Finals

Thank you all for a great semester. I really enjoyed getting to learn with you this semester.

If you would like to pick up your finals they will be in the education office until 1/15/10. After that I will send them to the paper shredder.

Chapter 13 Assignment

Read: Chapter 13 in the Intro to Teaching Book

Watch Integrating Technology into Instruction on the included text DVD and respond to the questions that follow the DVD.

Remember that next Monday we will meet for our final class. Use the pretest you took at the beginning of the semester to study for the final exam.

Chapter 12 Assignment

Read Chapter 12 Effective Instruction in American Schools.

Select one of the following to respond to:

1. Describe the principles of cognitive learning theory, and identify examples of the principles in practice.

2. Describe essential steps in planning for instruction.

3. Explain how essential teaching skills contribute to learning.

4. Explain the relationship between principles of learning and different phases of models of instruction.

Sorry I am a day late. I guess the holiday got the best of me.

Get in the Holiday Mood

Would you be willing to help out KDP decorate their PNC Holiday tree? KDP will be decorating their tree based on the theme of Santa's Secret Workshop. We will be providing a service to the children at Lake Hills Elementary. The children will be able to select a Christmas gift for their parents or caregivers. We would like to decorate the PNC Christmas tree to showcase this service project with Santa decorations. Please consider donating an ornament or two that has a Santa theme on it. These can be used ornaments or new ornaments. Right now Walmart has Santa ornaments for only $1.00. Just drop off your donation to the education office by November 30th. If you would like to get your ornament back label it with your name and you can pick it up the last day of finals.

Chapter 10 Assignment

After reading chapter 10 you are introduced to the concept of curriculum. Curriculum is a fancy word for everything that teachers teach and students learn in schools. Curriculum is broken down into four components. The first is the explicit curriculum or the formal curriculum which is found in textbooks, curriculum guides, standards, and any other planned formal educational experiences. The second is the implicit curriculum or the hidden curriculum which is the kinds of learning children acquire from the nature and organization of the classroom and school as well as the attitudes and actions of the teachers. The third component of curriculum is the null curriculum which are the topics that are left out of the course of study. The fourth is the extracurriculum which is the learning experiences that extend beyond the core of students' formal studies.

View Curriculum, Standards, and Accountability on the Becoming a Professional DVD and respond to the questions.

How did standards influence Sue’s decision about what to teach?
What planning decisions did Sue make to help her students reach the standard?
How did Sue implement her lesson to help her students reach the standard?

Respond to the poll on a National Curriculum.

Chapter 9 Assignment

After reading chapter 9 select a topic you found interesting in the chapter reading. Indicate your topic. Describe what you learned that you did not know before. Then indicate how this will help prepare you to be an effective teacher. Why is this information important to know?

Chapter 8 Assignment

Read: Chapter 8 in the Intro to Teaching Book

Watch Failing Grade on the included text DVD and respond to the questions on p. 262

Respond to the poll on privatization.

Chapter 7 Assignment

Read: Chapter 7 in the Intro to Teaching Book

ALL Respond to Teaching in an Era of Reform on page 229

Read: A New Order of Things by Saul Cooperman in the Charting a Professional Course book. Respond to the following questions:

If your last name begins with:

A-F Question #1
G-L Question #2
M-S Question #3
T-Z Question #4

Open Forum

Please attend the Open Forum on Tuesday, October 20th from 12-1 in LSF 02 to find out about the new proposed rules revisions for teacher educators and accountablility. These changes will impact YOU! Come and find out what you can do to voice your opinion.

Chapter 5 Assignment

Can you believe we are already at the middle of the semester. Next Monday October 12th is Fall Break which officially means you have made it 1/2 way through the semester.

This week Read Chapter 5 and view The History of Education video clip that can be found on the blog.

Select an article to read from the book Charting a Professional Course Issues and Controversies in Education that is of interest to you. The only stipulation is that it must be an article connected to the Chapter 5 reading. You can locate this information inside the front and back cover of Charting a Professional Course under the column Introduction to Teaching (chapters). In your post identify the article that you read by Title and then select at least 2 of the questions at the beginning of the article to respond to.

Continue to work on the www.myteachingphilosophy.com learning module and bring the completed assignment to class on Monday, October 19th. We will meet from 1:00-3:35 in Tech 214.

Zona Fest Cancelled

If there are any of you who volunteered for the Zona Fest extra credit assignment this event has unfortunately been canceled.

Chapter 4 Assignment

This chapter focuses on the Changes in American Society: Their Influences on Today's Schools. After reading the chapter take a position on Zero Tolerance.

In 1994 due to acts of violence in schools Congress passed the Gun-Free Schools Act. This act requires all states who receive federal funds to expel any student for one year who was in possession of a firearm in a school setting. Additional amendments were added to include all weapons and drugs or drug paraphernalia to the act. More than 3/4 of all schools report having zero-tolerance policies.

Read Teaching in an Era of Reform on page 132. Watch Action, Reaction, and Zero Tolerance from the Becoming a Professional DVD.

Comment to this post your position on zero tolerance at this time.

Based on the first letter of your last name respond to the following question:

A-I: Describe the major goals of zero-tolerance policies.
J-R: List advantages and disadvantages of zero-tolerance policies.
S-W: What do you think schools could do to minimize the negative effects of
zero-tolerance policies?

Philosophy Object Presentation

On Monday, September 21, 2009 we will be meeting in Tech 214 at 1:00 p.m. for class. The Philosophy Object Presentation assignment will be due during class. Select an object that demonstrates how you believe you live your life. Clearly connect the object to your philosophy of life. The presentation can be anywhere from 1-5 minutes with more points being assigned to a 3-5 minute presentation. Although most people get nervous about public speaking you can increase your confidence by practicing your presentation in a mirror, for a friend, or a family member. Think creatively about the object that you select so that your audience is able to make the connection between the object and what you are stating about your belief system. And lastly focus on how you present yourself. Work on being poised, speaking clearly and loud enough for the audience to hear you, make eye contact with the audience, and show enthusiasm for what you are doing. The rubric for the assignment has been added to the blog under rubrics. Please bring a copy of this rubric to class on Monday.

Spring Registration

Spring 2010 Registration begins Thursday, October 15th…

Have you made an appointment to meet with your Advisor?

Schedule your appointment today to set up a time after Fall Break.


Ways to make an appointment:
1. By phone
a. Bianca, Advisor 785-5473
b. Preama, Department Secretary 785-5485
2. By Email
a. Bianca bvillarr@pnc.edu
b. Preama pminix@pnc.edu
3. Stop by TECH 205
a. See Bianca or Preama



When leaving a phone message or sending an Email, please leave the following information:
1. Name and phone number easiest to be contacted
2. Best day/time that works best for you
3. Block or Program Option

Chapter 2 Assignment

After reading chapter 2 you should be able to describe beliefs of beginning teachers (see pages 40-42). Respond to the following prompt:

Describe beginning teachers' beliefs about what makes a teacher effective.

You also discovered through the reading that there is traditional and alternative licensure. What is the difference between traditional and alternative licensure?

Watch Succeeding in Your First Year of teaching on the DVD. Describe the rewards and challenges this teacher faced in her first year of teaching. What challenges do you think you will have during your first year of teaching?

Respond to the new poll I have posted on the blog.

EDUCATION MAJORS WANTED!

Great with kids, role model, likes to play games, responsible, trustworthy, helpful . . . if these traits describe you and you are interested in a part-time Monday – Friday schedule, we’d like to hear from you.

We have opportunities for Site Directors and Site Assistants for our Kidstop Unit working in Valparaiso elementary area schools, Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Our Duneland Club also has a Program Aide position Monday – Friday 2:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Applicants should have experience working with kids, knowledge of youth development, ability to motivate youth and manage youth behavior and the ability to plan and implement quality programs for youth.

As a part of our team, you will make a difference in the lives of many children by promoting program participation, orienting new members and providing guidance and role modeling.

To apply, please visit our website at www.bgcpoco.org for an application or you may call Tracey Dibble, Human Resources Manager 219-464-7282, ext 247 for more information.

Happy Birthday

Wishing you a very happy birthday Shane. Let us know how you celebrated your special day.

Chapter 1 Assignment

After reading chapter 1 in the Introduction to Teaching book you were exposed to the rewards and challenges of being a classroom teacher. Based on the information presented in the textbook what do you think will be the most rewarding and the most challenging for you as a future teacher? How does this information change your beliefs about becoming a teacher?

You may or may not have been exposed to the concepts of high stakes testing prior to reading this chapter. In order to be the change in today's schools you must learn how to speak out on specific issues in educatuin. After viewing The Test on the included text DVD select 2 out the 4 questions to respond to.

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of high-stakes testing?
2. What types of students are most adversely affected by high-stakes testing?
3. What can schools do to minimize the negative effects of high-stakes testing?
4. What are your experiences with high stakes testing such as ISTEP, Praxis, SAT's etc.?

We Are a Community of Learners

Well we are a learning community of 20 for the fall semester 09 (19 students and 1 prof.). Isn't that great! For our next face-to-face encounter on Monday, September 21st you are to bring an object to class that describes your philosophy of life. A philosophy of life is your believe about how you live your life. It guides your decisions, attitudes, and actions. You will be required to make an oral presentation to the rest of us about your belief system concerning life. This is a higher order thinking assignment with points assigned so be creative as you ponder your beliefs about life and then select an object to demonstrate your paradigm. Most of you have commented on the first post concerning the history of your name. Check those out since these are the members of our learning community and if you have not added to the post make sure to do that ASAP.

Read: His Name is Michael from Charting a Professional Course. Why do you think names are important for human beings especially in the case of David? Select one of the questions from the Think About This section and share your thoughts.

Be the Change

Thanks for a great class today. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. I believe we will all walk away from this experience with an understanding that it is our responsibility to BE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!

Listen to the song Man in the Mirror, by Michael Jackson how does his song relate to what you will need to do to become an Effective Educator Committed to Professional Growth and School Reform?

Welcome

Welcome to EDST 20000 The History and Philosophy of Education. This course is a hybrid course which means we will meet face-to-face on campus 1/4 of the time and we will meet online 3/4 of the time. The course syllabus will provide you with the dates we will be meeting in class and online. August 24th is when our first class will meet. We will meet on campus in the technology building room 214 at 1:00 p.m. Please demonstrate professionalism and arrive a little early (no more than 15 minutes) or by 1:00 p.m. I will be in the room at 12:45 p.m. Bring a copy of the syllabus and curriculum map to class with you. You can find this on the blog under course tools.

This blog will be used as a learning tool to respond to course content and material, to take polls and collect data, and to provide you with information concerning the course. The purpose of the blog is to conduct class online and to extend the learning and discussions that occur in the classroom.

As part of your course assignments you will be required to thoughfully respond to the posts throughout the semester. Since this is a place where information is published please use correct grammar and spelling.

To get you started here is the first blog post for you to respond to: Introduce yourself and share the HISTORY of your name. How did you get your name? Are you named after someone? Is there any special meaning to your name. This can include first, middle or last name...or any combination. How do you feel about your name? Do you have any nicknames, etc.?