NCE Professional Development

When the going gets tough, the tough go to NCE for professional development courses. Now is not the time to stand still and hope for the best. It's time to get better credentials, be better prepared and get what you need to be the best educator you can be in these challenging times.

Now is the time to look to the professionals who really are the leaders in their fields. Educators who invented best practices. Teachers who aren't satisfied with the status quo and who still believe that they can do more for the children in their classrooms. A college of education that specializes in adult learners—and faculty who have been trained by some of the best teachers in Chicago and across the country.

Now is the time to invest in your career. In your profession. In education. In you. So invest wisely. The Center for Professional Development at the National College of Education. It's worth your time. Now. More than ever.

Registration Information

Important Registration Information

Students may register at any campus Registrar's Office using the NLU graduate registration form. If paying with a credit card, you may also FAX your registration to 847.465.4746. Current NLU students may also register via the web. Go to www.nl.edu. Follow the instructions to log on and register for classes. If you receive financial aid/student loans please write “FINANCIAL AID” at the top of your registration form. Remember to register early. Workshops and classes with low enrollment, regardless of the start date, will be canceled during the week of January 4, 2010. For questions regarding the Center for Professional Development workshops, contact Sheri Israelsen or Kerrie Butler at 847.947.5247.

New and Current Students

• Option 1: in person at the Registrar's Office on any of NLU's campuses using the NLU graduate registration form. (download now)
• Option 2: if paying with a credit card, FAX your registration to 847.465.4746.
• Option 3: register online.
• Remember to register early. Workshops and classes with low enrollment, regardless of the start date, will be canceled during the week of January 4, 2010.
• Questions? Contact Sheri Israelsen or Kerrie Butler at 847.947.5247.

Important Dates: Fall 2009 Term

• 9.04.09–Deadline for Mail-in Registration
• 9.11.09–Deadline for Walk-in/Faxed Registration
• 9.14.09–Fall Term Begins
• 11.26.09, 11.27.09–University Closed, Thanksgiving Day Day observed

Important Dates: Winter 2010 Term

• 12.23.09–Deadline for Mail-in Registration
• 12.24.09–1.3.10–University Closed, Winter Break
• 1.8.10–Deadline for Walk-in/Faxed Registration
• 1.11.10–Winter Term Begins

Tuition Rates

Fall 2009 and Winter 2010—Graduate $327 per semester hour for all workshops. MC, Visa, Discover, AE are accepted for tuition payment.

Course Credit and Book Information

The number that follows the title of the course of workshop is the number of semester hours (sh) you can earn for it. A maximum of 15sh of CPD and transfer credit (approved) may be applied toward master's degree requirements or toward the C.A.S. program. Workshops are not offered for the purpose of satisfying course requirements for initial and/or additional certification. Advisor approval is necessary in order to apply workshop credit to a degree.

NEW NLU Virtual Bookstore
eCampus.com

Elgin, North Shore, Lisle and Wheeling campus students
eCampus.com
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toll free: 877.284.6744 ext. 5255 or 859.514.5255
email: Erica Ethington
fax: 859.514.6826
business hours: 9am–5pm EST, shop online 24/7
forms of payment: Credit/Debit Cards: MC, Visa, Discover, AE
Orders are shipped from eCampus within 24 hours
(excluding weekends and holidays)

Where would you like to learn?

• On Campus

  • Chicago

    122 South Michigan, Chicago, IL 60603
    Check back often for updates and additions

    • MHE450 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (3sh)

      This is a mathematics content course for prospective and inservice elementary school teachers. It addresses the concepts of a comprehensive elementary and middle school mathematics curriculum through reasoning and problem solving in the areas of patterns, number, geometry, measurement, data and chance. This course can be used to eliminate a general education mathematics deficiency and/or used towards an endorsement in teaching middle school mathematics.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11068
      Sat., 1/16—3/27, 9:00am—1:00pm
      Instructor: D. Raabe
      

    • TIE585AC | Integrating Web 2.0 Applications into the Classroom (1sh)

      User generated content has driven the current wave of technology innovation delivered via the Internet. Many web-based applications, hereby known as Web 2.0 applications, have been developed in recent years, serving as a platform for social communication and collaboration. During the workshop, teachers will explore various online resources with a focus on implications for both professional and personal productivity. Participants will explore items such as wikis, podcasts, blogs, newsreaders, maps, start pages and online services for sharing documents, pictures and slideware presentations and will develop insight into how these applications can be used in the classroom with students.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11094
      Sat., 1/30 and 2/6, 9:00am—4:30pm
      Instructor: C. Cunningham
      

  • Elgin

    No programs listed at this time.

  • Lisle

    850 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL 60532
    Check back often for updates and additions

    • MHE501 | Topics in Mathematics for Teachers: Number Concepts and Operations in the Elementary Middle School Mathematics Curriculum (3sh)

      This is a mathematics course for prospective and inservice teachers. It addresses the concepts of number and its operations as they occur in a comprehensive elementary and middle school mathematics curriculum using reasoning, problem solving, and technology to understand its historical development as well as its applications in the areas of geometry, measurement, and data and chance. Opportunities to see how number is essential to understanding other subject areas are included. This course can be used to eliminate a general education mathematics deficiency and/or used towards an endorsement in teaching middle school mathematics.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11073
      Mon., 1/11–3/22, 5:00pm–9:00pm
      Instructor: E. Bazik

    • TIE584Q | Workshop/TIE/Curriculum Materials/Google Applications in Education (1sh)

      During this hands-on workshop, participants will learn and create projects and lessons using resources available free from Google. Learn strategies for incorporating iGoogle for content management, Google Earth, Google Maps and Google Sky for inquiry based projects, develop your own customizable search engine for your class and create collaborative projects with Google Docs.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11283
      Sat., 3/13 and 3/20, 9:00am–4:00pm
      Instructor: L. Gray

  • Skokie

    5202 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077

    • RLR595T | Special Topics in Reading: Materials for Struggling and At-Risk Readers (1sh)

      The purpose of this course is to facilitate knowledgeable, purposeful selection and use of materials for reading instruction, and to view these materials through the eyes of at-risk and struggling readers, K-12. Participants will evaluate text based upon the intents and purposes of the author and publisher and the text's actual features that support or challenge the struggling reader. The goals of skill development and motivation will be used to think about text features. Strategies for using materials effectively to meet the needs of struggling readers will be shared. Participants will evaluate the collections in their own classrooms and schools in terms of availability and access.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11095
      Sat., 2/6 & 2/27, 8:30am–3:30pm
      Instructor: A. Bates

    • MHE501 | Topics in Mathematics for Teachers: Number Concepts and Operations in the Elementary Middle School Mathematics Curriculum (3sh)

      This is a mathematics course for prospective and inservice teachers. It addresses the concepts of number and its operations as they occur in a comprehensive elementary and middle school mathematics curriculum using reasoning, problem solving, and technology to understand its historical development as well as its applications in the areas of geometry, measurement, and data and chance. Opportunities to see how number is essential to understanding other subject areas are included. This course can be used to eliminate a general education mathematics deficiency and/or used towards an endorsement in teaching middle school mathematics.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11071
      Tues., 1/12–3/23, 5:00pm–9:00pm
      Instructor: E. Goldberg

  • Wheeling

    1000 Capitol Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090

    • MHE450 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (3sh)

      This is a mathematics content course for prospective and inservice elementary school teachers. It addresses the concepts of a comprehensive elementary and middle school mathematics curriculum through reasoning and problem solving in the areas of patterns, number, geometry, measurement, data and chance. This course can be used to eliminate a general education mathematics deficiency and/or used towards an endorsement in teaching middle school mathematics.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11074
      Wed., 1/13–3/24, 5:00pm–9:00pm
      Instructor: L. Horwitz

• Off Campus

  • Brookfield Zoo/Chicago Zoological Society

    3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513
    Contact: Lanis Petrik 708.688.8372 or Lanis.Petrik@czs.org
    Check back often for updates and additions

    • SCE585JW | WS/Science Ed/Exploring Rainforests (1sh)

      Spend one Saturday at Chicago Botanic Garden and one Saturday at Brookfield Zoo and learn about rainforests worldwide—why they're important, why some are disappearing, and why we want to protect them. Join educators at Chicago Botanic Garden in the warm, steamy greenhouses to explore rainforest plants and their adaptations. At Brookfield Zoo, seek out animals of the rainforest in our cozy rainforest exhibits and learn about their adaptations for survival. At both places, learn hands-on art and science activities for use in the classroom. Teachers will explore rainforests through classroom activities that relate to language arts, math, science, social studies and fine arts. Please bring a sack lunch each day of the workshop. Upon registration, maps & driving directions will be emailed to participants.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11062
      Sat., 1/23, 8:30am–4:30pm at Chicago Botanic Garden
      Sat., 1/30, 8:30am–4:30pm at Brookfield Zoo
      Instructor: L. Petrik

    • SCE582BR | WS/Science Ed/Topic/Species or Taxon: Return of the Wolves (1sh)

      Course participants will join staff and scientists from Brookfield Zoo as they explore a species (such as wolves) or taxon (comprised of related species) of animals. Topics of study will include: status in the wild, effects of human interactions, captive care and breeding programs, husbandry issues, research (both in situ and in captivity) projects, and methods for teaching about the species or taxon in the classroom or focused field trip setting. Wolves! People love them or hate them! What is the truth about Fido's closest relative? Join us as we learn about wolves at Brookfield Zoo's Regenstein Wolf Woods. We will look at wolves: the facts, the myths, the research and the perspectives (positive and negative) of people who live among them. Ron Ream our own resident wolf expert will tell stories of his wolf research in Yellowstone National Park. We'll discover wolf behavior, research, problem based learning and more. Participants receive our Return of the Wolves curriculum. Pre and post visit curriculum materials include a CD with text activities that can be modified for vision impaired students. Please bring a sack lunch each day of the workshop. Upon registration, maps & driving directions will be emailed to participants.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11063
      Sat., 2/6, 8:00am–5:00pm at Brookfield Zoo
      Sun., 2/7, 11:00am–5:00pm at Brookfield Zoo
      Instructor: L. Petrik

    • SCE585AN | WS/Science Ed/Endangered Species (1sh)

      The natural world is under pressure from human population growth and accompanying habitat loss, pollution, over-consumption, and introduced species. This class will introduce teachers to the major causes of species extinction and extirpation. Participants will also learn about positive actions, which they and their students, might choose to achieve a sustainable relationship with the natural world. Participants will also synthesize class experiences and information into the development of science curriculum.
      
      This class examines the causes of species destruction, the ways in which human actions impact wildlife, and the Species Survival Programs which are working to save endangered species. Activities will focus on decision making skills, cooperative learning and the development of alternative assessments. You'll receive the Species Survival Plan curriculum and your own CD of great animal images. Please bring a sack lunch each day of the workshop. Upon registration, maps & driving directions will be emailed to participants.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11064
      Fri., 2/19, 4:00pm–10:00pm at Brookfield Zoo
      Sat., 2/20, 8:00am–5:30pm at Brookfield Zoo
      Instructor: L. Petrik

    • SCE585AO | WS/Science Ed/Every Student a Scientist: Primate Populations (1sh)

      Grades 5–12. Accessible versions of Brookfield Zoo curricula are designed for teachers of inclusion classroom students with auditory, visual and physical disabilities. Participants will use portable computers to do animal observations. They will examine curriculum activities that can be enlarged for visually challenged students, and examine other methods and materials. Participants will learn how to create experiences where students learn on a "level playing field." They will be introduced to teaching in a focused field trip setting for diverse student abilities. Participants will synthesize class experiences and information into curriculum plans and develop focused field trip plans for their classrooms.
      
      Primates are among the most beloved and endangered animals on Earth. To help them, scientists need to learn about them. You'll see how students learn how to make detailed behavioral observations, just like researchers studying world primates, using interactive PCs to observe the primates at tropic World. A perfect class for inclusion classrooms having students with auditory, visual or physical disabilities. Receive the ESS: Primate Populations curricula and videos. Please bring a sack lunch each day of the workshop. Upon registration, maps & driving directions will be emailed to participants.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11066
      Fri., 3/19, 4:00pm–10:00pm at Brookfield Zoo
      Sat., 3/20, 8:00am–5:30pm at Brookfield Zoo
      Instructor: L. Petrik

  • Eugene Field School—CPS Area 2

    7019 N. Ashland | Chicago, IL 60626

    • SCE512 | Biology for Teachers (3sh)

      This course examines content in the biological sciences representative of the K–8 science curriculum using a constructivist, laboratory–based approach, including the study of organisms and their anatomy, physiology and genetics. Special attention is given to new developments and discoveries in various fields, such as genetic engineering. Opportunities provided for in–depth investigation of a particular area.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11091
      Wed., 1/13–3/24, 4:00pm–7:00pm at Eugene Field School
      Instructor: L. Coirier

  • Spring Valley Nature Center

    1111 East Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60194
    Contact: Mary Rice 847.985.2100 or marice@parkfun.com

    • SCE582CK | WS/Science Ed/Topic/Seasonal Studies: Reading the Winter Landscape (1sh)

      The class explores the concept of change in the natural world: how plants and animals deal with the changing seasons, and with our changing world. Activities are designed to help participants understand and observe: the changing seasons, seasonal changes in animals and plants, growth and metamorphosis. The class also focuses on the changes that humans have caused and how to prepare students to be environmentally responsible citizens. Participants will synthesize class experiences and information into the development of science curriculum.
      
      Winter isn't just cold, wet and white! Explore winter's incredible variations and colors with staff from Brookfield Zoo and Spring Valley Nature Center. Learn what makes winter so important to the plants and animals living in Chicago Wilderness. Become an expert on mammal adaptations. Use math and science skills to identify animal signs, tracks, and scat. Broaden your observation and descriptive skills while playing with ice and snow. Become familiar with Illinois winter related resources. Use literature to broaden your experience of seasonal change and take home a sled-full of ideas and activities. (Teachers receive 2 great books in this class!) Please bring a sack lunch each day of the workshop. Upon registration, maps & driving directions will be emailed to participants.

      Additional Details
      CRN: 11065
      Fri., 2/26, 4:00pm–10:00pm at Spring Valley Nature Center
      Sat., 2/27, 8:00am–5:30pm at Spring Valley Nature Center
      Instructor: L. Petrik

• Online

  • SPE525 | Child Word-Finding: Intervention for Students with Language and Learning Disabilities (2sh)

    This course is focused on programming models for children and adolescents challenged with Word-Finding. It provides an in-depth study of: 1) definition, characteristics and word-finding profiles representative of this population; 2) psycholinguistic models of lexical access; 3) differential diagnosis of semantic versus phonemic word finding errors; 4) retrieval strategy instruction; 5) word finding accommodations in the classroom; and 6) self advocacy instruction. The relationship between oral retrieval, oral reading and written language is also considered.
    
    Prerequisite: SPE 500 or equivalent
    
    Contact dgerman@nl.edu to complete online orientation as soon as you register.

    Additional Details
    CRN: 11093
    Online: Tues. 1/19–2/16, final assignment due 3/2
    Online orientation required
    Instructor: D. German
    Questions: dgerman@nl.edu or ext. 5991

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