Academic Year Follow-up Dates: 4 pm ... - University of Dayton



WeEXCEL Academies for Teachers

EDT 659 - 88 Weather, Land, and Water; Summer 2008 University of Dayton

June, 2008 – May, 2009: 13 contact hours; 7 hours out of class; 1.5 semester hrs.

Syllabus for Academic Year Follow Up, (Part II) (Academy in June 2008 was Part I)

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Instructors: Marijane Recob, Lead Flight Director, The Dayton Challenger Learning Center, Dayton Public Schools

Michael R. Sandy, Professor, Department of Geology, University of Dayton

Contact information:

Marijane Recob

E-mail: mrecob@dps.k12.oh.us

Phone: 937-542-6196

Office: Dayton Challenger Learning Center, Leo Street, Dayton

Michael Sandy

E-mail: michael.sandy@notes.udayton.edu

Phone: 937-229-2952 (office # with voice mail); 937-229-3432 (Geology Dept. office)

Office: Science Center 091, University of Dayton

WeExcel website is at:

Course Objectives:

1. To analyze current curriculum, instruction, and assessments relative to the standards and recommended teaching practices;

2. To develop and implement standards-based science lessons;

3. To deepen pedagogical understanding of student learning of specific science topics;

4. To develop and utilize appropriate student assessment techniques in science and to analyze student assessment data to inform instruction;

5. To provide multiple opportunities for self-analysis of teaching and reflection upon practice in order to improve science and math instruction;

6. To provide regular opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences among the participants regarding their implementation of standards-based teaching;

7. To provide regular opportunities for collaboration and cooperation among participants within a building and between buildings in a school district to aid in implementing curricula consistent with national and state standards.

8. To develop techniques to differentiate instruction so that all students have equal opportunities to learn science.

Required & Materials Texts: Workbook provided during Part 1; internet access and regular access to e-mail and websites required

Course activities: During the follow-up sessions, participants will learn about value-added assessment data and how it can be utilized to improve instruction.

Teachers will participate in a WeEXCEL conference on September 20, 2008 for at least 4 hours. The conference will have multiple opportunities to discuss best practices and experience STEM Curricula.

Teachers will participate in a modified lesson study in which they will review lesson plans, discuss with other teachers implemented science or math lessons, and reflect on intended and implemented practices.

Teachers will utilize assessments developed within the summer institute to determine their own students' initial understandings sometime before September 7, 2008 and will plan and implement a sequence of at least 3 lessons to improve student understanding. Student pretest scores need to be returned to your facilitator no later than September 17, 2009.

The sequence of activities will be developed over the same science indicators of the summer institute and will be implemented with assessments sometime between September 2008 and April 1, 2009. Teachers will assess student understanding after instruction (posttest) and will document results and return posttest results to their facilitator by April 7,2009.

Teachers will participate in peer reviews of other teachers' planned lessons and will reflect upon their own classroom teaching. Teacher results will be presented during a mini-conference in May 2009.

Meetings and Assignments: There are several assignments to complete outside of required meeting times (below) that will require computer access.

Please check the e-mail you have provided to your facilitator is correct so that you can receive course instructions, assignments, and keep in touch with the facilitators.

This is a provisional listing and subject to modification. Any changes will be notified by e-mail.

Meeting #1: August 11, 2008

Monday, August 11: 4:30 - 7:30 116 Health Sciences, WSU (Weather, Water and Land; Catastrophic Events; Ecosystems)

(A specific follow-up is assigned to each academy. If for some reason a participant cannot attend their designated follow-up, they must contact Abbey Brown at: abbey.brown@wright.edu to receive an alternate date, tel: (937) 775-3244)

Meeting #2: September Conference, Sept. 20, 2008

Saturday, September 20: 8:30-1:30 TBD WSU

Meeting #3: October WOEA Day, Oct. 17, 2008

Friday, October 17: 8:30 - 4:00 TBD WSU

Meeting #4 optional: March, 2009

An optional meeting of the class will occur in March. At that meeting you will have an opportunity to share the progress of your activities, your final project and have questions answered. Place and time to be determined. Probably 4:30-7:00 timeframe (is drop by).

Meeting #5: May Banquet (dinner included), May 2009

Date and time to be determined, at Wright State University.

The following assignments must be completed and sent to the facilitator by the due date given.

Assignment 1

A certificate verifying participation in the Sept. 20th WeEXCEL will be given to you and your facilitator informed of your participation. Write a one page reflection on the sessions that you participated in at the conference, making sure to note those that you found the most useful for you, and why. E-mail this reflection to your instructor by Sept. 29 for credit for the assignment.

Assignment 2

Pretest students with pretest designed in summer institute or with a test designated by your facilitator. Review the results and reflect upon what student preunderstandings are and how this may impact instruction. Describe any modifications or special considerations for instruction that the pretest results suggest.

Due October 10th. E-mail to your facilitator and be prepared to discuss pretest results during the workshop held on WOEA day Oct. 17th.

Assignment 3

Your facilitator will either e-mail you an article or direct you to a website with an article related to the topics you are teaching. Read the article and a) write a one page summary and b) write a reflection discussing the implications of the article for your teaching and your students' learnings. Your instructor will e-mail you article or website to access the article no later than Dec. 19. You need to e-mail your summary and reflection to your facilitator by Feb. 9 to qualify for full credit.

Assignment 4

Send your facilitator an update on how implementation of your activities is going. An e-mail is sufficient. Do this, regardless of whether you have finished your activities or not, by March 9.

Assignment 5

An optional meeting of the class will occur in March. At that meeting you will have an opportunity to share the progress of your activities, your final project and have questions answered. Place and time to be determined.

Assignment 6

Activities reflection and pre/posttest results and discussion.

1. Write a one page summary of the activities that you have done, including standards and briefly describing the activities. A concept map indicating where your activities fit in the "big picture" would be helpful.

2. Write a one page summary of student pre/posttest results from the test that you utilized. Include average student pretest score and numbers of students taking the pretest; average student posttest score and numbers of students taking the posttest, and any data from items that students did particularly well or poorly on.

3. Write a reflection on how the activities went, what the pre/posttest results mean to you, and plans for modifications in the future. One page is sufficient.

4. Create a PowerPoint slide show with at least a) a summary of the activities that you did, b) the student average pre and posttest scores, with sample test items that students did exceptionally well or poorly on, and c) your interpretation of the results and implications for future curriculum revisions or instructional changes. This PowerPoint will be presented in the May mini conference (about 5 minutes presentation)

5. Assemble #1-3 with the activities and the student pre/posttest results by item (no student names), and a copy of the pre/posttest into a folder or binder. Give this to your facilitator at the May meeting. Make sure you keep a copy for yourself - you will not be getting the materials back.

Homework: Teachers will have several assignments to complete outside of meeting times that will require computer access. Teachers must regularly check the e-mail that they have provided to their facilitator for course instructions and assignments.

Questionnaires: You are required to participate in questionnaires designed to assess your perception of your level of preparedness to teach specific content and utilize specific pedagogical techniques. No grade other than participation grade is given.

Evaluation:

Teachers will be evaluated on participation and performance in all activities.

Attendance is required: Since all activities require participation, it is expected that teachers will attend all follow-u sessions and complete all follow-up activities. Stipends will only be awarded to teachers who have attended and participated fully.

In the event of a documented illness or emergency, teachers need to contact their facilitator to see if assignments can be made up. Only in the event of a documented emergency or illness will project directors consider prorating stipends to the attendance of the participant.

Grading Scale: Grading scale: A = 92.5+; A - = 90-92.49%; B + 87.5-89.9%; B = 82.5-87.49%; B - = 80.0-82.49%; C + 77.5-79.9%; C = 72.5-77.49%; C - = 70.0-72.49%; < 70% = F.

Please note that to receive stipend for participation in the academy, you need to attain a C or better in the summer institute component and a C or better in the academic year/ follow-up component. Stipends will be distributed in May, 2009 at the end of the academy.

Point Distribution:

Course Activity % of total grade________

Participation in August meeting 10%

Participation and reflection (assignment 1) on Sept. conference 10%

Assignment 2- pretest scores and analysis 5%

Participation in Oct. all day workshop 10%

Assignment 3- article summary and reflection 10%

Assignment 4- giving facilitator email update 5%

Assignment 5- folder/ binder with all components 40%

Miniconference and presentation in May 10%

100%

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