Courses and Workshops

 

 Current Course Offerings

2012 Spring Registration Form

2012 Summer Course Registration and Information click here

Spring 2012 Online Professional Development Courses
Ashland Centers for Economic Education and Financial Literacy

All of our courses are delivered using “Angel”, Ashland’s on-line distance learning system. The courses are designed to have schedule flexibility within the time frames indicated – making them a good choice for fitting professional development activities into busy home and work lives!

Having an active email account (home or school) is a requirement. To effectively use Angel, you’ll need to have access to Internet Explorer 7 or higher, or Mozilla’s Firefox 2 or 3 or another reliable Internet provider. System requirements: Ajax, Cookies, Java, Javascript, Pop-ups; Plugins Needed: Acrobat Reader 7, Flash Player 10, Quicktime Player 6, Windows Media.

Online Courses

Origins of the Cold War: 1945-1949

Although the alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union had brought victory in World War II, wartime cooperation meant glossing over many serious differences between the two. Agreements regarding the postwar world were reached at Yalta and Potsdam, but the Soviets wasted no time in violating them. After driving German forces out of Eastern Europe they set about creating communist puppet states throughout the region, apparently ignoring their promises to allow democratic elections there. Having just won a world war, they seemed intent on setting the stage for another. Truman decided on a strategy known as "containment," in which the Soviets would be prevented—militarily if necessary—from using force to export their ideology abroad. Containment would, in fact, remain the cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for the next fifty years. The "Cold War" is exactly the term that has come to define the entire period from 1945 to 1989. You will learn how the Cold War began, from the agreements reached at Yalta and Potsdam in 1945 through the formation of NATO in 1949. Geared to Grades 9-12

DATES: February 20-April 27, 2012
CREDIT: 2 Graduate Semester Hours
TUITION: $350 + $30 Technology Fee = $380
INSTRUCTOR: Linda Spencer - LSpence1@ashland.edu

The Great Depression

The Great Depression was the worst economic disaster in U.S. history. Factories closed down, about a quarter of the workforce was unemployed (with many more finding only part-time work), stock prices plummeted and thousands of banks failed. The Depression involved every part of the country and every sector of our economy, and its impact was felt globally, as well. History holds many economic lessons. The Great Depression, in particular, is an event that provides the opportunity to teach and learn a great deal about economics— whether you’re studying the economic reasons that the Depression took place, the factors that helped it come to an end or the impact on Americans who lived through it. This course is designed to provide teachers with economic lessons that they can share with their students to help them understand this significant experience in U.S. history. Geared to Grades 9-12

DATES: February 27-May 4, 2012
CREDIT: 2 Graduate Semester Hours
TUITION: $350 + $30 Technology Fee = $380
INSTRUCTOR: Linda Spencer - LSpence1@ashland.edu

Do A Zoo

Do A Zoo is a curriculum developed for K-2 students. They learn about animal classification by sorting stuffed animals. They work with partners to learn more about various animals and to create zoo structures. Then they invite visitors to the zoo to see the animals, eat popcorn and ride the train. Do A Zoo addresses goods and services, decision-making, opportunity cost, resources, work skills, producers and human capital development. Curriculum guide included. Geared to Grades K-2

DATES: February 27-May 4, 2012
CREDIT: 2 Graduate Semester Hours
TUITION: $350 + $30 (Technology Fee) + $28 (Curriculum Guide) = $408
INSTRUCTOR: Linda Spencer - LSpence1@ashland.edu

Before and Beyond the Constitution: What Should a President Do?

At the time the Founders were shaping the future of a new country, John Adams suggested the President should be addressed as "His Excellency." Happily, others recognized that such a title was inappropriate. Though the proper form of address represents only a small detail, defining everything about the Presidency was central to the idea of America that was a work-in-progress when the nation was young. How was the role of "President" defined in the Constitution? What important developments occurred during George Washington's tenure as the first "President of the United States”? How did they affect the future of the U.S. and the office of President? George Washington became President-reluctantly-at a critical time in the history of the United States. The Confederation had threatened to unravel; the weak central government (which included a weak executive with the sole responsibility of presiding over meetings of Congress and no special power to initiate laws beyond that of any member of Congress, enforce laws, or check acts of Congress) created by the Articles of Confederation had failed. As part of its goal to form a “more perfect” government, The Constitution of the United States defined a new role for the executive, the President, in a much stronger federal system. However, a definition on paper and a President in practice could be two very different things. Review the responsibilities and powers of the President as intended by the Founders and as practiced during Washington's precedent-setting terms in office. Geared to Grades 6-8

DATES: February 27-March 30, 2012
CREDIT: 1 Graduate Semester Hour
TUITION: $175 + $15 Technology Fee = $190
INSTRUCTOR: Linda Spencer - LSpence1@ashland.edu

Personal Finance Literacy for all Ages

As consumers, students of all ages need to make rational financial decisions. They should be weighing the tangible and intangible costs and benefits of each choice and understanding that for every choice selected, there is an opportunity cost associated with the next best alternative. Personal budgets, basic plans and thoughtful goals about how to spend – or save – funds from an allowance, gifts, or jobs are critical to establishing appropriate money habits and becoming financially responsible at any age. Our experience shows that educators held accountable for teaching personal finance courses have little formal training in the content areas. This course will serve to close the knowledge gap and provide you relevant, engaging resources to use with your students. Each content module drills down into products, services, issues and information which will support the student’s ability to make rational, informed decisions about specific personal finance subjects important to effective goal setting/achievement and sound financial management practices.

DATES: February 27-May 4, 2012
CREDIT: 2 Graduate Semester Hours
TUITION: $350 + $30 (Technology Fee) =$380
INSTRUCTOR: Paula Aveni – paveni@ashland.edu

Personal Finance: Elementary Connections

Economics and Personal Finance? In elementary school? "My students are way too young to understand things like opportunity cost, trade or credit," you're probably saying. But are they too young? Or is now the perfect time to introduce them to economics and personal finance? It's never too early to start teaching personal finance. By learning key money management skills at an early age, your students are more likely to grasp concepts quicker and develop positive habits early. Your students will explore healthy spending and saving habits right from the get-go, and prepare for a sustainable financial future. Find out how to build an economic and personal finance foundation for your students with fun activities and lessons. Geared to Grades 3-5

DATES: March 5-May 11, 2012
CREDIT: 2 Graduate Semester Hours
TUITION: $350 + $30 Technology Fee = $380
INSTRUCTOR: Linda Spencer - LSpence1@ashland.edu

Seas, Trees and Economies

With lesson like The Jabawa Trees of Island Breeze, Eggs-ternal Costs, and The Lorax and What the Lore Lacks, how could Seas, Trees, and Economies be anything but fun! Great content as well that fosters engaging discussions and a better understanding of natural resource use. Students generally fail to see the contradiction in asking loggers to "spare those trees," while asking contractors to "build more and better homes." Both worthy desires, yet the size of our natural environment is limited. Important environmental and economics concepts will help build critical rationale thinking and decision making skills. Curriculum guide included. Geared to Grades 3-6; adaptable to Grade 7-8 concepts

DATES: March 12-May 18, 2012
CREDIT: 2 Graduate Semester Hours
TUITION: $350 + $30 (Technology Fee) + $28 (Curriculum Guide) = $408
INSTRUCTOR: Linda Spencer - LSpence1@ashland.edu

Courses are graded “Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory” unless arrangements for a letter grade are made ahead of time with the instructor.

Having an active email account (home or school) is a requirement to enroll in an online course. To effectively use Angel, our distance learning system, you’ll need to have access to Internet Explorer 7 or higher, or Mozilla’s Firefox 2 or 3 or another reliable Internet provider. System requirements: Ajax, Cookies, Java, Javascript, Pop-ups; Plugins Needed: Acrobat Reader 7, Flash Player 10, Quicktime Player 6, Windows Media.

All of our courses are delivered using “Angel”, Ashland’s on-line distance learning system. The courses are designed to have schedule flexibility within the time frames indicated – making them a good choice for fitting professional development activities into busy home and work lives!
Having an active email account (home or school) is a requirement. To effectively use Angel, you’ll need to have access to Internet Explorer 7 or higher, or Mozilla’s Firefox 2 or 3 or another reliable Internet provider. System requirements: Ajax, Cookies, Java, Javascript, Pop-ups; Plugins Needed: Acrobat Reader 7, Flash Player 10, Quicktime Player 6, Windows Media.

2012 Summer Course Registration and Information click here