Haigazian University’s In-Service Teacher Training Program started in 1993 with a single training course for teachers.
Afterwards, the 21st Century Teacher program was introduced, which offered two types of non-credit training courses. “Topics of Interest” covered up-to-date topics and helped teachers upgrade their teaching knowledge and skills. “Refreshers” covered teaching basics, which were of benefit to new teachers and others who wished to refresh their teaching. As is the case with current programs, all training courses had practical components. Training courses varied from 12 to 20 hours.
Note: Some of the training courses listed below, as well as new ones, may reopen or become available in the future.
Below are the training courses offered under the “Topics of Interest,” along with brief overviews for some of them.
21st Century Learners in the Classroom
In today’s classroom there are students with diverse backgrounds, varied levels of achievement, and different learning styles, which affect their ability to acquire knowledge. Teachers need to move away from traditional teaching methods; they need to use new approaches to teach both content and lifelong skills.In this course teachers are introduced to the goals and importance of 21st Century education and learning. Digital literacy skills, learning and innovation skills, and career and life skills are covered. There is discussion of ways in which the curriculum can be upgraded and of classroom strategies for 21st Century learning.
Active Learning
Lesson Students do not learn much just by sitting in class listening to teachers, memorizing prepackaged assignments, and spitting out answers. Teachers need activities and strategies that scaffold student learning towards these goals. This course helps you explore how to integrate interactive techniques into your instructional plans and delivery; learn the purpose of active learning, the value of introductions, the use of energizers, and the benefits of closing activities. The course will take participants through a number of active learning strategies for the classroom including ways to move traditional lectures to active lectures.
Become Strategic Readers
Brain-based Teaching
The brain is involved in everything students do at school. Understanding how the brain develops and basic principles related to the brain and learning is important for teachers. This course also covers how to create a rich, brain-compatible classroom environment, the use of brain-based learning strategies, and the role of emotions in teaching and learning.
Building Character in the Classroom
Children’s Literature
This course introduces the participants to the many genres of children’s literature. Participants will also consider methods of selecting and evaluating children’s books in terms of readability, interest level, and cultural sensitivity, and they will explore strategies that can be instrumental in bringing children and books together. There will be examination and discussion of what makes a book “good” and/or appropriate, the differences in the writing for various age groups, and the methods of teaching children’s literature.
Children’s Rights in the Classroom
Classroom Assessment in the 21st Century
Creating Quality Learning Environments in ECE
Creative Writing in the Language Classroom
Curriculum Mapping
Dealing with Behavioral Problems
Students with behavioral problems can seriously disrupt learning in the classroom. This course provides teachers with an understanding of the common causes of difficult behavior as well as strategies for improving the behavior of students with behavioral problems. Participants learn approaches that build students’ self-esteem through positive reinforcement. They also learn to communicate effectively with students and develop an effective behavior management program for the disruptive child.
Differentiation of Instruction: Practical Strategies
This course is designed to assist teachers in differentiating learning experiences so that all students benefit from an appropriate level of challenge. The theory, definition, and rationale behind differentiation will be addressed; however, the main emphasis of the course will be placed on practical application of differentiation in instructional strategies to suit the needs of different ability students.
Differentiation of Instruction: The Learning-centered Classroom
Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom
Student learning in the classroom encompasses not only intellectual development but also development of social and emotional skills. This course covers the core elements of emotional intelligence and helps teachers recognize aspects of their own emotional intelligence. Course participants learn how to develop a safe, caring environment in the classroom, use instructional methods that enhance social-emotional learning, and create effective ‘habits of mind’ in students.
Gifted Students
How to Handle the Special Needs Student
Integrating English, Math, and Science
Integrating New Technologies into Learning
Using new technologies can help promote student learning; however, these technologies must be used appropriately. This course covers how to evaluate and select appropriate technologies and use them effectively for student learning. Other topics are: using and evaluating websites, selecting and using appropriate online assessment software, and developing lesson plans that integrate new technologies.
Introduction to the Montessori Method
Memory Strategies for Students
Motivating Students
Planning the Children’s Program in ECE
Problem-based Learning
Project-based Learning
Six Traits of Writing
Skills for Better Learning
Teaching for Multiple Intelligences
Teaching “Outside the Box”
Teaching “outside the box” means teaching creatively. Two aspects of this are using real-life situations and multiple sources when preparing lessons. This course compares traditional teaching with teaching “outside the box” and presents some examples of the latter. Other topics are: teaching strategies and appropriate assessment techniques for teaching “outside the box” and a survey of new technologies that can be used.
Teaching Reading in Elementary Classes
Teaching Reading in Preschool
The Integrated Curriculum
Using Manipulatives in Teaching Math
Working with Families
Parents and other family members want to help their children succeed in school, and teachers who have contact with families develop a deeper understanding of the children in their classes. The main topics of this course are: creating an information sheet for each student in the class, regular contact with parents to give them good news about their child, meeting parents, and making suggestions to parents about how they can support their child’s learning at home.
Below are the training courses offered under the “Refreshers,” along with brief overviews for some of them.
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
The assessment of student performance is one of the most difficult and most important of all tasks performed by teachers and must be ongoing in nature. This course is designed to acquaint teachers with major methods and techniques of evaluation used to assess and report the development and academic achievement of diverse learners.
Child Development in the Early Years
Early Childhood educators need to have an operational understanding of typical developmental patterns as they interact with and teach young children. This course examines theories and research related to the cognitive, physical, social, and affective development of children and their learning. These domains are explored and implications for learning environments are drawn. Case studies are used, and participating teachers will practice developing learning experiences and activities for children.
Child Development: Learning and Motivation
This course studies the principles of learning and motivation based primarily on theories applied to teaching and learning. It equips teachers with an understanding of how learning occurs and explains the essential role of motivation through the whole process of learning. The participants will practice applying learning theories in given classroom situations. They will also practice using motivation techniques in a classroom.
Classroom Management
Lesson Planning
Teaching Strategies
Teaching English in the Classroom
