Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 600 Teacher as Leader – Summer 2016 A
Credits - 3
Description
This course will enhance your classroom-based experiences by linking those experiences with professional research skills. Teachers will learn how to locate and critically review a wide range of professional resources. Teachers will take significant steps toward becoming teacher leaders by combining their classroom based knowledge, articulating that knowledge from a research-based framework, successfully navigating school cultures, and learning from their seasoned peers. Exposure to this information will instill in teachers an understanding of their leadership potential and responsibilities in the school setting.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
The mission of the Department of Education is to develop–through research, service, and innovative teaching–reflective teachers and school leaders who are competent and caring lifelong learners committed to innovative and effective practices. In addition, four guiding principles are used in development and delivery of all programs and courses (see Student Handbook for more details):
- Rigorous mind
- Compassionate heart
- Reflective stance
- Competent demonstration
We have also aligned our courses with the Maine Teacher Certification Standards (MITSC) and the
ISLLC Standards for School Leaders (Interstate Standards for School Leaders). Given this backdrop, the following objectives have been identified for EDU 600 and matched to the Department’s guiding principles and the MITSC and ISLLC standards.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
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Search and locate professional education resources [competent demonstration; [Maine Standard 1; ISLLC Standard 1]
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Articulate key research results and instructional implications regarding: cognitive processes, non-linguistic representations, summarizing and note taking, motivation to learn, and homework [rigorous of mind, competent demonstration; [Maine Standard 4;ISLLC Standard 2]
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Relate and apply research results to their own classroom, building or district [rigorous of mind, reflective stance, competent demonstration; [Maine Standard 1; ISLLC Standard 2]
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Describe idealized Professional Learning Community (PLC) models [rigorous of mind, compassionate of heart; [Maine Standard 1; ISLLC Standard 1]
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Articulate and analyze PLC models to their own school building or district. [rigorous of mind, reflective stance; [Maine Standard 1; ISLLC Standards 1,2]
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Model and apply the National Educational Technology Standards for Students; [Maine Standard 11]
The MSEd program enacts the mission listed above by recognizing that experienced teachers and administrators provide rich resources for professional development. Online learning provides a unique opportunity for the development of a community of learners. Faculty and students alike are devoted to learning through collaboration in research and service within the degree program and their professional environment.
Assignments
This online course respects your significant professional knowledge based upon your classroom experiences. Often though, teachers are unable to share that knowledge with others and collaborate to address significant concerns as well as connect educational research to their practice thereby providing leadership for improvement in their school. This course’s goals are to facilitate your doing just that. This course will enhance your classroom-based experiences by linking those experiences with professional research skills. Designed to foster best practices, the course structure supports acquiring knowledge, skills and cohort experiences that will continue to be threaded through several MSEd courses. Teachers will learn how to locate and critically review a wide range of professional resources. Teachers will take significant steps toward becoming teacher leaders by combining their classroom based knowledge, articulating that knowledge from a research-based framework, successfully navigating school cultures, and learning from their seasoned peers. Exposure to this information will instill in teachers an understanding of their leadership potential and responsibilities in the school setting.
Threaded Discussions
You will post a response to a question or problem presented in the weekly whole class or small group threaded discussion forum. Your initial post must be completed by the end of the day on TUESDAY. The initial post should include at least one in-text citation and reference in APA format. Replies must be submitted by the end of the day on Sundays of each week. In Week 3 you will complete a Self-Evaluation of your participation in the discussions.
APA Quiz
Throughout the MSE program, you are are required to adhere to APA style/format for all discussions and written assignments. This quiz will give you an opportunity to check your understanding of APA style/format and review the APA Publication manual. Note: You can take the quiz as many times as you wish until a perfect score is achieved.
Written Assignments
There are 4 written assignments throughout the course. Each assignment asks you to synthesize the course readings and relate the course studies to your work.
Independent Research Project
The Independent Research Project is comprised of two parts, Part I: Topic Selection & Research and Part II: Literature Review.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignments | 100 Total Points |
|---|---|
| 6 Threaded Discussions: 3 Class; 3 Group | 5 points each, 30 total points |
| Week Three: Threaded Group Discussion | 2 points |
| Self-Evaluation | 3 points |
| Quiz on APA Style/Format | 5 points |
| 4 Written Assignments | 10 points each, 40 total points |
| Part I Independent Research Project (Research Summary) | 10 points |
| Part II Independent Research Project (Literature Review) | 10 points |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Written Assignments: Due by 11:59 PM EST on Sundays (except Week 8)
Group Discussions: Part I ends at 11:59 PM EST on Tuesdays; Part II ends at 11:59 PM EST on Saturdays (*)
Class Discussions: End at 11:59 PM EST on dates listed below
|
Modules |
Activities |
Due Dates for Written Assignments; End Dates for Each Part of Group Discussions |
|
Week 1 Introductions; Websites |
Class Discussion |
May 8 |
|
Week 2 Teaching Strategies |
Group Discussion Written Assignment APA Quiz Collaborate Session |
Part I: May 10; Part II: May 14 May 15 May 15 TBD – see Announcements in the Course |
|
Week 3 Cooperative Learning Self Assessment |
Group Discussion Written Assignment |
Part I: May 17; Part II: May 21 May 22 |
|
Week 4 Summarizing and Homework |
Group Discussion Written Assignment |
Part I: May 24; Part II: May 28 May 29 |
|
Week 5 IRP, Part I |
Class Discussion Written Assignment |
June 1 June 5 |
|
Week 6 PLCs, Part I |
Group Discussion Written Assignment Collaborate Session (Literature Review) |
Part I: June 7; Part II: June 11 June 12 TBD – see Announcements in the Course |
|
Week 7 PLCs Part II |
Written Assignment |
June 19 |
|
Week 8 IRP, Part II |
Class Discussion Literature Review |
June 22 (a Wednesday) June 22 (a Wednesday) |
(*) End date only, for each part of group discussions.
Group discussion expectations for early, ongoing and quality participation (EOQ) will be made available by each instructor.
Student Resources
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.