Virtual Education Software, inc.
System Requirements
These computer-based software courses are designed to be run from the compact disc (CD) and saves user data on the hard drive of their Macintosh or Windows computer. You need to begin and complete your course on the same computer.
To run it on a Macintosh computer, you need the following:
- Mactintosh Operating System 9.2 OS10.x
- A color monitor, min. 15" capable of displaying 800x600 px
- 256 MB of RAM, 5MB of hard disk space
- A printer attached to your computer
To run it on a personal computer, you need the following:
- Windows 2000 or newer
- v5 courses will not run on Windows 98 or ME; Please call and ask for courses that specifically run on Windows 98 or ME
- A color monitor, min. 15" capable of displaying 800x600 px
- 256 MB of RAM, at least 5 MB of available hard drive space
- A printer attached to your computer
Graduate
ED 589: Advanced Classroom Management: Children as Change Agents©
This course is geared primarily for professionals (e.g., regular or special educators, instructional assistants, school psychologist, counselors) serving children and youths presenting behavior problems in the school or community. This course focuses on cognitive and cognitive-behavioral interventions (often lumped together under the rubric "social skills") with an emphasis on teaching students how to change and manage their own behavior. Since previous knowledge and understanding of traditional behavioral (operant) concepts and strategies is required, it is strongly recommended that you take an introductory behavior management course, such as the VESI course, Behavior is Language: Strategies for Managing Disruptive Behavior, to learn the basic terms and concepts of behavior management prior to taking this "advanced" course. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Attention Deficit Disorder: Information & Interventions for Effective Teaching©
This course will help you achieve a better understanding of ADD and intervention strategies to facilitate positive student change. The course covers the history of the disorder, accepted methods to assess and identify students with the disorder, and various methods, medications, and strategies that currently used to treat the disorder. For situations where a student needs services beyond what you can provide in the classroom, you will learn about the referral process for getting help for the student. Reference materials include a list of resources for both teachers and parents who would like more help or information about ADD or ADHD. View syllabus.
3 semester hours, tuition $435, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Autism & Asperger's Disorder: Information & Effective Intervention Strategies©
This course describes autism and Asperger's Disorder, including characteristics of these disorders, associated learning styles, communication weaknesses, and various intervention strategies. The course helps you make sense out of why individuals with autism spectrum disorders act the way they do, and what you can do to enhance more appropriate behavior. This course also lists resources for educators, related service personnel, and parents who want more help or information on autism and Asperger's Disorder. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Behavior Is Language: Strategies for Managing Disruptive Behavior©
This an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course designed to give you a new perspective on student behavior and effective tools for facilitating positive student change. Behavior is Language provides a developmental framework for understanding what students are trying to tell you through the "language" of their behavior. The course teaches behavioral techniques and intervention strategies that remediate disruptive behaviors, reduce power struggles while increasing classroom control, and reduce your workloads and burnout. This program helps you, as well as students, find creative, effective solutions to behavioral problems. This computer-based instruction course is a self-supporting program that provides instruction, structured practice, and evaluation all on your home or business computer. Information on installation and technical support can be found, and will be covered in detail, in the User Guide that accompanies your computer software. View syllabus.
3 semester hours, tuition $435, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Child Abuse: Working with Abused and Neglected Children©
Welcome to Working with Abused and Neglected Children and Adolescents, an interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course designed to help you identify and effectively teach students affected by child abuse and/or neglect. This course teaches you to recognize the signs of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect in students. It also discusses the specific factors that exist in families who abuse or neglect their children. A major emphasis in this course is on helping the participant understand the special learning needs of the abused or neglected child and how to meet those needs in the regular classroom. Working with parents and community agencies is also emphasized. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Drugs & Alcohol in School: Understanding Substance Use & Abuse©
Take this course to gain a more comprehensive understanding of alcohol, drugs, and their influences in your classroom. This course provides a contextual framework for understanding what students may be experiencing either through their own substance use or from the substance use of persons close to them. The course also provides a basic historical perspective of substance use along with the biological, psychological, and social factors that comprise the disease of addiction. Upon course completion, you will better understand the complex dynamics that contribute to this biological and social phenomenon. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Educational Assessment: Assessing Student Learning in the Classroom©
This course is designed to further develop the conceptual and technical skills required by teachers to help them identify their educational goals, and implement meaningful instructional strategies for effective learning by students with special needs. The focus of the course is on assessment for instructional programming and will outline procedures for designing or selecting, administering and interpreting, a variety of informal assessment measures typically used in schools. The presentation of assessment information in an acceptable format to parents and teachers is also be addressed. View syllabus. CD-ROM (see computer requirements at end of section).
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Inclusion
Working with Special Needs Students in Mainstream Classrooms©
This course is designed to help special and general educators gain a better understanding of inclusion, one of the current educational reform movements that advocates educating students with disabilities in the general education classrooms. Upon course completion, the learner will be able to define key concepts and terms, identify and describe federal legislature and court cases, and list and describe the federal definition of students entitled to special services. This course will also discuss the roles and responsibilities of educators in providing special services to students educated in inclusive classrooms. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Infant and Toddler Mental Health©
This interactive computer-based instruction (CBI) course designed to help you achieve a better understanding of infant and toddler mental health, child development, and strategies you can use to promote positive relationships with children and their families. This course provides information that will help you to understand and identify your role as a child care provider, educator, and early childhood professional. Infant and Toddler Mental Health will provide you with research-based information on child development, attachment, temperament, and curriculum. This course also lists resources for both teachers and parents who would like more help or information about infant and toddler mental health. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Learning Disabilities: Practical Information for Classroom Teachers©
This course describes diverse theoretical approaches to handling learning disabilities in the classroom and lays the foundation for sensitive, appropriate assessment and evaluation of students. In addition, the course covers program planning and implementation, stresses the importance of a close, positive partnership with parents or alternative caregivers, and explores methods for ensuring that the home-school axis is effective and meaningful. You will also learn about major trends and unresolved issues in the field of learning disabilities. View syllabus.
3 semester hours, tuition $435, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Reading Fundamentals I: Introduction to Scientifically-Based Research©
States that receive funds from the No Child Left Behind, Reading First Act need to ensure that teachers are qualified to teach reading. They must have a working knowledge of scientifically validated instructional programs and practices. According to Kilpatrick (2003), the most critical part of the Act is that there must be an increase in teachers' knowledge of the scientific process under which instructional programs are evaluated. (Note: A summary of this legislation regarding the use of scientifically-validated instructional materials appears in Course 2.) View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Reading Fundamentals II: Laying the Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction©
Reading is the cornerstone of an effective education. Without this skill we are limited in so many important life activities. We cannot access the newspaper, read the directions of a new recipe, enjoy a favorite novel, or read a prescription bottle of medication. The list goes on and on. Reading is tied to all other academic areas. Without reading, mathematics, writing, spelling, and the content areas such as science and social studies are difficult, if not impossible, to participate in or complete at an adequate level. College becomes out of the question and many jobs are simply out of reach because they require some basic level of reading or other skill that hinges on reading. An inability to read renders these individuals almost powerless in our society. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Reading Fundamentals III: The Elements of Effective Reading Instruction & Assessment©
The Reading First program focuses on implementing proven methods of early reading instruction in classrooms. Through Reading First, states and districts will receive support to apply scientifically based reading research-and the proven instructional and assessment tools consistent with this research-to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of third grade. The Reading First program will provide the necessary assistance to states and districts to establish research-based reading programs for students in kindergarten through third grade. Funds will also support a significant increase in professional development to ensure that all teachers have the skills they need to teach these reading programs effectively. Additionally, the program provides assistance to states and districts in preparing classroom teachers to screen, identify, and eliminate reading barriers facing their students (U.S. Department of Education, 2002, p. 1). View syllabus.
3 semester hours, tuition $435, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Talented and Gifted: Working with the High Achievers©
This course is designed to provide a foundation in talented and gifted education. It will provide individuals with the
knowledge and skills necessary to identify and serve TAG students through a planned program for intellectually gifted
and academically talented students within a framework of common practice based on current research. Students will gain
an understanding of the characteristics and needs of TAG students, current legislation as it relates to the education of
talented and gifted children in the USA, identification procedures, assessment options, programs and services models,
and curriculum modification options. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Teaching Diversity©
Designed to give the learner the knowledge, tools and dispositions to effectively facilitate a diverse classroom, this course teaches how to understand and identify differences in approaches to learning and performance, including different learning styles and ways in which students demonstrate learning. An emphasis in this course is on understanding how students' learning is influenced by individual experiences, talents, disabilities, gender, language, culture, family and community values. The learner is challenged to apply knowledge of the richness of contributions from our diverse society to the teaching field. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: The Effects of Stress & Trauma on Student Learning©
This course is designed to help classroom teachers, school counselors, and other educational personnel gain strategies to reach and teach students who have been affected by stress, trauma, and/or violence. Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of stress and trauma. Participants will explore how stress, violence, and trauma affect a student's learning, cognitive brain development, and social-emotional development. The short and long term consequences of being exposed to stress, trauma, or violence, as well as the social and family causes, will be reviewed. Participants will learn the dynamics of domestic violence and community violence. The educator's role in the intervention and prevention of violence will be discussed. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Understanding Aggression: Coping with Aggressive Behavior in the Classroom©
Understanding Aggression includes topics on violence, aggression in the classroom, youth gangs, aggression in sports and on television, how drugs and alcohol play a role in aggression and violence, and "hot spots" that tend to breed aggression and violence The course helps school personnel become more aware of the causes of aggression and ways to evaluate aggression and intervene before the aggression turns to violence in the schools. The course also speaks about aggression in our communities through driving, dating, sports, television, music and how these issues are dealt with in modern society. View syllabus.
3 semester hours, tuition $435, plus $95 for CD
ED 589: Violence in Schools: Identification, Prevention, and Intervention Strategies©
This course is designed to give you a better understanding of school violence and increase your intervention strategies. Taught by Dr., this course provides an overview of violence and the motivational purposes behind aggression. The correlation and impact of the media, community, and family upon violence is investigated. You will learn identification and intervention approaches to working with out-of-control behaviors. In addition, you will receive information about the national resources available for both parents and teachers. Upon successful completion of this course, you will have a better understanding of violence and the motivations behind the use of violence, as well as specific strategies to minimize the occurrence of violence in a school and community. View syllabus.
2 semester hours, tuition $290, plus $95 for CD
