COURSE SYLLABUS

Philander SmithCollege

Division of Education

Course Prefix and Number: MCEA 411

Course Title: Praxis II Seminar: Principles of Learning and Teaching

Credits: 1Hour

Seminar Time: W 1-1:50pm

Classroom: AC233

Instructor: Dr. Melanie Kennon

Email: ; ,

Office Location: AC 215

Office Hours: Office Hours are posted on office door or by appointment.

Telephone Number: 501-370-5322 Office; 501-951-3758 Cell

Textbook: There is no text for the course. However, Praxis II-PLT test preparation materials will be utilized to guide and enhance preparation and review sessions.

Course Description: The purpose of this seminar is to provide structured support to middle level teacher candidates as they prepare for successful completion of the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching licensure assessment for Grades 5-9. Middle level teacher candidates will participate in review, analysis and synthesis of pertinent pedagogical content they have obtained in the teacher preparation program in areas such as educational psychology, human growth and development, classroom management, instructional design and delivery techniques, evaluation and assessment, and other professional preparation experiences.

NMSA:Standard 1. Young Adolescent Development.

Standard 2. Middle Level Philosophy.

Standard 3. Middle Level Curriculum and Assessment.

Standard 4. Middle Level Teaching Fields.

Standard 5. Middle Level Instruction and Assessment.

Standard 6. Family and Community Involvement.

Standard 7. Middle Level Professional Roles.

Pathwise: Domain A. Organizing Content Knowledge for Student Learning

Domain B. Creating an Environment for Student Learning.

Domain C. Teaching for Student Learning.

Domain D. Teaching Professionalism.

Arkansas Licensure Standards:

1. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches.

2. The teacher plans curriculum appropriate to the students, to the content, and to course objectives.

3. The teacher plans instruction based on human growth and development, learning theory, and the needs of students.

4. The teacher exhibits human relations skills, which support the development of human potential.

5.The teacher works collaboratively with school colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support students’ learning.

Course Objectives:

Teacher candidates will

  1. Strengthen their knowledge base and ability to apply concepts of human growth and development, classroom management, evaluation and assessment, instructional design and delivery techniques, and educational psychology
  2. Increase their ability to understand and apply concepts and strategies learned in pre-professional teacher education courses to real world experiences in the classroom.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of professional standards for middle childhood education and licensure standards (Pathwise / Praxis III)
  4. Successfully complete the Praxis II- Principles of Learning and Teaching with a passing score as outlined in Arkansas teacher licensure requirements.

Topics Covered:

  1. Students as Learners
  2. Student development and the learning process
  3. Important Theorists
  4. Important Learning Theories
  5. How students construct knowledge
  6. Students as diverse learners
  7. How students learn: learning styles, MI, gender differences
  8. Exceptionalities
  9. Legislation
  10. Approaches to accommodations
  11. Second language acquisition
  12. Cultural influences
  13. Student motivation and the learning environment
  14. Theory
  15. Important terms
  16. Classroom strategies
  17. Effective classroom management
  18. Instruction and Assessment
  19. Instructional strategies
  20. Cognitive processes
  21. Instructional strategies
  22. Direct instructional models
  23. Student-centered models
  24. Resources for enhancing learning
  25. Planning instruction
  26. Standards, frameworks, goals, units, objectives
  27. Connecting goals to learner’s experiences
  28. Assessment strategies
  29. Types
  30. Characteristics
  31. Scoring assessments
  32. Use
  33. Communication Techniques
  34. Basic effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniques
  35. Effects of cultural and gender differences on communications in the classroom
  36. Types of communications and interactions that can stimulate discussion in different ways for particular purposes
  37. Profession and Community
  38. The reflective practitioner
  39. Resources
  40. Why reflection is important
  41. The larger community
  42. Role of school in larger community
  43. Factors in students’ environment outside of school
  44. Involving parents/guardians in educational process
  45. Major laws related to student’s rights and teacher responsibilities
  46. Reading Case Studies
  47. Two Kinds of Cases: Teacher-Based and Student-Based
  48. Two Different Formats: Narrative and Document-Based
  49. Test Taking Strategies
  50. Practice Test

Expectations:

  1. Students will attend regularly scheduled class/study sessions.
  2. Students will create and adhere to a plan of study for the Praxis II exam.
  3. Students will devote time weekly to review their progress in preparing to take the Praxis II PLT exam in their area of licensure.

Students with Disabilities Policy:This course adheres to the students with disabilities policy outlined in the 2011-2013 Philander Smith College Catalog.

Attendance Policy: This course adheres to the attendance policy outlined in the 2011-2013 Philander Smith College catalog.