Great Basin College

EDSC 315

Secondary Methods Practicum III

Fall 2013 Syllabus

Instructor: / Thomas Reagan
Office: / EIT 251
Phone: / 753-2214
email: /
SKYPE: / thomas.reagan
Office Hours: / By appointment or Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30-12:00
Course Information
Title: / Secondary Methods Practicum III
Number: / EDSC 315
Discipline: / Teacher Education
Description: / Third in a sequence of field and clinical experience courses in a secondary classroom. Students will spend approximately 30 hours in the middle-level or high school classrooms. The portfolio and admission process is explained.
Co-requisites: / Methods course
Location: / EIT 203
Times: / Three Tuesdays 7:00-8:15 PM and one 7:00-9:45. Time will vary within this block. Please see schedule.
Credits: / 1 credit
Textbooks
Required Textbooks: / Students will be provided with the Field Experience Handbook
Method of Instruction
On-campus class discussions/presentations
Field observations
WebCampus assignments
Course Requirements
Fingerprint Check
Students must pass the Regional Policy Check and FBI Fingerprint Check required by the state of Nevada (should have been completed during EDSC 311). After receiving results from Student Services, secure a GBC photo ID to wear during each school visit.
Course Expectations in the Classroom
  • Once assigned a cooperating teacher, set a schedule where you will work with one or two classes for a total of at least 30 hours.
  • Work with a learner or a small group of learners under the teacher’s supervision.
  • Teach at least three lessons provided by the teacher or approved by the teacher.
  • Dress appropriately and professionally for the classroom.
  • Display attributes: Act professionally, communicate appropriately and effectively, comply with procedures and rules, encourage learners, maintain a positive attitude, be prompt, respect learners from diverse backgrounds.
  • Keep an accurate time sheet (that you create). It will be signed by the cooperating teacher at the conclusion of your field experience.
In addition to the required Classroom Expectations, you must
  • Attend all classes.
  • Complete assignments and discussions as required in WebCampus.

Policy Statements
Late Work: / All assignments are due on the date listed on the syllabus or when assigned in class by the instructor. Late work is not accepted.
Attendance Policy: / You must attend all classes and workshops.
Students with Disabilities: / GBC supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at 775.753.2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate accommodations.
Student Responsibilities
Read and understand the contents of the GBC catalog.
Become familiar with all GBC policies and procedures.
Be aware of all GBC deadlines, including dates for registration, change of registration and fee payment.
Contribute to the maintenance of a campus environment conducive to intellectual curiosity, civility, and diversity.
Keep GBC informed of changes in address, phone number, enrollment changes which might affect financial aid awards and/or any other circumstances which could affect satisfactory progress toward a degree.
Policy of Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected in this course. All student work must be original and authentic. Any acts of cheating, copying, and/or plagiarizing are violations of the UCCSN code of conduct and will be taken seriously. Students who cheat, copy another’s work, or plagiarize from the Internet or other sources will fail the course regardless of other course work and are subject to dismissal from the academic institution. The definition of plagiarism as adopted by the GBC Faculty Senate is:
“Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s word, ideas or data as one’s own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references; and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. In academically honest writing or speaking, the students will acknowledge the source whenever:
Another person’s actual words are quoted
Another person’s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely paraphrased in the student’s own words
Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the information is common knowledge.”
Recycling one’s own work from another class is also considered plagiarism.
Learner Outcomes
Learner Outcomes / INTASC / Measurement
The teacher works with others to create environments that supportindividual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive socialinteraction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation. / Standard 3 / Teacher evaluation
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differingperspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, andcollaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues. / Standard 5 / Teacher evaluation,
Discussion topic in WebCampus
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies toencourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and theirconnections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. / Standard 8 / Teacher evaluation,
Lesson Plans
The teacher understands and knows how to usea variety of self-assessment and problem-solvingstrategies to analyze and reflect on his/her practice andto plan for adaptations/adjustments. / Standard 9 / Lesson Plans,
Reflection
The teacher understands schools as organizations within a historical, cultural, political, and social context and knows how to work with others across the system to support learners. / Standard 10 / Teacher Evaluation,
Reflection
The teacher knows how to contribute to a common culture that supports high expectations for student learning. / Standard 10 / Teacher Evaluation
Grading Policy
EDSC 315 is graded as Pass/Withdraw (P/W).
In order to receive a Pass, students must:
  • Complete all requirements in the course
  • Receive at least 260 points
Regardless of the points earned, a student must withdraw from EDSC 315 if s/he:
  • Receives a poor evaluation from the cooperating teacher
  • Has an unexcused absence in the field classroom

Course Outline
Due Date / Location / Description / Points
9/10 / On campus
7:00-8:15 / ATTEND! You should hopefully receive your placements at this time. We will go over the syllabus and expectations including FERPA regulations and goal statements / 30
9/24 / WebCampus / Placement and schedule confirmation. Acknowledge that you have met with your lead teacher and provide a tentative outline of your field schedule and which class/classes you will be working with. / 5
9/24 / WebCampus / Submit your goal statement detailing which INTASC standard you will be concentrating on. / 5
10/8 / On campus
7:00-8:15 / Discussion on classroom management. Bring to class the assignment for the Ridnour book (see WebCampus). / 50
11/18 / WebCampus / Submit a reflection about one of the two lessons you taught. (see WebCampus) / 15
11/19 / On campus
7:00-8:15 / INTASC review and lesson reflection. Be prepared to share with the class your successes and challenges during your teaching. / 50
12/2 / WebCampus / Final reflection. At the end of your field experience, write a 1 page reflection. Consider the strengths you will take from this experience, how you have grown as a pre-service teacher, and what you believe are your next steps to improve your teaching abilities. / 15
12/3 / On campus
7:00-9:45 / You will present one artifact from your portfolio.
Bring your timesheet and teacher’s evaluation (in a sealed, signed envelope). If your lead teacher prefers to email a copy to me that is fine, but I must receive it by this date. It will be your responsibility to make sure I get these pieces. / 30
Successful completion of your field experience hours / 100
TOTAL POINTS / 300