20809216Introduction to Education and Teaching
Course Information
Description
Students are introduced to education and teaching through practical experience in school settings, group discussions, and individual reflection. Each student will complete 50 hours of K-12 classroom observation. We will explore the relationships among education, curriculum, and instruction across contexts of home, community and school; connecting school practices with philosophical perspectives of education. 
Total Credits
3
Prior Learning Assessment
  • Transfer Credit (includes Certifications)
  • Experiential-Portfolio
Course Competencies
  1. Construct an individual initial professional portfolio
    Assessment Strategies
    Work samples with reflective statements
    Written product
    Online resource to serve as your portfolio
    Criteria
    Work samples that validate skills
    Documentation of professional development (e.g., Dean's List letters, certificates, letters of recommendation, performance evaluations)
    Informational documents such as course descriptions, volunteer opportunities, developmental training that describe relevant learning experiences
    Personal academic history uses documents such as the Degree Progress Report
    Work samples demonstrating knowledge of relevant education topics and issues

  2. Complete field experience requirements
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product: Verification of hours written document
    Written Product: Written evaluation of experience
    Criteria
    Identify the requirements of a field experience
    Apply for and secure field experience position
    Journal uses format as specified by the instructor
    Journal includes learned experience from the field
    Evaluate the experience
    Thank your field host in written form

  3. Identify ideas and questions related to teaching in schools in connection to the fieldwork experience
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, presentation
    Criteria
    Include observation experiences
    Include explorations of classroom practice concepts
    Interpret, analyze, and describe new insights about classroom practice
    Include problems encountered by the teacher
    Connect insights/thoughts to your experience
    You provide evidence of original and critical thinking

  4. Use components of major educational philosophies to build one’s own perspectives
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product and/or presentation
    Criteria
    Describe your history as a learner
    Include correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage
    Include specific school experiences as tied to educational philosophies
    Follow prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components

  5. Describe issues relating to the teaching profession, including realities of the job
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, presentation
    Criteria
    Analyze the important issues surrounding education
    Relate your answers to your field experience
    Apply knowledge of education and students to teaching practice
    Include observation experiences
    Include explorations of classroom practice concepts
    Interpret, analyze, and describe new insights
    Connect insights/thoughts to your personal life
    You provide evidence of original and critical thinking

  6. Identify and explore issues such as school governance, class size, and types of schools
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, presentation
    Criteria
    Describe types of school governance
    Analyze various types of school
    Explain related educational issues
    Convey the important aspects and summarize the important points

  7. Explain issues related to curriculum, standards and assessment
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation
    Criteria
    Describe the forces that shape school curriculum
    Analyze the components of assessment
    Compare assessment techniques
    Explain testing standards used in a classroom environment

  8. Develop skills needed for communicating with diverse communities
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, presentation
    Criteria
    Describe the advantages of using inclusive language
    Apply respectful and inclusive language, free from stereotypes
    Discuss improvements to communication techniques to ensure equitable access to education
    Use gender-neutral language, person-first language in writing conventions

  9. Determine effective strategies for working with diverse students, colleagues or community members
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, presentation
    Criteria
    Discuss various types of diversity
    Evaluate techniques to work with diverse groups
    Use non-alienating language, respectful of differences
    Describe components of the teaching profession in various situations