Foundations Block

The Foundations Block includes three courses in the social and psychological foundations of education, with an embedded fieldwork component in a school with a diverse population. Closely connecting coursework with participation in a field experience is an instructional model that allows students to apply their learning and begin making connections between theory and practice. Together, the courses and fieldwork introduce students to key sociological, psychological, historical, and philosophical ideas across education scholarship and practice. Students in the Foundations Block courses connect theory to practice by:

Building their knowledge, perspectives, and skills about teaching students with diverse identities, backgrounds, and communities to promote equity and justice
Identifying, understanding, and beginning to apply effective and evidence-informed teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners
Developing and understanding metacognitive and critical thinking skills and their centrality in engaging and effective teaching
Identifying and beginning to develop professional teaching dispositions by engaging in reflective practice

Foundations Block Courses

EDFNDPRC 210: Introduction to Education and Teaching
EDFOUND 243: Foundations of Education in a Pluralistic Society
EDFOUND 222: Child Development (Elementary and Special Education majors) OR EDFOUND 212: Educational Psychology (Secondary Education and other education majors as advised)

How to Enroll in the Foundations Block Courses

Students take the Foundations Block courses prior to applying for formal Admission to Professional Education in the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Beginning in Fall 2021 students may take EDFOUND 222 or EDFOUND 212 before EDFOUND 243 and EDFNDPRC 210. The prerequisites for EDFOUND 243 and EDFNDPRC 210, including undergraduates, transfer students, and baccalaureate degree holding students, are the following:

Passing scores on all parts of the PRAXIS CORE (PPST/PRAXIS I); OR passing scores as designated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on the ACT, SAT, or GRE within the last ten years

A 2.75 combined cumulative GPA (grade point average)

Registering for EDFOUND 222 or EDFOUND 212

Elementary and Special Education majors should take EDFOUND 222
Secondary Education majors and all other education majors as advised should take EDFOUND 212
These courses can be taken prior to or at the same time as the other foundations block courses, EDFNDPRC 210 and EDFOUND 243
Students can register for any section of EDFOUND 222 or EDFOUND 212

Registering for EDFNDPRC 210 and EDFOUND 243

Elementary education, secondary education, special education, and all other education majors as advised should take both EDFNDPRC 210 and EDFOUND 243 during the same semester.
All students must meet the eligibility requirements described above in order to register for EDFNDPRC 210 and EDFOUND 243
Elementary education and special education majors should register for Section 1 or 2 of EDFNDPRC 210, and the same section number of EDFOUND 243.
Secondary education and all other education majors as advised should register for Section 4 or 5 of EDFNDPRC 210, and the same section number of EDFOUND 243.

NOTE: Section 3 of EDFNDPRC 210 and EDFOUND 243 has been set aside for students across all education majors who are not able to attend daytime on-campus classes M-F, as well as transfer and post-baccalaureate students only needing to complete 1 of the 2 courses. If you do not meet either criteria, do not register for this section.

If you meet the EDFNPRC 210 and EDOUND 243 pre-requisites and are still unable to register you likely require individual permission. For permission, email the UW-W Educational Foundations Department (edfound@uww.edu). Use the subject heading: PERMISSION FOR FOUNDATIONS BLOCK.

Observation and Participation (O&P) Fieldwork and Foundations Block Portfolio in EDFNDPRC 210: Introduction to Education and Teaching

A central component of the EDFNDPRC 210 Introduction course is the fieldwork experience in a school with a diverse population. The Office of Field Experiences (OFE) begins coordinating field placements 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the semester. This includes a survey that all students are required to fill out. Please make sure to respond to any messages from the OFE immediately. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the assigned site.

Students in the Foundations Block also complete the Foundations Block portfolio. Admission to Professional Education requires earning a C or better in all Foundations Block courses, passing the Foundations Block portfolio, and program-based requirements.