About SEC 507
In SEC 507, you'll focus on secondary education as you plan, instruct, and assess using best practices. We'll emphasize general secondary methods, curriculum development, inquiry, classroom management, and instructional strategies, along with the selection and design of materials and methods to meet students' cognitive, social, and emotional learning needs. We'll also emphasize planning and instruction for diverse student needs.
Course Specs
Credits3
TermFall 2026
FormatOnline (Canvas)
Duration15 weeks
Modules5
Total points1,775
AudienceClinical Residency Licensure Program
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of SEC 507, students will be able to:
- 1Apply research-based instructional strategies (direct instruction, guided practice, knowledge application) to plan lessons appropriate for grades 9–12 classrooms in their content area.
- 2Design a thematic unit plan with measurable objectives, daily lesson plans, differentiated activities, and evaluation rubrics aligned to state standards and NCSS themes.
- 3Construct assessment tools (rubrics, formative checks, portfolios, performance tasks) that measure student learning at multiple levels of cognitive complexity.
- 4Evaluate grading systems (criterion-referenced, norm-referenced, standards-based) and justify the selection of a system appropriate to a specific instructional context.
- 5Adapt instruction for diverse learners, including students with exceptionalities, English learners, and students from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- 6Establish classroom procedures and relationships that support a productive learning environment, including rules, physical layout, withitness, and communication with families.
- 7Analyze connections between learning theories (behaviorism, constructivism, cognitive psychology) and specific classroom practices observed or implemented during the residency.
- 8Integrate cross-curricular connections into content-area instruction, articulating how interdisciplinary approaches strengthen student engagement and deepen understanding.
Points by Module
Module 1: The Classroom and You275
Module 2: Planning Instruction350
Module 3: Assessment300
Module 4: Student Diversity & Special Needs400
Module 5: Subject-Area Unit Plan100
Discussions (7 × 50)350
Total1,775
Required Texts
The full reading list is on the Textbooks page. Most readings are from Marzano and Seifert. In Module 4, you'll read Burden & Byrd Chapters 12 and 13 on grading, reporting, and working with families.
Format
SEC 507 is an online course in Canvas, and all the activities, readings, and submissions are in the LMS. Plan to check the site several times a week, since announcements and feedback appear there. No work will be accepted via email.
Communication
Email Dr. Gill at gilld@uncw.edu and put "SEC 507" in the subject line. He tries to return emails within 24 hours on weekdays, and if you haven't heard back by then, send a follow-up. He doesn't use Canvas email, so please write to his UNCW address instead.
Accessibility & Accommodations
If you need accommodations, email Dr. Gill at gilld@uncw.edu during the first week of the course. You'll find Disability Resource Center information at uncw.edu/disability.
Academic Integrity
Assignments may be checked through Turnitin, and the full UNCW Academic Honor Code applies to all of your work in this course. You can read the details on late work and integrity on the Course Policies page.
Tech Support
Email TAC@uncw.edu or visit the UNCW ITSD Help Desk in Randall Library or Hoggard Hall Room 131. Tech problems aren't an excuse for late work, and Dr. Gill doesn't provide tech support.