Character Education in the Classroom

Course Description

Character Education in the Classroom examines the role of educators in developing moral and ethical behavior in students by assisting teachers in defining and identifying character traits that would be important in their school. Character education has become a very popular theme in education since the 1990’s because of the increase of violence in schools, discipline concerns, and a national call to action for character education.   

Educators will explore different theories of moral development and identify skills that can be integrated into the classroom.   Practical application of the concepts shared is an important part of this course.  Teachers will prepare lessons/vignettes that they will use in their classrooms.  They will analyze and critique these lessons to see the value of promoting character development in students. 

Another aspect of this course is the concept that the teacher can be an effective model for their students.  Therefore, teachers will identify their own personal character strengths and explore how these strengths work to aid the teacher when problems occur in the classroom.  

It is the intent of the author that this course stretch beyond the classroom and that character education be developed into not only a school wide program but involve the community as well.  Exploring avenues to involve the entire school, parents, and the community are addressed in this course.

Objectives

Participants will develop skills to:

• Examine the need for character development in schools

• Explore historical perspectives on education

• Discover avenues to create a moral community in the classroom

• Identify the teacher’s role in the process of fostering the character of his/her   students

• Develop and implement classroom activities that promote character development

• Analyze and critique classroom curriculum in relationship to incorporating character development

• Establish guidelines for studying controversial issues

• Develop a plan for moral disciplining of students

• Identify ways to develop character through conflict and problem solving

• Explore the process of building a school-wide character education program

• Examine ways of engaging parents in promoting the character of their children

• Explore community involvement in supporting moral development in schools

Curriculum Design

The basic methodology is experiential through work on prescribed topics, issues, and practical application of shared concepts.  Participants will prepare, analyze, and critique lessons that can be used to promote character development within the students in their classrooms. 

Time Requirements

Character Education is a 13 week 3 credit graduate level or sixty hour professional development course taught online. Modules 1 through 9 will be completed one per week. Module 10 will be completed over a two-week period so students will have time to revise and complete the final integration project.

Hardware & Computer Skills Requirements

Students may use either a Macintosh computer or a PC with Windows 95 or higher. Students should possess basic word processing skills and have internet access with an active e-mail account. Students also are expected to have a basic knowledge of how to use a Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer or America Online's (AOL) browser. To download a browser at no cost, visit one of the following Web sites – Netscape.com; Microsoft.com and AOL.com.

Course Materials

The required textbook for this course is Educating for Character – How Our Schools Can Teach Respect and Responsibility by Thomas Lickona. The textbook and course materials will be provided for all students. A variety of readings will be referenced throughout the course. Other supplemental readings will be provided.

Session Outline
Module 1: Setting the Stage - The Case for Character Education
Objectives: 

·        Defining character

·        Identifying the components of character

·        Exploring the importance of character education

·        Examining the school’s involvement in character education

Module 2: Encouraging Moral Reflection
Objectives: 

·        Identifying historical perspectives on education

·        Exploring Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development

·        Gaining understanding of the need for moral development

·        Identifying skills that can be integrated into the classroom

Module 3: Creating a Moral Community in the Classroom
Objectives:  

·        Examining the teacher’s role in the classroom environment

·        Helping students connect with each other

·        Discovering ways to help students care for each other

·        Improving the quality of group interaction

Module 4: The Teacher's Role in Nurturing Character
Objectives:  

·        Examining the six E's of character training

·        Exploring the virtues that promote commitment

·        Understanding how to respond when kids don't know the answer

Module 5: Cultivating Character through Curriculum
Objectives: 

·        Examining the curriculum - What is most worth knowing?

·        Identifying where character education fits

·        Developing lessons that teach moral literacy

Module 6: Teaching Controversial Issues
Objectives:

·        Structuring moral discussions

·        Exploring whether teachers should express their own views

·        Establishing guidelines for studying controversial issues

Module 7: A Morally Disciplined Classroom
Objectives: 

·        Understanding the role of the teacher as the moral authority in the classroom

·        Setting up classroom rules

·        Dealing with the consequences of broken rules

Module 8: Developing Character through Conflict
Objectives:

·        Understanding self-control in a morally disciplined classroom

·        Recognizing the role of perceptions in evaluating values

·        Assessing discipline, control and problem solving

Module 9: Building a Community of Virtue School-Wide
Objectives: 

·        Assessing a schools character education program

·        Identifying key elements for effective programs

·        Examining the mission statement

·        Creating a positive moral culture in the school

Module 10: Engaging Parents and the Community in Character Education
Objectives:  

·        Exploring changes that have affected the home-school partnership

·        Promoting moral conversations between parents and children

·        Encouraging parents in leadership roles

·         Identifying means of soliciting community involvement

Grading

Student Requirements

	1.	Participation: Actively participate in all Forum activities.
	2.	Reading Assignments: Complete all readings and reflection assignments.
	3.	Complete the Classroom Lessons project.
	4.	Write a paper assessing the school’s climate.

Student Academic Integrity
Participants guarantee that all academic class work is original. Any academic dishonesty or plagiarism (to take ideas, writings, etc. from another and offer them as one's own), is a violation of student academic behavior standards as outlined by our partnering colleges and universities and is subject to academic disciplinary action.

Register
To register to take TEI's Character Education in the Classroom online graduate course, go to the Course Registration page.