EDN 408: INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS, SCIENCE

Section 002

 

Class Location: 223 EB

Spring, 2009

 

Instructor: Dr. Dennis S. Kubasko, Jr.             Office Phone: 962-3367

Office: 373 Education Building                         Cell Phone: 409-7436

 

Email: kubaskod@uncw.edu

 


COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

From the UNCW Catalogue: EDN 408. Instructional Seminar (2) Corequisite:  EDN 409 except for physical education and music education majors.  Prerequisites:  All professional core and specialty area courses, acceptance into the Watson School of Education, and a 2.70 GPA on all work attempted at UNCW.  Development of instructional skills required for successful teaching with regard for the particular needs of the student's academic discipline.  Designed as a culmination of professional study and an initiation into the internship and the teaching profession.  Emphasis is given to professional documentation of reflective growth.

 

OVERVIEW

 

The teacher licensure program is designed to develop highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles.  Such teachers make consistent, defensible, and appropriate decisions to facilitate student achievement on intended learning outcomes. The program includes the acquisition of complex teaching skills through cognitive understandings, building upon academic and pedagogical knowledge bases, followed by practice and reflection on professional development. 

 

Course Objectives

 

The objectives of this class are to encourage the development of exemplary secondary science teaching through competency and understanding in the following areas:

1.    Reflection on the planning, implementation, and integration of standards, recommendations, and resources of international, national, state, and local science education organizations.

2.    Selecting and/or designing instructional and assessment strategies appropriate for the needs and interests of high school students.

3.    Providing a complex learning environment in which students are encouraged to think scientifically.

4.    Contributing to personal and collegial professional development through self-reflective activities, inquiry and research activities, and professional communications.

 

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

 

This course is designed to focus on key components of the Watson School of Education conceptual framework:  The WSE develops highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles.  All educators must use data for decisions, reflect upon their practice, exemplify their commitment to professional standards, implement appropriate communication strategies, and strive to meet the needs of all learners.  Assignments in this course will assist you in preparing you to be a competent professional and a leader.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

1.    Attendance is required by all students.  EDN 408 class time supercedes ALL other internship responsibilities.  Students will be permitted to have only one absence (excused or unexcused) from class.  After the second absence and upon each additional absence, the final grade will be reduced by one letter grade.  For instance, a student having missed three classes can only attain a grade of C upon successful completion of all course work.

·      1 absence = no deduction (Grade of A, at best)

·      2 absences = one letter grade deduction (Grade of “B”, at best)

·      3 absences = two letter grade deduction (Grade of “C”, at best)

·      4 Absences = three letter grade deduction (Grade of “D”, at best)

·      5 Absences or more = four letter grade deduction (Grade of “F”)

 

2.    Students are not to be late for class.  EDN 408 class time will begin promptly at 3:30 and end at 4:50.  Be prepared to stay in class the entire one hour and twenty minutes.  There will be few occasions the instructor will excuse class early.  Upon a student being late (unexcused or excused) a third time, a deduction of one letter grade will be taken from that students overall grade in the class.

 

3.    Participate in class activities.  Students are expected to be in class and participating in all discussions.  Many students are bringing with them a variety of different perspectives from a variety of different contexts and all are valuable.  It is vital for the learning of everyone to include each student’s perspective in class. 

 

4.    Complete all assignments as detailed in the requirements section.




 


POINT/GRADE EQUIVALENTS

1.
Two-Week Plan
50
2.
Safety Project
50
3.
Inquiry Project
50
4.
Portfolio and Presentation
50
Total
200
 

                                                         

 

Grades for EDN 408 will be assigned as follows:

A = 180 – 200 points

B = 179 – 160

C = 159 – 140

D = 139 – 120

Below 120 points = F.