| As educational careers and instructional certifications | | | | instructors to better implement practical solutions to |
| become more specialized, education graduate | | | | problems encountered both inside and out of the |
| programs are reflecting this by encouraging students | | | | classroom. There are plenty of related concentrations |
| to declare a concentration within their education | | | | in education that are associated with curriculum and |
| degree program. A concentration makes educators | | | | classroom methodologies that can also benefit |
| more attractive, often broadening their career | | | | administrators, curriculum developers and department |
| prospects and better preparing them to meet the | | | | heads, among others. In addition, various teacher |
| challenges of being an education professional. | | | | certifications are contingent upon completing |
| While it's typical for a student to declare a minor in a | | | | concentrations like curriculum and instruction strategies. |
| different field altogether-say, an international trade law | | | | Inclusion |
| major might choose a minor such as Chinese language | | | | As a practical theory, inclusion is another name for (or |
| if he or she intends to work within the Asian | | | | synonymous with) what may have been formerly |
| marketplace-a concentration is often closely linked with | | | | known as "special education". New educational models |
| the major, more tailored to a specific job description. | | | | emphasize the inclusion of special needs children in the |
| Someone looking to establish a career related to | | | | traditional classroom-built around the premise that |
| electronic teaching methods and new media in | | | | children who learn together, learn to live together. A |
| education, for instance, might pursue a masters degree | | | | concentration in inclusion is designed to provide K-12 |
| in education with a concentration in distance learning, or | | | | classroom teachers and administrators with critical |
| instructional technology. | | | | theory and practical knowledge related to special |
| Credit hour requirements for concentrations vary | | | | education inclusion-offering educators the opportunity |
| greatly; programs typically require anywhere between | | | | to study and improve upon professional practices, and |
| 12 credit hours and 36 credit hours to complete degree | | | | in some cases, receive special education teacher |
| requirements for a concentration within the primary | | | | certification as well. |
| degree program. This varies from one institution to the | | | | Language and Literacy |
| next, and of course, is dependent on the nature of the | | | | Concentrations emphasizing reading, writing and |
| concentration itself. | | | | literacy allow students to focus their attention on the |
| Let's take a look at a few education degree programs | | | | study of how people develop, communicate and |
| and concentrations to see what's out there, and to | | | | process written and spoken languages. This field |
| help you better understand how selecting an education | | | | explores complex relationships between these |
| concentration might best serve your goals. | | | | developmental processes, and how they reflect and |
| Educational Technology | | | | relate to institutions, communities and cultures. Naturally, |
| Instructional or educational technology is a growing field | | | | this field appeals to teachers of language and writing, |
| that emphasizes the use of technology in education, | | | | but also has crossover value to those involved in |
| both in the classroom and as a platform for distance | | | | studying new communication methods, particularly as |
| learning programs. It encourages the design and | | | | they relate to technological advancement and |
| implementation of a wide variety of tools to facilitate | | | | ever-changing modes of communication. A |
| and advance students' potential for learning. With | | | | concentration in language and literacy can prepare |
| modern curricula being built around the use of digital | | | | students for a broad array of career options, and also |
| technology and new media, a master's degree in | | | | puts the graduate student in touch with the most |
| education with a concentration in educational | | | | fundamental elements of education: language and |
| technology provides teachers with a valuable | | | | communication. The International Reading Association |
| technological skill set and a solid working knowledge of | | | | offers an excellent online resource, full of journals, |
| e-learning methods. Those who understand and | | | | publications and helpful Web tools for literacy and |
| embrace these emerging learning methods are in high | | | | language professionals worldwide. |
| demand these days, whether it be in education or in | | | | Hopefully this article has generated some ideas and |
| private and corporate settings. Check out the | | | | gotten you thinking about how you can augment your |
| International Society for Technology in Education's | | | | education graduate program with a |
| Educator's Resource page to learn more about this | | | | concentration-maybe you had already considered |
| exciting, ever-changing field. | | | | exploring one of the concentrations listed above. Again, |
| Curriculum and Instruction Strategies | | | | it's important to remember that specialization is the |
| A masters degree in education with a concentration in | | | | name of the game now, and while you're beginning to |
| curriculum and instruction strategies can help teachers | | | | pursue a graduate degree in education, give some |
| improve and strengthen their classroom practices. | | | | serious consideration to setting yourself up with a |
| Exploring such areas as student literacy, inclusion and | | | | concentration of study; you'll be that much more |
| educational leadership, this concentration helps prepare | | | | successful and fulfilled as an educator in the long run. |