|
|
|
|
COURSE SYLLABUS for Curriculum and Instruction: Improving Student Achievement Chapman University, Orange, CA, Course Number, EDUC 9560B Introduction Curriculum and Instruction is the cornerstone of teaching and learning. During your investigation of you will read and respond to various aspects of the mission of curriculum and instruction -- to provide leadership, service and support for the development and implementation of research-based curriculum to ensure that all learners achieve at high levels. The ASCD web site has information on current topics. For a list of topics and sample chapters from ASCD publications visit http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.62bf453ae2bc40a98d7ea23161a001ca. Topics that relate to curriculum and instruction include, but are not limited to the following: 6. Differentiating Instruction 8. Gifted and Talented Education 9. Inclusion 10. Mentoring 16. School Safety 18. Special Education 19. Standards 20. Other
ASSIGNMENTS -- Overview This is a three-unit course, so you will be required to log a minimum of 15 hours of work for each unit for a total of 45 hours for the course. This course requires completion of five assignments. Each assignment will be explained in detail. 1. Textbook Reading and Review 2. The Journal 3. Curriculum and Instruction Project 4. Annotated Time Log 5. End of Course Reflections
Assignment # 1 -- Professional Reading and Review
You have many choices for reading in this course and may select the book. Please email the instructor prior to reading it. All students taking an independent study course must read a textbook and complete this review assignment. The textbook should reflect the goals for the course and the course content and should discuss relevant learning theory or practice. Books that are primarily lesson plans, craft activities (patterns, cut-outs), or books that are not applicable to the classroom or goals of the course are not acceptable. Some courses may require selecting a book that is more general in scope than the specific course title. For instance, students taking the “Interactive Bulletin Board” course might read a book on how to use bulletin boards to enhance the learning environment or they might choose a book on the importance of hands-on learning experiences for children. It may not be possible to find a book that deals specifically with interactive bulletin boards. However, the textbook should be as specific as possible to the chosen course or courses. You do not need to read an entire book or even all the pages from one book. You may choose certain applicable chapters from two or more books. Fill out a separate Textbook Review Page for each book or part of book read. The following number of pages are required for all individualized studies courses: 1 unit course: 100 pages 2 unit course: 200 pages 3 unit course: 300 page After reading the book(s), write a short review that answers the following questions:
The time you spend reading and reflecting on your chosen book will count as part of your logged time for this course. Please enter this time on the enclosed Annotated Time Log. Assignment # 2 -- The Journal
Your journal is the vehicle that you will use to record what you learn about the curriculum or instruction topic. It may also offer an opportunity for you to tell how the research applies to your classroom or life. It may also help you explore your creativity, learn more about yourself, document a case study of a student, unwind at the end of the school day, record your thoughts for later reference, or create a record of your curriculum and instruction work? Your journal may be in a written or scrapbook format. You might even illustrate it. Be as creative as you know you can be. This is a great opportunity for thinking outside the box. There are no wrong answers! You will need to be able to turn your learning into something that can be used in your classroom. Important: Please do not submit work that you’ve completed prior to signing up for this class. Use this time to research and apply what you’ve learned to this new project. This assignment should be fun and relaxing as well as a journey into learning more about effective teaching strategies. How long should the journal be? To receive credit for this assignment, your journal should be at least 10 pages in length. These pages can combine sketches, pictures, and other graphic tools to enhance your reflective writing. Please send in copies rather than the originals of your work unless you provide a SASE for the return of the originals
Assignment # 3 -- Curriculum and Instruction Project
One purpose of this course is for you to become excited about an area of curriculum and instruction. With the knowledge that you have acquired from your reading design and complete a project that applies that new understanding. Your application should connect what you have learned to your classroom or professional life.
Assignment # 4 -- Annotated Time Log
Create an Annotated Time Log using the form included in this syllabus or a similar one of your own. You not may include time spent on regular classroom activities for which you are already compensated. You may include time spent reading and reflecting, researching, and creating course related lesson plans or activities. Example
Assignment # 5 -- End of Course Reflections
“Practice without reflection is not practice at all.”* Reflection is one way to dialogue with yourself about a learning experience. The purpose of this short reflection is to help establish what you have learned while studying and researching for this course. Use this page or create a page on your computer and answer the following questions. · Did I accomplish what I set out to accomplish? · What did I learn that was useful to me as an educator? · How did this learning change my thinking or practice? · What more would I like to learn about the subject? RESOURCES
Because this topic is so broad, please research and locate a book that would be appropriate for your topic of study. Please send the name and author of the book to the instructor for approval before you begin. |
|
