Assessment, Research, & Statistics

EDFI 4020 is a course that introduces pre-service teachers to the art and science of creating a variety of assessments for the classroom. Students learn how to read standardized test reports, create objective tests, and create performance assessments along with other related topics. Either EDFI 3020 or EDFI 3030 is a pre-requisite for EDFI 4020, and there are 20 C/F hours associated with the course.

EDFI 4020 is a required part of the AYA methods block, so students in the AYA program will be registered for the course during their methods semester. Students in Middle Childhood and Early Childhood may take the course as well as long as they have met the pre-requisites; there are additional sections offered outside of the AYA methods blocks each semester.

Check with them if you are not sure whether you need EDFI 4020

EDFI 6410 is an introductory-level course for graduate students in education and related fields. You are not expected to have any experience with statistics or research prior to taking the course. The course covers basic topics related to descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing in research. Most Master’s programs in the College of Education and Human Development require this course for graduation.

EDFI 6410 does not have to be hard if you come in with a positive attitude and are ready to learn. You are best advised to take the course early in your program because many graduate-level courses require you to read and understand empirical research articles – EDFI 6410 gives you the tools to better understand what you are reading. NOTE: some programs require this course at a specific place in your programs, so you may not have a choice as to when you take it.

As with any online course, you must be a conscientious and self-regulated learner to succeed in the online EDFI 6410 environment. The instructor(s) use a variety of multi-media tools to enhance your ability to learn and apply the course material. There is time to talk to and interact with the instructor, so you are not alone in this process.

If you have never taken summer courses, you should be aware the 6-week time frame is fast. It may feel as though you are processing a lot of information very quickly. The instructors cover the same amount of material as a traditional 17-week semester, meeting twice a week instead of once. You need to be able to work diligently each week to process information and be prepared for each class meeting. Otherwise, the course is no different than during the fall or spring.

EDFI 6420 is an introductory-level course for graduate students in education and related fields. You are not expected to have any experience with statistics or research prior to taking the course, although EDFI 6410 is recommended first. The course covers basic topics related to designing, conducting, and reading educational research. Many, but not all, Master’s programs in the College of Education and Human Development require this course for graduation.

EDFI 6420 does not have to be hard if you come in with a positive attitude and are ready to learn. You are best advised to take the course early in your program because many graduate-level courses require you to read and understand empirical research articles – EDFI 6420 gives you the tools to better understand what you are reading. NOTE: some programs require this course at a specific place in your programs, so you may not have a choice as to when you take it.

As with any online course, you must be a conscientious and self-regulated learner to succeed in the online EDFI 6420 environment. The instructor(s) use a variety of multi-media tools to enhance your ability to learn and apply the course material. There is time to talk to and interact with the instructor, so you are not alone in this process.

If you have never taken summer courses, you should be aware the 6-week time frame is fast. It may feel as though you are processing a lot of information very quickly. The instructors cover the same amount of material as a traditional 17-week semester, meeting twice a week instead of once. You need to be able to work diligently each week to process information and be prepared for each class meeting. Otherwise, the course is no different than during the fall or spring.

We strongly discourage students from taking both courses at once. Although it is possible, you are learning similar material in different contexts. Some of the material you learn in EDFI 6420 you do not learn until later in EDFI 6410, so you may be a bit more confused than your peers who have taken EDFI 6410 already. Consult with your advisor and the instructors of EDFI 6410 and EDFI 6420 if you absolutely need this option to graduate.