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Center for Learning and Instruction Home

Introduction

The Center for Learning and Instruction was established to support the art and science of teaching. The classroom teacher is the key designer of curricula for the new millenium. Designing and implementing lessons provides the building blocks for student learning. An explosion of new information about how humans learn is re-shaping all institutions of learning (pre-school through college). The quality of education will depend on the creativity and imagination of our teachers in translating new knowledge into practice in our classrooms. Our classrooms need to create learning environments that improve critical thinking skills, problem solving and decision-making. Statewide, teacher education programs in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education are searching for strategies that balance the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, instruction, and assessment. Classroom learning is maximized when the teacher artfully integrates content, instruction and assessment, while utilizing the newest technologies available.

Mission

The Center for Learning and Instruction is designed to promote instructional excellence by emphasizing a focus on learners, providing continuous support and high quality professional development opportunities for teaching candidates, beginning teachers, experienced teachers, and college faculty. The Center is also responsible for administering the capstone clinical internship, student teaching.

Purpose

• To be a hub that connects the Teacher Education Department with the five other Schools on campus.
• To serve the needs of the pre-service teachers at Ramapo College.
• To place student teachers in schools throughout the state.
• To keep faculty, pre-service teachers, and experienced teachers updated on changes in educational policy.
• To maintain up-to-date research, resources, and technologies for faculty and pre-service teachers.
• To reach out to local school districts to secure quality field work placements for our students.
• To connect Ramapo College to outside resources, such as other colleges, state agencies, corporations, private sectors, and associations.

Services

Student Services

• The Center has state of the art technologies available by providing access to computers and software taught in the Teacher Education, "Technology in the Classroom" course.
• The Center maintains a collection of print and media resources available for students and faculty to use in the education courses
• Center staff is available to help students find resources needed for lesson plans, activities, etc…
• Center staff is available to help students who have difficulty utilizing the technologies and software provided.
• The Center keeps students updated on changes in educational policy. For example, the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and the State Assessments (ESPA, GEPA, HSPA).
• The Center coordinates a schedule of presenters to provide hands-on training to pre-service teachers. In addition to hands-on workshops, the Center arranges for keynote speakers to present on the latest Educational/Technology issues in the Sharp Theater. Currently, the Workshop & Lecture Series is supported financially by the Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) Grant.

Faculty Services

• The Center provides printed materials, media (videos, software, etc…), and manipulatives for the Teacher Education courses.
• The Center keeps faculty updated on changes in education policy. For example, the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and the State Assessments (ESPA, GEPA, HSPA).
• The Center works collaboratively with the Teacher Education faculty on special projects (ex. making media presentations).

Service to School Districts

• The Center for Learning and Instruction offers Professional Development opportunities to local school districts through the Workshop & Lecture Series.
• The Center's printed materials, media, and technologies are available for use by local practicing teachers.
• The Center is designed to support educators in their efforts to develop lessons by providing a place to assemble, explore, share, and demonstrate new ideas.