M.Ed. Focus on Curriculum Innovation:
Developing Understanding and Pursuing New Concepts and Practices

Within our Curriculum Innovation focus, we provide individuals who work with curriculum in a variety of settings the opportunity to consciously develop or refine their theoretical, philosophical, pedagogical, and practical approaches to their work with curriculum in classrooms, schools and in broader contexts.  Through our courses, we invite graduate students to explore the important role of existing curriculum and push the boundaries of future development in the area of curriculum design and application.

Part of the motivation behind our program is the need to support the understanding and application of effective curriculum. The following statement from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education supports our belief in the need for innovation in curriculum.

Saskatchewan’s Educational partners have a long history of commitment to providing the best research-abased educational programs possible. This commitment, combined with high quality curriculum and instruction, effective assessment practices, a wide range of resources, and supportive families and communities, prepares students to live full and rewarding lives, embrace opportunities and challenges, and actively engage with their communities. (Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, 2010)

Course Offerings
To support our students we offer a flexible and diverse program of studies. We do our best to accommodate the hopes and desires of those returning to University to pursue graduate studies. Reflecting this stance, specific course offerings within our Curriculum Innovation focus include:

• ECUR 805.3 - Trends and Issues in Educational Research and Development
• ECUR 809.3 - Models and Methods for the Evaluation of Educational Programs
• ECUR 810.3 - Design and Practice of the Evaluation of Educational Programs
• ECUR 819.3 - Trends and Issues in Mathematics Education
• ECUR 830.3 - Research in Teaching Effectiveness
• ECUR 832.3 - Action Research Practicum
• ECUR 835.3 - Teachers and Children’s Identity Composition in Curriculum Making
• ECUR 843.3 - Reading Process and Practice
• ECUR 844.3 - Narrative Inquiry
• ECUR 870.3 - Literacy Education and Curriculum
• ECUR 898.3 or ECUR 899.6 Individual Reading Courses in Curriculum
  - For Specific 898/899 Titles please refer to Course Offerings
• ERES 845.3   Qualitative Research
• ERES 840.3   Quantitative Research

As well, M.Ed. students with a focus on Curriculum Innovation take the required courses that all students in the Department of Curriculum Studies take:

• ECUR 811.3 & ECUR 812.3: Principles and Practices of Curriculum Construction
• ERES 800.3: Introduction to Education Research Methods
• ECUR 990.0: Seminar in Curriculum Research
• GSR 960.0 and GSR 961.0: Ethics

M.Ed. Focus on Early Childhood Education:
Situating Children’s Learning in the Context of Families and Communities

Within our ECE focus, we provide individuals who work with young children in a variety of settings the opportunity to consciously develop or refine their theoretical, philosophical, pedagogical, and practical approaches to their work with children, parents, and families.  Through our courses, we invite graduate students to explore the underpinnings of high quality programs which collaboratively engage educators, children, and families in planning and facilitating healthy, safe, culturally sensitive, and stimulating curricula that promote children’s abilities and interests.

The place of parents, families, and communities is positioned as a central pillar in our course offerings in early childhood education.

The rationale for parent and community engagement in public education is obvious and clear. The children and schools are theirs. Parents are the primary educators both philosophically and practically, and for schools to succeed, for learning and well-being to be achieved, community support is required. (Saskatchewan School Boards Association, 2006, p. 2)

Course Offerings
Reflecting this stance, specific course offerings within our ECE focus include:

• ECUR 898.3 Re/Presenting Families in Schools
• ECUR 898.3 Engaging Parents in Teaching and Learning
• ECUR 805.3 Practicum in Parent and Family Engagement
• ECUR 898.3 An Examination of the Underpinnings of Early Childhood Education
• ECUR 877.3 Early Literacy Development.

As well, M.Ed. students with a focus on ECE take the required courses that all students in the Department of Curriculum Studies take:

• ECUR 811.3 & ECUR 812.3: Principles and Practices of Curriculum Construction
• ERES 800.3: Introduction to Education Research Methods
• ECUR 990.0: Seminar in Curriculum Research
• GSR 960.0 and GSR 961.0: Ethics