Syllabus
This is the syllabus for Shawn Cornally’s section of Exploring Teaching (3.00 CEUs). I am a science and math teacher at Solon High School.
Contact: shawn.cornally@kirkwood.edu
Time: 6:00 – 8:50 PM, Tuesdays (Please be on time)
Location: Rm 256, Iowa City Campus
Dates: Aug 23 – Dec 13
Prereq: None
Course Materials: Books and course materials for this course are available at the Kirkwood Bookstore.
- Lemov, D., (2010). Teach like a champion: 49 Techniques that put students on the road to college. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
- Provenzo, E.F., (Ed.). (2011). The Teacher in American society. Los Angeles: SAGE.
- Van Oort, D., (2011). The Role of the paraeducator…and other mandated competencies for State of Iowa paraeducator certification. Kirkwood Community College.
Course Description:
Introduces the roles and responsibilities of teachers and other educators. The focus is on developing generic teaching skills applicable from prekindergarten through high school. Microteaching is used to simulate actual teaching situations. Typical teaching problems and educational issues are discussed. Students interview and/or observe teachers at work.
Objectives:
- Understand the diversity of roles required of teachers and other educators (paraeducators, speech pathologists, principals, counselors, librarians etc.).
- Develop a working definition of excellence and evidence-based practice, as it applies to teachers and paraeducators.
- Recognize the necessity for democratic classroom procedures.
- Recognize the importance of developing a positive safe and healthy classroom atmosphere.
- Recognize the importance of adapting instruction to facilitate the integration and success of culturally, linguistically and ability diverse learners.
- Develop a better understanding of teaching as a career through the assessment of professional dispositions.
- Evaluate controversial issues in the field of education.
- Develop the following skills at a beginning level of proficiency:
- Write objectives
- Plan lessons
- Evaluate strengths and improvements needed in lesson plans
- Teach microteaching lessons
- Cooperate as a member of a team
- Ask questions to stimulate discussion
- Listen thoughtfully and responsively
- Use effective verbal and non-verbal communication
- Promote independence
- Integrate technology to support student learning
- Understand the importance of teaching standards
- Develop an understanding of the Iowa Core Curriculum
Grading & Assessment:
To align with the above stated goals, I will be using the assessment-for-learning strategies outlined in the Iowa Core Curriculum. These strategies include: Standards-Based Grading, heavy use of formative feedback, and rigorous reassessment policies. We will discuss these strategies at length in class.
Here are the highlights:
- Your grades are delineated by concept, not assignment.
- Assignments, tests, papers, what-have-you, will reflect one or more concepts.
- Your grades can go up or down based on your most recent performance (Hopefully, up)
- Grades are not the product of education, learning is. Your grades will reflect what you learn about teaching.
- Your progress will be available at: http://shawncornally.com/BlueHarvest/ You will get your login information at our first class.
- Every concept is worth the same amount
- Your final grade will be the percentage of concepts for which you have demonstrated proficiency.
The Fine Print:
Class Attendance:
As stated in the Student handbook: In compliance with Public Law 105-244, Kirkwood Community College makes a wide variety of general institutional information available to students. For additional information, go to: http://www.kirkwood.edu/pdf/uploaded/630/student_handbook.pdf
Productive Classroom Learning Environment:
See student handbook: http://www.kirkwood.edu/pdf/uploaded/630/student_handbook.pdf
Plagiarism Policy:
See student handbook: http://www.kirkwood.edu/pdf/uploaded/630/student_handbook.pdf
Campus Closings:
See student handbook http://www.kirkwood.edu/pdf/uploaded/630/student_handbook.pdf
Americans With Disabilities Act:
Students with disabilities who need accommodations to achieve course objectives should file an accommodation application with Learning Services, Cedar Hall 2063 and provide a written plan of accommodation to your instructor prior to the accommodation being provided.
Miscellaneous Policies:
- Feel free to email (shawn.cornally@kirkwood.edu) your written assignments as attachments to shawn.cornally@kirkwood.edu. Do not send your assignment in the body of the email. Your work will not be considered “turned in” unless you receive a receipt email.
