

EDUC 612 Inquiry into Practice (2 credits) F2F

EDUC 613 How Students Learn (3 credits) F2F/Online

EDUC 614 Designing & Assessing Teaching & Learning (2 credits) F2F/Online

EDUC 606 Education and Culture (3 credits) F2F/Online

EDUC 615 Educational Change (2 credits) F2F/Online

Core: Year-Long Schedule



Class Term offered Format Prerequisite (completed before)

EDUC 612(2 credits)

Summer only Face to Face only

Admission to ASTL Program(late June –late July). Pre-requisite for all following Core courses

EDUC 613(3 credits)

Fall only Online or Face to Face

EDUC 612 (pre-req)

EDUC 614(2 credits)

Fall only Online or Face to Face

EDUC 612 (pre-req)EDUC 613 (pre-req, may be taken concurrently)

EDUC 606(3 credits)

Spring only Online or Face to Face

EDUC 612 & EDUC 613 (pre-req)

EDUC 615(2 credits)

Spring only Online or Face to Face

EDUC 612, EDUC 613, EDUC 614 (pre-req)EDUC 606 (pre-req, may be taken concurrently). To be taken in the final spring semester of coursework

Core: Classes at a Glance



ASTL AdvisingEach student is assigned a concentration advisor specific to your specialty area and has a professional academic advisor.

Concentration Advisor• Questions regarding specific concentration

class requirements• Concentration course scheduling• Substituting a given concentration class for

another

Professional Academic Advisor• Graduation and degree progress• Registration details for Core courses• Paperwork for re-enrollment or course

transfers



Program Planning

Submit to Dr. Fox [email protected],Your Advisor, and Marie Champagne [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Admissions Process

Online Application

admissions.gmu.edu

Goals Statement

Describe why you chose this program, what you hope to learn and why now is an ideal time for

you to apply

2 Letters of Recommendation

Professional references submitted electronically

Transcripts

Should have overall GPA of 3.0 from undergraduate and/or

graduate institution

Application Fee

$75.00 non-refundable fee paid online at the time of application

submission

**There are additional requirements for International Students



Application Deadlines ASTL has some flexibility regarding admissions deadlines, however, the following dates should be followed to ensure timely receipt of required materials. Preferred deadlines:

• Spring Start – November 1

• Fall or Summer Start – March 1 Priority, but will accept later (through 1 May for summer coursework activation)

• Final Deadline for Fall start – July 30(For Fall admission)



What Our Students Say…

“Because of my ASTL research, I plan on being a positive change agent in my field.”

“ASTL helped broaden my understanding of how students learn holistically.”

“Because of ASTL, I am confident in my leadership, my ability to conduct research, to be an advocate for students and their families.”



ASTL Faculty & Staff

Faculty

Dr. Rebecca K. Fox - ASTL, Academic Program CoordinatorDr. Stephanie DodmanDr. Nancy HolincheckDr. Anastasia Samaras

Professional Staff

Marie Champagne -Coordinator of Student ServicesBreanne Burke - Outreach CoordinatorAndreina Sanchez - APTDIE Administrative Coordinator



Next Steps

Office of Admissions703-993-2892

[email protected]

cehd.gmu.edu/admissions

Outreach Coordinator

Breanne Burke

703.993.2650 /

703-993-6010

[email protected]

Dr. Rebecca K. Fox

Professor and Academic

Program Coordinator

703.993.4123

[email protected]

Begin Your Online Application Today!https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now

For More Informationhttps://gse.gmu.edu/advanced-teaching-studies/

https://www2.gmu.edu/admissions-aid/apply-now

https://gse.gmu.edu/advanced-teaching-studies/