EDU 250 Syllabus

EDU 250

Introduction to Teacher Education

Instructor: Lisa D. Murley	E-mail: lisa.murley@wku.edu
Office: 316 Tate Page Hall	Office phone: (270) 745-8822
Fax: (270) 745-6322	Home phone: (270) 782-0875
Office hours: By appointment	Home page: http://edtech.tph.wku.edu/~lmurley
For information on class cancellation due to inclement weather call: 745-4845 or 1-888-CALL-WKU

Course Description: This is the introductory course to a career in education. The student will acquire basic knowledge of teacher ethics, career awareness, student diversity, and curriculum. Field experiences are required. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to designated or assigned sites. Students must also submit the following documentation: (a) a clear criminal report from the Kentucky State Police Records Section in Frankfort, Kentucky; (b) proof that a physical examination has been completed and that the student is free of communicable diseases and any physical or mental disabilities that would interfere with the performance of duties expected in field placement, and (c) a negative report from a test for tuberculosis. Expenses incurred for this documentation are the responsibility of the student

Rationale: EDU 250 is a prerequisite for further study in teacher education. This course provides an awareness of the role of the teacher in the classroom, in the school, and in the community and will guide the student in choosing an appropriate career path. In addition, this foundations course will enable the student to answer the question: Is teaching the career for me?

Special Needs Accommodation: Students with disabilities who require accommodations for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445 Potter Hall. The OFSDS number is 270.745.5005 V/TDD. A letter from OFSDS must accompany any accommodation request.

Course Objectives: The goal of this course is to present information on educational issues and trends, background and history, and legal and financial considerations pertinent to choosing a career in education. Course objectives include:

Students should

demonstrate knowledge of planning, implementing and assessment of student learning by providing evidence for each of the New Teacher Standards
conceptualize a defensible method of grading, analyzing and interpreting evaluation data for the diverse learners found in a multicultural society.
demonstrate knowledge of current educational issues and trends, background and history, and legal and financial considerations pertinent to choosing a career in education.
demonstrate the ability to use the various tools (i.e., maps, graphs, primary sources, etc.) and technologies for organizing, analyzing, and interpreting information

Course Topics:

Contemporary Educational Trends and Issues

Teaching and Learning in Multicultural/Multilingual Schools

Teaching Students with Special Needs and Students at Risk

Standards, Assessment, and Accountability

Legislative Acts and Professional Ethics

Using Technology and Audio-Visual Equipment

Partners in Teaching: Parents, Families, and the Community

Curriculum and Instruction

Historical, Philosophical, Legal, and Financial Issues

Instructional Methods: Lecture, class discussions, readings, student presentations, cooperative learning activities, videos, guest speakers, field experiences, projects, and other methods as needed

Required Textbook:

Needed Materials: Text, $10 for a criminal background check, self-addressed stamped envelope, and 3 scantron forms

Communication: The student is required to check his/her university e-mail account and also Blackboard between class meetings. The instructor will periodically use Blackboard and e-mail communication to post announcements, assignments, and class information.

Professionalism: The amount of professionalism points earned will depend upon the following standards being met:

Twenty five points may be earned for professionalism. Since the development of professional. behavior is one of the course goals, attendance is stressed. Absences and late arrivals, for whatever reasons, count as time taken from the course. Missing 20% of class time will result in a professionalism grade of 0 points. Arriving on time, remaining on task, being prepared, and class participation are part of your responsibilities.
Responses or activities completed in class may not be made up. It is expected that any student who will miss an exam will notify the instructor in advance. Tests or quizzes must be made up within one week of the absence.
Respect for the view of each member of the learning community and the use of professional standards of behavior are expected.

Evaluation and Grade Assignment:

Grading will be done on a straight point system. Projects and assignments must be completed at the beginning of class on the date due. There will be a 10% grade reduction for each day the assignment is late. Problems with due dates and exams must be discussed with the instructor before the exam date or due date. No work will be accepted after one week from the due date. Plagiarism will not be accepted and will be given a grade of 0, and the student may face further disciplinary action according to university policy.

Grade Reporting

Students will be required to check Blackboard for posting of grades throughout the semester.

Student inquiries regarding assigned grades must be addressed through a requested meeting with the instructor. No discussions of point deductions or grade assignments will take place via e-mail.

Assignment Submission:

No e-mailed submissions of written assignments will be accepted.

All assignments must be completed using a word processor. APA guidelines will be used for all assignments. Handwritten work will not be accepted. All work submitted by students must follow the assignment guidelines or will not be accepted. Points will be deducted for spelling, typographic, and grammatical errors. Any work submitted in which liquid paper (white out) or erasures have been made will not be accepted. Only clean copies will be accepted. Any student found cheating or copying from another student's work, or found to have plagiarized from other material (or using any materials for an assignment not completed by that student) will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment in question, and may face further disciplinary action according to university policy.

EDU 250 Grading Scale

Grade	Percentage
A	92 - 100%
B	84 - 91%
C	76 - 83%
D	68 – 75%
F	67% and below

Tentative Point Values

May be adapted by the instructor as needed
Tests	300 points
Critical Performances	150 points
PowerPoint Presentation	50 points
Professionalism	25 points
Other assignments and quizzes added at instructor's discretion

Specific Assignments & Requirements:

Textbook: Read chapters as assigned (see tentative schedule posted on Blackboard) and be prepared for class discussions and quizzes. Quizzes and tests will primarily cover the text.

Classroom Observations: Each EDU 250 student must complete 15 hours of classroom observations in public schools and/or other appropriate settings away from campus. These observations must take place in schools located in districts other than the Warren County School District and Bowling Green Independent School District unless a hardship is proven. Students are responsible for scheduling the observations. An introductory letter will be given to students who have a negative TB test, acceptable physical exam, and a clear criminal report on file in the Office of Teacher Services (TPH 408). This letter must be presented to a school official upon entering the school. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the observation site. More information will be given regarding classroom observations during the first EDU class meeting.

3 Critical Performances:

Students will initiate their electronic portfolio and upload the following 3 critical performances for EDU 250:

Philosophy of Education Paper: Students will write their philosophy of education. This paper will describe the student's personal beliefs about the purpose of education, how children learn, the teacher’s role, and effective teaching strategies. A scoring guide will be provided along with further explanation. This assignment is a critical performance and will be uploaded to the electronic portfolio.
Observing Educational Reform in Practice: Classroom observations will be the basis for this paper. The contents include relating the observations to Kentucky’s New Teacher Standards and the KERA Goals and Academic Expectations. Evidence of your observations (i.e., recording form for teacher signature and observation time log) must be attached to this paper. The required format is a 2-3 page paper using APA guidelines. A scoring guide will be provided along with further explanation. This assignment is a critical performance and will be uploaded to the electronic portfolio. In order to observe in the schools, you are required to have a physical, criminal check, and TB test. These are required for all classes in the education program.
Reflective Journal: Teaching in a Culturally Diverse Society: Based on the classroom observations, students will write a 2-3 page reflection paper addressing the diverse characteristics of learners in today’s classrooms. Also included will be a description of what the student needs to learn in their education program to prepare them to teach in a classroom with the diversity described. More details and a scoring guide will be provided. This assignment is a critical performance and will be uploaded to the electronic portfolio.

Electronic Portfolio: EDU 250 includes three critical performance assignments to be uploaded to the electronic portfolio. These assignments are not to be uploaded until the class instructor has given permission for the student. The assignments must be typed in Microsoft Word or Word Perfect. Microsoft Works will not upload to the university's electronic portfolio. If you are not registered on the electronic portfolio website, you must do so to upload the critical performances. Final grades will not be forwarded to the Registrar until the three critical performances have been successfully uploaded to the electronic portfolio. The web address for the electronic portfolio system is: http://edtech.tph.wku.edu/~eps/
Teacher Admissions Orientation Meeting: Students must attend a Teacher Admissions Orientation Meeting. Dates and times will be announced.

Educational Issues Presentations: Groups will select from educational topics and create a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation. Presentations will be evaluated on content, creativity, group participation, organization, and format. Additional information and a scoring guide will be provided.

EXTRA CLARIFICATION

No EDU 250 student can pass this course if any item below is missing, undone, or incomplete:

Attendance at a Teacher Admissions meeting
15 hours of documented classroom observation
3 critical performances completed and uploaded to the electronic portfolio
Criminal background check, TB test and physical on file in Teacher Services

See Blackboard for Tentative Class Schedule

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard I

The teacher designs/plans instruction and learning climates that develop student abilities to use communication skills, apply core concepts, become self-sufficient individuals, become responsible team members, think and solve problems, and integrate knowledge.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Examine the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) and other regional and national education reform movements	student presentations, guest speaker, class discussion	Class discussion, cognitive tests
Examine the Kentucky New Teacher Performance Standards for Preparation and Certification and National Standards	Cooperative groups, presentations, PowerPoint, class discussion	Paper, cognitive tests
Study strategies to address physical, social, and cultural diversity	Field experience, article critiques, case studies	Class discussion, field report, paper

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard II

The teacher creates a learning climate that supports the development of student abilities to use communication skills, apply core concepts, become self-sufficient individuals, become responsible team members, think and solve problems, and integrate knowledge.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Examine research findings concerning maintenance of a positive and helpful classroom climate	readings, student presentations	Cognitive tests, class discussion
Identify various cultures and value structures and their impact on student learning	Readings, field experience	Cognitive tests, paper

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard III

The teacher introduces/implements/manages instruction that develops student abilities to use communication skills, apply core concepts, become self-sufficient individuals, become responsible team members, think and solve problems, and integrate knowledge.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Gather information on ways to adjust/vary materials, activities, objectives to address the diverse needs of all students	Readings, field experience	Class discussion, cognitive tests, paper
Write a philosophy paper which includes beliefs concerning classroom management	Readings, cooperative learning activities	Class discussion, paper

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard IV
The teacher assesses learning and communicates results to students and others with respect to student abilities to use communication skills, apply core concepts, become self-sufficient individuals, become responsible team members, think and solve problems, and integrate knowledge.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Examine ethical issues of assessment and reporting systems based on state/professional organization codes of ethics	Readings, cooperative group projects	Class discussion, paper, and cognitive test
Write a philosophy paper which includes beliefs concerning assessment	Readings, cooperative learning activities	Class discussion, paper

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard V

The teacher reflects on and evaluates specific teaching/learning situations and/or programs.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Explain the characteristics of reflective practitioners	Readings, lecture, guest speaker	Class discussion, paper
Examine the various roles of today’s educators	readings, field experience	Cognitive tests, paper
Use print and non-print media (ERIC) to research and reflect upon educational issues and trends	Technology assignments,	Class discussion, journal entries

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard VI

The teacher collaborates with colleagues, parents, and other agencies to design, implement, and support learning programs that develop student abilities to use communication skills, apply core concepts, become self-sufficient individuals, become responsible team members, think and solve problems, and integrate knowledge.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Interpret contemporary research findings concerning school reform, teacher effectiveness, and parental involvement	Readings, student presentations, field experience	Cognitive tests, class discussion
Identify community resources that support schools, students and families	Readings, field experience	Class discussion, cognitive tests

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard VII

The teacher evaluates his/her overall performance with respect to modeling and teaching Kentucky's learning goals, refines the skills and processes necessary, and implements a professional development plan.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Initiate admission to the teacher education process	Orientation meeting	Checklist
Examine teacher certification standards	Readings, orientation meeting	Checklist
Interpret codes of ethics for teachers	Readings, case studies	Class discussion,

Kentucky’s New Teacher Standard VIII

The teacher demonstrates a current and sufficient academic knowledge of certified content areas to develop student knowledge and performance in those areas.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Analyze the philosophical foundations of American education	Readings, cooperative learning activities, philosophy paper	Paper, cognitive tests
Identify legal issues that affect educators, students, and society and the impact on certified content areas	Readings	Cognitive tests, class discussion
Analyze the historical development of American education	Readings, cooperative learning activities	Cognitive tests, class discussion
Examine the role of local, state, and federal government in the organization, administration, and financing of education and how it affects certified content areas	Readings	Cognitive tests, class discussion

Kentucky's New Teacher Standard IX

The teacher uses technology to support instruction; access and manipulate data; enhance professional growth and productivity; communicate and collaborate with colleagues, parents, and the community; and conduct research.

Objectives	Methods and Activities	Assessment
Uses the computer to do word processing, make presentations, and uses other emerging technologies to enhance professional productivity and support instruction.	Presentations, electronic portfolio, class discussions	class presentations, papers, electronic portfolio upload

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