Education (MEd): General major - Literacies & Numeracies

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Length of program

36 months

Mode of delivery

Blended

Program consists of:

  • Coursework
  • Culminating activity

Campus

  • Lethbridge
  • Virtual

Intake

Summer

Program description

Master of Education | Major: General

2024 cohort study-theme: Literacies & Numeracies
Classes begin Summer 2024
 
"Literacy and numeracy are central to lifelong learning and sustainable development. In today’s fast-changing world, both skills are essential to achieving independence and wellbeing, and provide the basis for sustainable societies with constant socio-economic progress." ~ UNESCO
 
For the first time, the ULethbridge Master of Education study theme adds an emphasis on numeracy to its renowned literacy instruction.

In this cohort, you'll gain the framework to develop engaged and motivated readers invested in lifelong learning. Explore the knowledge, skill and dispositions in numeracy and literacies your students need to thrive, and acquire concrete strategies to grow and assess those qualities.

  • Understand how language, literacies and numeracies are developed using research-based best practices and how they are applied with oral cultures.
  • Learn what reading instruction looks like in areas such as decoding, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. 
  • Examine the construct of numeracy and ways of teaching mathematics that promote student confidence, deeper understanding and the development of strong numeracy skills. 
  • Develop an applied understanding of learning theories from multiple perspectives, including: socio-cognitive, socio-cultural, psychological and neuroscience. 
  • Critically engage with, collect and use assessment data to support student development in reading and in mathematics.
  • Learn how to support students as they represent their learning in diverse ways (aural, visual and textual) across multiple disciplines.
  • Discover how to create rich literacy and numeracy environments and experiences in both in-school and out-of-school settings.

“This program will help teachers construct a deeper understanding of numeracies while learning effective instructional and assessment strategies to support students.”
~ Dr. Sandy Bakos
Learn more about Dr. Bakos

See sample 2024 Literacies & Numeracies cohort schedule


This program does not lead to teacher certification

  • Individuals seeking teacher certification in the province of Alberta should refer to the Bachelor of Education program.
​This program is not suitable for International applicants
  • More than 50% of the courses in this program follow an online delivery format. Please be advised that due to the blended nature of this program, graduates are NOT eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit after completing this program.

Finding a supervisor

Supervisor not required for the Master of Education (General)

Career pathways

  • K-12 reading instructor or specialist
  • Primary or secondary school teacher
  • Literacy or reading coach
  • Reading intervention specialist
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Reading/Writing centre coordinator
Dr. Robin Bright

In this MEd cohort, teachers will explore the science and complexity of literacy. This balances decoding, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency skills with a love of reading and writing.”

~ Dr. Robin Bright (BASc '79, BEd '82, MEd '88)
Learn more about Dr. Bright

Additional information

Core courses

​EDUC 5200
- Curriculum Studies and Classroom Practice (Equity in Education)

EDUC 5300
Foundations of Modern Educational Theory and Practice (Curriculum and Learning Theories)

EDUC 5310
- Foundations of Numeracy 
- Foundations of Reading

EDUC 5400
- The Nature of Educational Research (Research Literacy)

EDUC 5500
- Understanding Professional Practice and Professional Development (Engaging Mathematically)

EDUC 5510
- Reading Interventions for Elementary Students
- Teaching Multi-Modal, Multi-Genre Writing Across the Lifespan

EDUC 5850
- Numeracy as a Cross-Disciplinary Construct
- Assessment Theories and Practice 

Elective courses

EDUC 5310: Oral Foundations of Learning

EDUC 5510: Teaching Reading Through Literature

Culminating options

EDUC 6006: Capstone, or

EDUC 6030: Project, or

EDUC 6040: Thesis

This program is a unique collaboration between the Faculty of Education, known for teaching excellence, and the Department of Neuroscience, a vibrant and dynamic scientific community recognized internationally for cutting-edge research.

Students in this cohort:

  • study the principles of brain development in order to understand the impact these processes have on learning and behaviour
  • examine how neuroscience and educational research can inform the design of learning environments and instructional practices
  • gain the skills, tools, and knowledge necessary to enhance teaching practice and facilitate better educational outcomes
  • become critical consumers of neuroscience findings, particularly as they are applied to educational settings.

“This program instilled the value of teacher-as-researcher in me. If I can link behaviour to a structural or developmental issue I can go from there to best assess and move forward to benefit students.”
~ Riley Kostek, (BSc’09/BEd’11, MEd'22)  
Read more about Riley's experience

See sample 2023 Teaching, Learning & Neuroscience cohort schedule

Curriculum & Assessment are at the core of educators’ every day work. Learning new ways of critically enacting with it can have significant positive impacts on classroom instruction and student learning. 

  • explore research-informed ways to design and enact high-quality curriculum
  • design and implement assessments that inform teaching authentically, meaningfully and ethically
  • better reflect and respond to diverse and inclusive communities
  • ensure their classrooms are environments nurturing their students’ deep understanding, critical-thinking, problem-solving, personal agency and self-directed learning

As an MEd Curriculum & Assessment student, Christine Perreaux (BA/BEd ’99; MEd ’21) developed The 6 Ps of Student-Centred Teaching. Her innovative Play, Projects, Peers, Passions, Portfolios & Purpose programming departs from traditional memorization, worksheet, drill-and-practice learning to meet curriculum outcomes.

“Since changing the approach, we’re seeing outstanding growth in students' academic achievement and independence.”
~ Christine Perreaux (BA/BEd ’99; MEd ’21)

 Read more about Christine's experience

See sample 2022 Curriculum & Assessment cohort schedule