EDUC 200 Principles of Education

This course examines historical, philosophical, legal, and sociological principles of education. Emphasis is placed on current issues and terminology in the field of education.


Please note, this course is not part of a program leading to eligibility of a Virginia state teaching license (or license in any other state). Individuals seeking to obtain a state teaching license should contact soelicensure@liberty.edu for recommended course options.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


The candidate will be introduced to major concepts in the field of education. This introduction will assist the candidate in developing and refining choices related to his/her involvement in education. The course will help the candidate determine his/her motivations for becoming a teacher, what vocational areas exist in education, and what he/she can expect to encounter in the educational field.


Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be at least 200 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words. In the Introduction/Welcome Discussion  you will have the opportunity to get to know your classmates. In Discussion: Online Learning Assignment, 2–3 tips learned from viewing tutorials or Online Writing Center presentations are applied. In Discussion: Ethical and Legal School Issues  , the candidate must incorporate at least 2 citations and references (1 Scripture, 1 textbook) in current APA format in the thread and 1 course text citation in at least 1 of the 2 replies. (CLO: A, D, G, I)

Video Lesson Evaluation Assignment

The candidate will view and evaluate 1 of 2 provided video lessons using a supplied form to articulate responses. The candidate will demonstrate knowledge of diverse students and differentiated instruction by answering, and critically analyzing, all the evaluative questions provided with no less than 30 words per question. (CLO: A, B, C, H)

Learning Strategies Reflection Assignment

The candidate will select and view 1 of the 4 provided videos. Each selection is of a teacher demonstrating a different learning strategy. The candidate will write at least 425 words in current APA format describing and reflecting on the effectiveness of the learning strategy. The video must be cited in current APA format and include a title page and reference page for this assignment. (CLO: A, B, C, H)

Mock Teacher’s Application Assignment

The candidate will complete a fictional application for a teaching position. The candidate’s responses to the application template questions must total at least 500 words in current APA format (CLO: A).

Interview Assignments (2)

The candidate will be required to create questions in addition to those provided, interview a teacher, and summarize the findings in the assignment template. This assignment will be submitted in 2 parts: submission of the questions and details of the interview and submission of the completed template that is based on the candidate’s interview responses. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I)

Planning Assignment

The candidate will create 5 open-ended questions in addition to the 5 provided in the course. These questions will be based on the textbook readings and used for the purpose of interviewing a teacher. These questions will require information about the interviewee and the assignment questions he/she will be asked.

Interview and Reflection Assignment

The candidate will conduct an interview of a teacher using all 10 questions from Part 1 and will complete the provided template that will showcase the questions and answers received. A textbook reference or biblical integration will be required. Current APA format must be utilized.

Phi Delta Kappan Project Assignment

Article Selection Assignment

The candidate will locate an article on a given topic from the Phi Delta Kappan journal and give the selection.

Article Review Assignment

After reading the article, the candidate will write a review covering the required criteria as expressed to the candidate. The review must be at least 500 words and follow current APA style. A title and reference page in current APA format are required for this assignment. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, G, I)

Philosophy Essay Assignment

The candidate will write an essay explaining his/her philosophical view(s) based on the results of a calculated philosophy of education self-inventory found in Chapter 9 of the Ryan et al. textbook. This essay will include the application of the candidate’s philosophy to a given scenario. The essay must be at least 650 words and in current APA format. The essay must include 2 citations, 1 of which must come from the textbook, and 3 pieces of evidence to support the use of the philosophy in practical teaching methods in a classroom setting. A title and reference page in current APA format are required for this assignment. (CLO: E, F)

Final Essay Assignment

The candidate will complete an open-book/open-notes essay of at least 800 words in response to the given prompt as the cumulative activity for this course. It must also include 3 citations from the textbook in current APA format. A title and reference page in current APA format are required for this assignment. (CLO: A, B, D, I)

Quizzes (5)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned modules: weeks. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice questions, and have a 90 minute time limit. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I)


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