Missouri Western State University
College of Professional Studies – Department of Education
Participation in Teaching I EDU 203
Fall  2008 Arranged

Dr. Debby Bogle, Coordinator of Clinical Placement     

Education Office: Murphy Hall 111 - L
Department Phone: 816 - 271 - 4332
Dr. Bogle's Phone: 816 - 271 - 4304
Email: bogleds@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Website: http://academic.missouriwestern.edu/bogleds

Welcome to the Missouri Western State University Teacher Education Program. The following graphic is offered to help clarify where you are in the program:

Department of Education Conceptual Framework - The MWSU philosophy of teacher education has as its focus the early and gradually intensifying identification of self with the teaching profession through performance-based learning experiences and assessments. In this course you are entering Phase I (awareness) of your development as a potential teacher.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: EDU 203 is a laboratory course taken concurrently with EDU 202. During this off-campus experience, the participant serves as a teacher assistant. This exploratory course provides concrete exposure to teaching, students, and the school. Taken the same semester as EDU 202.

MWSU Department of Education Standards Addressed by This Course:

Standard 3 – Adapting Instruction for Individual Needs – The teacher candidate understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

Standard 9 – Reflection and Professional Development  -The teacher candidate is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of her/his choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.

Standard 11 - Technology - The teacher candidate is able to use technology resources for class activities, assignments and research.

Course Objectives Linked to Standards: Students are expected to know and be able to demonstrate their understanding of:

1. the differences of individuals, their learning styles, and culture uniqueness (INTASC/MWSU Standard 3).

2. utilizing technology for class activities, assignments and research (INTASC/MWSU Standard 11).

3. utilizing reflective thinking and writing approaches to record their observations and learning (INTASC/MWSU Standard 9).

Professional Behaviors Linked to this Course:

  1. Attendance – The future teacher candidate attended the experience as assigned.  If an absence was necessary, advance notice was given to the host school and the MWSU supervisor.  Any absence was made up pending the approval of the Coordinator of Clinical Placement.
  1. Punctuality – The future teacher candidate reported to the host school at the assigned time and stayed for the assigned time.  The teacher candidate completed any assigned tasks within the prescribed time and recognized how punctuality affects others.
  1. Appropriate Appearance – The future teacher candidate’s appearance in dress, personal hygiene and physical behavior was appropriate for the classroom and complied with the host school’s policies regarding dress and behavior.
  1. Self-confidence – The future teacher candidate exhibits appropriate confidence and poise in working with teaching professionals and students for an initial field experience.
  1. Positive Attitude – The future teacher candidate exhibits a positive attitude toward the teaching profession and those engaged in it, respecting the diversity of all individuals.  He or she seeks or accepts tasks or assignments in a positive, pro-active manner.
  1. Professional written communications – The future teacher candidate demonstrates the use of standard English in written communications with teaching professionals, parents and students.
  1. Professional oral communications - The future teacher candidate demonstrates the use of standard English in oral communications with teaching professionals, parents and students.
  1. Ethical behavior – The future teacher candidate conducted him or herself in a professional and ethical manner during this experience.  He or she respected the issues of personal property, personal space, personal differences related to working with others.  Further, the future teacher candidate respected issues of confidentiality related to student information and followed all MWSU and host school policies.
  1. Mature reasoning or judgment – The future teacher candidate demonstrated an understanding of the role and boundaries of a teaching professional.  He or she remained objective in dealing with emotional issues and could recognize the complexity of situations.
  1. Personal Mannerisms – The future teacher candidate displayed personal mannerisms that were compatible with a teaching professional.  These mannerisms included appropriate facial and physical behaviors as well as gestures and language.

Grading Scale:  This course is evaluated on a Credit/Fail basis.  Future teacher candidates must have a satisfactory rating on at least 8 of the 10 professional behaviors to receive a “Credit” rating. However, a significant weakness identified by the host school or MWSU supervisor in any one category may result in a failing grade.   In addition, the four essay assignments must be completed and receive a passing score.

Click here for a copy of the 203 school experience evaluation form.  

See your 202 professor for the scoring guides for the in-school and Diversity essays.                                    
Course Methodology: In order to assist you in accomplishing the objectives and professional behaviors stated above, you will participant in an off-campus placement in a school. You will demonstrate your progress toward the standards and professional behaviors by observation essays and supervisor and cooperating teacher evaluation.

Meeting Times: Initial information regarding the 203 placement will be given during your 202 class during the first week of classes.  All students should to go to  http://academic.missouriwestern.edu/bogleds scroll down to EDU 203 and click to bring up that page.  This webpage has the variety of forms that are needed in the 203 course. After accessing the syllabus, the most important form is your application for the 203 experience.  Click on that link (203 application form).  Once you have the form before you, you can highlight the form and copy/save to your computer.  This will allow you to complete the form at your convenience.  Once you have completed the application form, save the form to your computer, print two copies of the form and give one to Dr. Bogle by the due date.  If I am not in my office, please leave the form in the box outside my door. 

After completing the 203 application information, you will be assigned to a school.  If you do not complete an application, you will not be assigned a school.

You will observe at your assigned school approximately two hours per day, two days per week for eight weeks for a minimum of 30 hours - Further you are required to complete a diversity paper, and disposition paper.  These will be turned in to your 202 instructor for a grade and given to your supervisor during your exit interview.  You will observe MWSU's schedule so you will not have to attend during Spring Break.

The diversity interview and paper, disposition paper and  your  timesheet for your  experience should all be given to your Western supervisor at your final evaluation meeting held between December 1-5, 2008.

Text: There is no text for this course.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Attendance: Learning is a social activity. Someone has said that education is caught, not taught. It is in the context of participation and cooperation that one really learns, for learning does not come solely by reading an assignment or by writing. Learning is full, rich and rewarding when the learner is fully engaged, engaged with the teacher, the text, the assignments, and with other learners. Surely, it is this kind of learning you desire for your students when you are teaching in your own classroom. Therefore, it is important that you start your career as an educator in a responsible and professional manner. Attend all assigned observations and be on time.  If you miss class due to circumstances beyond your control, please notify me and your supervisor as soon as possible at 816-271-4304 or bogleds@missouriwestern.edu  All experience times must be completed by November 21. Please see the course schedule for a summary of due dates and experience times.

Assignments: At this stage of your coursework it is vitally important that you view each assignment as an opportunity to participate in and benefit from a learning experience that may be crucial for your success and satisfaction as a teacher. Teaching is a relational activity and how relationships are built and nurtured can determine success or failure, satisfaction or discouragement. Much of what you do now can preclude problems later, when more is at stake. Your assignments are due to your 202 professor and your MWSU supervisor on the date due. The following outlines the assignments for this course:

1. Observation essays:

a) Structure, Discipline and Pedagogy of the Classroom - Due -

b) Working with Diverse Learners – Due

2. Final evaluation meeting – Please schedule this meeting with your Western supervisor sometime between December 1-5, 2008. You must meet with your MWSU 203 supervisor to review your evaluation, disposition paper, and diversity interview.  You cannot pass 203 without verification that this meeting occurred.  You will receive an "F" in 203 if this meeting is not verified by December 5, 2008.  This "F" will prevent you from being accepted into the Western Teacher Education Department. 

IMPORTANT: Time management is a crucial skill for an educator. You should plan your time so you are able to meet assignment and meeting deadlines.

Web Page: All items in this syllabus are also available through a link on my website:  http://academic.missouriwestern.edu/bogleds

Center for Academic Support: Located in the Northeast corner of the library building (Hearnes Center - 213), the Center for Academic Support is a free service of the college. The Center offers help primarily for writing and math. Should you need help, you may wish to call staff at the Center at 271-4524 or stop by Hearnes Center 213 to make an appointment.

Special Needs: If you have a special need, e.g. hearing loss, learning disability, etc. that requires special arrangements, please inform the instructor after the first class meeting so that proper arrangements can be made. Please be sure you have contacted Michael Ritter, Director of Special Needs/Disability Services in Eder Hall 202B.

Appeals: If at any time you feel that I have treated you or your work unfairly, first make an appointment with me to discuss the issue or provide me with a written description of your perceptions and position. If discussions with me fail to resolve the matter, please make an appointment with the chairperson of the Education Department.

Academic Honesty: Cheating of any sort is not tolerated and, if caught, will result in a zero being given on a test or assignment. Check your student handbook for your rights regarding any disciplinary procedures.

DIVERSITY: This course will address the diverse nature of today’s classrooms. You will be expected to address diversity issues in your discussions and writings.

GRADES: Grades can alert you to areas of strength and areas of weakness and can indicate the degree of professional effort you are investing into the development of teacher knowledge, skills, and strategies. This is a professional course and professional performance is expected. A Credit or Fail grade will be given at the end of the semester.  The 10 professional behavior criteria and the essay assignments have been identified for you.  Specific expectations for the essay assignments will be given by your 202 professor. If you have any further questions, see or email me.