MLMED - Program
The MEd in Secondary/Elementary Education with a Middle Level Emphasis (MLMED) in the University of Hawai'i Manoa College of Education is developing a solid, local knowledge base, and leadership cadre in early adolescent education. The MLMED is based on the Professional Standards for Teachers of Early Adolescents which call for developmentally and culturally appropriate educational practices for early adolescents (10-15 year olds). The MLMED applies and demonstrates the best of middle level educational practice.
Because of the cohort structure, admission only occurs during even-numbered years, except by special arrangement.
Program Features:
Interdisciplinary Team - A diverse faculty team integrates learning within and across courses, similar to a middle school team.
Lori Gomez Debbie Leong Marion Muller Jeanne Korotsky Debi Tisdell |
Home Base Faculty Advisor Home Base Faculty Advisor Home Base Faculty Advisor Home Base Faculty Advisor Home Base Faculty Advisor |
Paul Deering |
Coordinator |
Cohort Structure - Students move togther through the Required Cohort Program of Studies with the faculty team, like a middle school team. Faculty and students collaborate as a community of learners.
Home Base Groups - Like a middle level advisory group: About six students from the same or nearby schools are a Home Base, acting as a support group; they meet monthly with their Faculty Advisor.
Program of Studies:
Standards-based Learning and Teaching - All courses and experiences are tied to the Professional Standards for Teachers of Early Adolescents.
Required Cohort Core - Students take a common core coursework with the cohort, similar to a middle school's academic core.
Cognate/Exploratory Area - Students choose cognates (minor emphases) to pursue individual interests, similar to a middle level exploratory program.
Program Strands:
The MLMED faculty collaborate with participants to learn about and practice excellent educational approaches. To that end, the following "strands," are woven into all courses and experiences.
Effective Practice - The MLMED faculty are committed to practicing and modeling excellence, and to helping students do so. Among the research-based effective practices employed are:
Active Learning, Resource-Building, Teaming/Community, Student-Directed Learning, Interdisciplinary Curriculum Building & Maintaining
Teacher Friendly - On-campus site (easy access and parking); School-year courses: once a month for Maui Cohort (Friday evening and Saturday), once a week and one Wednesday per month for Oahu cohort. Summer classes in afternoon to allow for summer school teaching (when possible). Personalized approach combined with online work. Home-Bases provide food, friendship, support at classes -- nourishment and community.
Reflective Journals, Inquiry Learning, Portfolio Assessment as Plan-B Project (recommended instead of thesis)
Leadership within the Professional Community - The MLMED is committed to widespread improvement in the education of early adolescents. All participants are called upon to facilitate school renewal within and beyond their immediate professional contexts. Schools with faculty in the MLMED are considered program participants, as their faculty/participants study teir schools and undertake renewal/innovation projects. All student/participants develop competence at sharing their expertise in varied genres and contexts -- written and oral.
Writing: Analytical, technical, narrative forms; publications, grants
Presentations: Formal and Informal presentations - Faculty/Student/Parent meetings and seminars; Conferences