Adult Education Courses

DSE 311: Computer Technology in the Classroom - Level I (1 unit)

This course is a comprehensive overview of the use of computer technology in the educational environment and the integration of hardware and software applications into classroom instruction. It includes study and hands-on experience in topics such as Internet research, ethics and laws in use of the computer, search engines, website, on-line instructions, classroom instructions and building personal learning networks. May not be audited.

DSE 325: Instructional Strategies and Evaluation - Level I (2 units)

This course is a practical application of adult learning theories. Participants develop unit and lesson plans and present a lesson to the class-at-large according to the 4-Step Instructional Plan. Participants explore instructional materials and media, student assessments and instructional methodologies. May not be audited.

DSE 335: Perspectives on the Adult Learner - Level I (2 units)

This course provides an overview of the diversity in the adult population, the adult learning process and interpersonal relations. It examines learning theories (i.e., M. Knowles Andragogy Model), techniques and strategies to enhance adult learning (i.e., Bloom's Taxonomies). It explores critical thinking. May not be audited.

DSE 312: Curriculum, Instructional Technology, Community Legislation and Occupational Relationships - Level II (3 units)

This course provides elements in design, development and delivery of effective adult education classes with an emphasis on the use of current and advanced technology in the classroom. Topics also include other issues impacting adult education such as legislative process, governing boards, adult education funding sources, delivery system, diversity in communities and occupational trends. Prerequisites: DSE 325 and DSE 335. May not be audited.

DSE 340: Adult Learning through Interpersonal Relations, Counseling and Guidance - Level II (2 units)

This course assists with targeting the needs of adult learners as a diverse population and recognizes personal and academic problems. Topics include identifying appropriate school or community services available to assist students. It identifies special learning needs of adult students and instructional techniques to enhance their learning. It presents conflict resolution techniques and group facilitation skills. Prerequisites: DSE 325 and DSE 335. May not be audited.

Career Technical Education / Vocational Education Courses (Series 300)

Level I Courses (required for part-time and full-time credentials)

DSE 311: Computer Technology in the Classroom (1 unit)

This course provides instruction on how to select and use computer-based technology to facilitate the teaching and learning process in the CTE classroom. Teacher candidates will demonstrate understanding of the legal and ethical issues concerned with the use of education technology including copyright and Fair Use, and the appropriate use of computer-based technology for information collection, analysis, and management in the instructional setting. May not be audited.

DSE 310: Classroom & Lab Management (1 unit)

This course examines efficiency, effectiveness and safety in setting up a classroom environment. Classroom physical design, technology and social organization will be explored. General classroom safety is introduced and safety requirements related to specific subjects are discussed. Ethics-based classroom standards are created and methods for their development and implementation are addressed. The professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of the teaching profession are defined. Various record management systems are assessed and evaluated as management tools. May not be audited.

DSE 315: Curriculum Development (2 units)

This course explores unit and lesson planning according to the 4-Step Instructional Plan, unit and lesson objectives, student outcomes, instructional strategies and assessment instruments. It presents instructional media and instructional materials to assist with lessons. Learning theories, critical thinking, Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, and pedagogy models are explored and manipulated for enhancing classroom instruction. Participants compare and contrast adult learners and child learners. Career Technical Education (CTE) Standards (adopted by the State in 2005) are presented and integrated into lesson planning. May not be audited.

DSE 320: Evaluation (2 units)

Teacher candidates will identify students' prior knowledge in subject area and learn ways to assess knowledge and skill. Candidates will explore course objectives (learning objectives) as the core for assessment. They will experience creativity with developing questions and learn the relevance of types of questions as they relate to critical thinking and the various learning levels of complexity of Bloom's Cognitive Domain. Candidates will become aware of the necessity for rubrics to score higher learning assessments and learn how to develop rubrics. They will also identify correctly formatted tests and question structure. Discussion occurs on grade distribution, test anxiety and cheating/plagiarism. May not be audited.

DSE 330: Learning & Instruction (2 units)

This course explores many of the diverse individual traits possessed by the students including but not limited to learning styles, sensory modalities and English learning. These traits are then connected to the various ways the student might best learn. This course presents a variety of instructional techniques, strategies, activities and material appropriate to meeting the needs of individual learners. A major focus of this course is cooperative learning and collaborative processes to reach the higher levels of learning complexity, to address the interpersonal and team traits required by employers, and to embed collaborative learning as a SDAIE technique. May not be audited.

Level II Courses (required for full-time credentials)

DSE 345: Curriculum Development & Evaluation (2 units)

This course reviews the relationship among curriculum, course outlines/descriptions, syllabi, and unit and lesson plans. It presents the process for creating a course to integrate existing curriculum, substantiating the need for the course through labor market research, writing a proposal to substantiate the need and request approval for the course, and developing a program evaluation tool to determine its success. Students will formally present proposals and course. Prerequisites: DSE 311, DSE 310, DSE 315, DSE 320, and DSE 330. May not be audited.

DSE 350: Foundations of Vocational Education (1 unit)

Foundations provides an overview of the evolution of vocational education and how it relates to high school and adult programs. History, tradition, terms, various delivery systems, and current legislative and regulatory initiatives and practices will be addressed. Participants will acquire an understanding of current policies, funding practices and issues as well as a working knowledge of state, regional and local policy makers. The evolution of the Career Technical Education (CTE) Standards and Frameworks and its significance to and integration in the CTE courses will be explored. Participants will understand the importance of utilizing a community/business Advisory Committee. They will learn how to establish an Advisory Committee, conduct meetings, and keep the members actively involved. Prerequisites: DSE 311, DSE 310, DSE 315, DSE 320, DSE 330. May not be audited.

DSE 355: Learning, Instruction & Classroom Management (2 units)

This course explores the use of cooperative/collaborative learning with a variety of indirect instructional strategies and activities appropriate for achieving the higher levels of learning. An emphasis is placed on forming groups, assigning roles and tasks, and objectives and/or project outcomes. Participants will develop a lesson plan involving a cooperative learning activity and conduct the lesson. Students are also required to apply the CA Standards for the Teaching Professional to their teaching. Prerequisites: DSE 311, DSE 310, DSE 315, DSE 320, DSE 330. May not be audited.

DSE 360: Special Needs (1 unit)

This course specifically addresses the identification of the special needs of students. The class will explore learning theories identifying special needs and apply learning strategies and techniques, activities and materials that will increase student involvement and learning enhancement. Individual Education Program/Individual Transition Plans (IEP/ITP) will be introduced and function explained. State and federal laws pertaining to the education of students with special needs will be introduced. Introduces information regarding services and support agencies available to educators for aiding educators with special needs students. Teacher candidates will prepare and deliver a lesson with special needs addressed. English Language Learners (ELL) will be explored in conjunction with special needs. Prerequisites: DSE 311, DSE 310, DSE 315, DSE 320, DSE 330. May not be audited.

Career Technical Education Courses (Series 400)

DSE 400: Early Orientation for DS Teachers (2 units)

This course is designed to assist the new teacher in navigating the school system: the local school district, county office of education, Commission on Teacher Credentials, and the California State Department of Education. This course explores state adoptions, foundational knowledge and skills for the beginning teacher and introduces new teachers to learning style diversities, lesson planning, instructional methodologies and techniques for constructing a safe classroom environment.

DSE 405: Educational Technology (1 unit)

This course provides instruction on how to select and use computer-based technology to facilitate the teaching and learning process in the CTE classroom. Teacher candidates will understand the legal and ethical issues concerning the use of education technology including copyright and Fair Use, and the appropriate use of computer-based technology for information collection, analysis, and management in the instructional setting.

DSE 410: Foundations of Career Technical Education (1 unit)

This course provides an overview of the evolution of vocational education and how it relates to high school and adult programs. History, tradition, terms, various delivery systems, and current legislative and regulatory initiatives and practices are addressed. Participants will acquire an understanding of current policies, funding practices and issues as well as a working knowledge of state, regional and local policymakers. The evolution of the Career Technical Education (CTE) Standards and Frameworks and its significance to and integration in the CTE courses will be explored.

DSE 415: Curriculum Development (3 units)

Teacher candidates will determine curriculum for student learning, create course outline/descriptions for Career Technical Education, substantiate need with local labor market, prepare a proposal presenting substantiation for new course, conduct unit planning and learn to integrate and identify essential standards from the California Career Technical Education as well as the Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP). Effective lesson presentations are required emphasizing the engaging of a wide variety of learners, including English Language Learners (ELL) and assisting instruction with technology. Candidates are introduced to the SIOP Model for EL learners.

DSE 420: Special Needs (2 units)

This course assists teacher candidates in developing basic knowledge, skills and strategies for teaching special populations in CTE classrooms, including students with exceptional needs, students on behavior plans, and gifted and talented students. Candidates will understand the role of the CTE teacher in the special education process, use differentiated instructional strategies that provide all students with access to CTE curriculum and promote a positive, inclusive climate of instruction for all special populations in the CTE curriculum. Techniques to enhance the learning of English Language Learners (ELL) and students with special needs will be identified.

DSE 425: Learning & Instruction (3 units)

This course explores many of the diverse individual traits possessed by the students including but not limited to learning styles, sensory modalities, and English learning and the connection to the various ways the student might best learn. A variety of instructional techniques, strategies, activities and material appropriate to meeting the needs of individual learners will be explored. A major focus of this course is cooperative learning and collaborative processes to reach the higher levels of learning complexity, to address the interpersonal and team traits required by employers, and to embed collaborative learning as a SDAIE.

DSE 430: Assessing Student Learning (2 units)

Teacher candidates will identify students' prior knowledge in subject area and learning styles to assess knowledge and skill; develop learning outcomes; understand the relevance questioning to critical thinking; and understand the various learning levels of complexity of Bloom's Cognitive Domain and Psychomotor Domain. Candidates will learn the value and how to develop rubrics, identify correctly formatted tests, and question structure and explore grade distribution, text anxiety, and cheating/plagiarism. Performance Assessment to enhance EL learning and Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) standards-based education techniques are integrated.

DSE 435: Classroom & Laboratory Management (1 unit)

This course examines efficiency, effectiveness and safety in setting up a classroom environment. Classroom physical design, technology and social organization for effective learning environment are covered. General classroom safety in specific subjects and OSHA requirements are discussed. Ethics-based classroom standards are created and models for their development and implementation are introduced. The professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of the teaching profession are defined. Classroom management theories and techniques are explored including the Humanist Tradition, Applied Behavior Analysis Tradition, and Classroom Management Traditional. The socio-cultural needs of English language learners are addressed. Various record management systems (i.e., grading software) are assessed and evaluated as management tools.

Supervision and Coordination Education Courses

DSE 365: Supervisor's Role in the Administration of Vocation Education Programs (3 units)

This course focuses on responsibilities and authority of supervisors. It presents an overview of personnel selection procedures; orientation, training, evaluation and development. It addresses laws and guidelines of fair hiring practices and employee rights. It provides contemporary supervision techniques for optimum productivity and high morale among employees. Candidates are instructed in the development of departmental policies and procedures for the respective supervisory departments in parallel with the mission and management style of the organization. It presents budget in process for the supervisor in creating new program budgets and for ranking program operation. It provides discussion of legislation affecting vocational and/or adult educational programs and explores intra- and inter-agency relations and program funding sources as well as cultivating relationships for obtaining funds. May not be audited.

DSE 370: Leadership & Program Development (3 units)

This course introduces, defines and discusses leadership concepts as they relate to the functions of planning, organization and management. It explores the importance of leadership as a quality characteristic of employability, success and advancement for a career in the field of educational as well as techniques for identifying, initiating and implementing vocational education programs with an emphasis on the designated subjects teaching credential program. May not be audited.