EDF 1005 - Introduction to Education

College of Education

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2025 (655)

Course Description

This course provides an overview of Florida’s educator certification pathways and career options in education in accordance with Florida Statutes. Topics include: key educational philosophies; professional ethics; legal responsibilities, including mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect; the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAP); key instructional practices associated with effective teaching of students with exceptionalities; Florida’s state academic standards; and historical, legal and financial foundations of the Florida education systems. Students will explore effective teaching strategies in classroom management, educational technology and the foundations of all student learning needs. Includes a minimum of 15 hours of required clinical experience in a variety of school settings. State Course Description (Rule 6A-5.066, F.A.C.) (Note: A student who has a criminal background precluding him or her from observing in a classroom will not be able to complete the field experience and will not receive credit for this course).

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will analyze the characteristics of a professional educator by:
    1. examining the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession.
    2. describing the attributes and ethical standards of highly effective professional educators.
    3. discussing the rights and responsibilities of students and teachers, including mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect.
  2. The student will analyze the historical, legal and financial foundations of the Florida education system by:
    1. identifying current and historical trends, events, issues, and individuals who have influenced school curricula and the development of school systems.
    2. exploring key educational philosophies and their influences on education.
    3. investigating the legal and financial foundations of Florida education systems.
  3. The student will examine different strategies to support teaching and learning that is aligned with state standards by:
    1. identifying key instructional practices to support all students, including those with exceptionalities.
    2. reviewing the Florida state academic standards.
    3. exploring effective teaching strategies in classroom management, educational technology and the foundations of all student learning needs.
  4. The student will explore career options in the field of education by:
    1. identifying careers in education outside the K-12 classroom.
    2. reviewing state guidelines for certification and licensure.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 6/29/83. Effective 20091(0415) – for Revised 8/84. 2008 3-year review. 3YR C&I Review 1992-93. C&I 11/19/96, DBT 12/17/96, Effective Session 19971. Online 2000. C&I 11/27/01, BT 12/18/01,Effective yrtr 20021 (Sess I, 2002). C&I 5/24/05, BOT 6/21/05,Effective 20051(0355). C&I 10/28/08, BOT 12/16/08 C&I Approval: 11/30/2012, BOT Approval: 01/15/2013, Effective Term: Fall 2013 (475). C&I Approval: 08/17/2017, BOT Approval: 09/19/2017, Effective Term: Spring 2018 (540).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2025 (655)

Related Programs

  1. Art Education (ARTED-TR) (670) (In Review)
  2. Art Education with ESOL Endorsement (ARTED-BS) (670) (CS Approved)
  3. Education (EDU-TR) (670) (Active)
  4. Elementary Education (K-6) with Infused ESOL & Reading Endorsements (ELEDR-BS) (660) (Active)
  5. Exceptional Student Education (K-12) with Infused ESOL & Reading Endorsements (ESEDR-BS) (660) (Active)
  6. Middle Grades General Science Education (5-9) (MGSED-TR) (670) (Active)
  7. Music Education (MUSICED-TR) (670) (Active)
  8. Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3) with Infused ESOL and Reading Endorsements (PKPED-BS) (660) (Active)
  9. Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3) with Infused ESOL and Reading Endorsements (PKPED-TR) (670) (Active)
  10. Principles of Teaching PCS (PROTHS-AR) (620) (Active)
  11. Secondary Education Mathematics (6-12) (MTSED-BS) (645) (Active)
  12. Secondary Education Mathematics (MTSED-TR) (670) (Active)
  13. Secondary English Education with Reading and ESOL Endorsement (ENGEDR-BS) (660) (Active)
  14. Secondary English Education with Reading and ESOL Endorsement (ENGEDR-TR) (670) (Active)