Module 5, Week 15

CLO 1 - Describe the diversity of students and its impacts on schools.

CLO 2 - Examine various educational models and the role of schools in communities and with government. 

CLO 3 - Analyze teacher practice and decision-making. 

CLO 4 - Explore the professional and ethical complexities of teaching. 

CLO 5 - Synthesize foundational elements of education into a personal philosophy of education and teaching. 

CLO 6 - Evaluate professional learning of pre-service and in-service teachers and educators. 

Academic Vocabulary & Concepts in the Field of Education

Student learning is a multifaceted concept, but at its core, it's about the process (and outcome) of students acquiring knowledge, skills, and understanding. Here are two main ways to think about it:

• The Process of Acquiring Knowledge and Skills - This view emphasizes the active engagement of students in learning activities. Students don't passively absorb information; they learn through experiences designed to help them develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to apply knowledge in new situations. 

• The Outcome of Educational Experiences - This perspective focuses on the measurable knowledge, attitudes, and skills students gain from instruction and participation in educational activities. These can include test scores, projects, presentations, or even changes in behavior that demonstrate a new understanding.

Primary Concept - What do I need to do to get out of college with a degree? 

When it comes to surviving and thriving in college, your college counselor knows what’s what. They are an invaluable student resource and provide many services — academic advising, career searching, mock interviews, transitional help, and more. They’re also a primary source for college life advice. Here is what they might say if you asked them! 

Get Organized - College offers a lot of freedom, but sometimes, that freedom can feel a little overwhelming. Keeping track of due dates, meetings, events, and deadlines can feel more structured. Counselors suggest utilizing a calendar or planner. Usually given out in the first class, the syllabus is another excellent way to track assignments and projects. Since it outlines what‘s due when for the whole semester, deadlines won’t sneak up on you.

But “get organized” goes beyond just due dates. Keep your resumes up to date, save exceptional essays or other work samples, write down job/internship details like start date and job responsibilities, and keep a log of professional contacts you’ve made — you never know when all that will come in handy.

Don’t Procrastinate - Following the last tip can ease the temptation to put things off until tomorrow. Even so, you’ll have a moment to decide whether you should start your eight-page research paper or blow it off for another round of Netflix. Resist that urge. Your stress levels will be much lower if you regularly do your assignments on time—a head start on them.

Counselors suggest creating a schedule for working on assignments or projects. Treat it like you would a class — make a time each week, every day, or every other day dedicated to classwork, and follow it! You will likely maintain that schedule if you highlight it on a calendar or have a notification on your phone.

Go. To. Class. - This may seem obvious, but the temptation to stay in bed rather than trek out to your classes can be hard to resist. But you’re at college for a reason — to further your education. You worked hard to get in, you’re paying for it, and success (or failure) can determine your future. Go to class!

Many professors offer two or three days you can miss without penalty. As tantalizing as those are, it’s best to save them for the right opportunities, like being sick or swamped with projects. Losing even one day of class can significantly impact your understanding of the material. It’s always best to make the effort and go. There’s also a growing trend of professors adding “attendance points” to your grade, so repetitive skipping can hurt you in more ways than one.

Network - College is a time to meet many new people from all walks of life. It’s also the perfect place to start forging relationships. Writing research essays and studying for finals can be stressful. Having good friends to rely on and have fun with will make college all the more enjoyable. Meet as many different people as possible by joining clubs, participating in sports or activities, attending events, or hanging out with classmates.

Networking includes more than just making friends with peers, however. Counselors encourage students to forge good relationships with professors, bosses, co-workers, academic advisors, and other mentors; you may need their help. Professors and former bosses can write recommendation letters. A co-worker might know a guy who knows a guy who needs an intern with your qualifications. The better your advisor knows you, the more they can help guide you towards your future goals. Build a strong and diverse network while at school.

Study - Many like to point out that the word “studying” is “student + dying,” but that’s probably because they’re practicing poor study habits. Not to say that studying is the most exciting thing in the world, but it can be made less miserable (and more effective) by doing it well. Counselors are chock full of helpful study tips.

• Don’t cram: frantically reading several chapters the night before will not work; you’ll tire and stress yourself out. Instead, study a little each night the week before and regularly quiz yourself. Be distraction-free. The lure of the internet is powerful. Unplug or block your favorite social sites and put your nose to the grindstone.

• Find the perfect spot: whether it’s in the library, outside on the quad, or tucked away in a coffee shop, find the place where you can properly concentrate.

• Noise: every student learns differently. For some, total quiet is needed. Others need the lull of nearby conversations or even music. If you study music, it’s recommended to stick to soundtrack instrumentals or classical pieces.

• Take breaks. Hunkering down and working hard for long periods can actually be counterproductive. Instead, reward yourself with a break every thirty minutes or so. Your stress levels will lower, and your brain can start fresh and relaxed again, thus retaining the information better.

Take Advantage of Resources - There are enough helpful resources on campus to make your head spin: computer labs, writing centers, libraries, academic advisors, scholarships, social awareness groups, student health centers, and tutors, to name a few. Counselors suggest using each one to your advantage—resources are available, so why not use them?

Many universities have gyms as part of the tuition package. Lots of colleges have an IT center for quick fixes. Libraries have much more than just books; you’ll do plenty of papers, and the library is a prime resource for research materials. Not to mention, it’s a great place to study or collaborate on group projects.

College is a huge transition. If you’re unsure of what path you want to take or what to do to chase down your interests, visit your academic/career advisor regularly for more information and suggestions. Not quite sure your essay is up to par? Have someone at the writing center peer review it before you submit it for a grade. All of these resources (and more) are there to help you, so use them!

Meet Your Professors - One of the most often-told pieces of advice to college students is to get to know their professors. There are numerous advantages to building a relationship rather than just sitting in class and never speaking to them. Not only can it make asking them for help (with recommendation letters, advice for writing a paper, extra help understanding the material, etc.) easier, but it can also make the class more enjoyable.

Even if you’re in a lecture of 600 students, it’s worth introducing yourself. Make an impression. Visiting professors during their office hours shows initiative. Not to mention, one-on-one time can be used to ask questions and clarify topics or double-check on project requirements. Some professors might be willing to preview your essay and offer suggestions. Others might give you some wiggle room with deadlines if something comes up. Even if you get stuck with a professor you don’t like or doesn’t particularly teach well, it’s worth the effort to get to know them.

Apply for Financial Aid - Whether you’re paying with scholarships and working two jobs or your parents are footing the bill, fill out your FAFSA and apply for scholarships. Receiving extra funds can only help. Lowering the amount of student loans you must take out will reduce debt and stress. You might find that you qualify for aid you didn’t know about.

There are so many scholarships and grants available. Apply to as many as you qualify for, and double-check that you’ve met all the requirements for each one. A common misconception is that only incoming freshman receives aid — not true! Each and every year, you fill out your FAFSA. Capitalize on other aid opportunities as well.

Cultivate Experiences - They say college is a time to make memories that will last forever. Well, whoever “they” are, they’re right. Colleges offer unique events, activities, social groups, and opportunities. On the entertainment side, universities can host things like concerts, festivals, campus-wide games, and movie marathons. Socially, campuses are a hot spot for activism, fundraisers, and awareness campaigns. They are filled to the brim with all sorts of student organizations. Whatever interests you, get out there and make some memories!

College is also the prime time to earn career-oriented experience. Employers need to take into account high school activities or achievements. It’s crucial to gather impressive resume items and connections. Potential employers like to see students involved in their academics and their community. Leadership opportunities and volunteer work look good on a resume, not to mention you’ll be making positive impacts, too. Counselors also highly recommend part-time jobs and relevant internships. A great place to get started is at career fairs.

Take Care of Yourself - We’ll let you in on a not-so-well-kept secret: college is stressful. With so many significant changes — moving away from home, being in charge of your schedule, demanding course loads, projects stacking up, finance problems, friend drama, and dreaded finals — anyone can feel overwhelmed. When tensions are high, it’s easy to forget that taking care of yourself is just as important as getting good grades.

Ramen and Easy Mac are cheap, quick meals but aren’t the most nutritious. Make sure to maintain a healthy diet. Beat that mythical Freshman 15. Hit up the gym, walk instead of riding the bus, or join a Zumba class.

Lots of students can feel homesick in the first year. Luckily, in today’s age, there are numerous ways to keep in contact with people back home. Set up Skype dates or email regularly. Even good old-fashioned snail mail can alleviate some of the yearnings. If the stress is starting to hit you hard, talk to campus therapists or spend time with some therapy dogs. And be sure you get plenty of sleep. When you’re feeling your best, you do your best work — so remember to take care of yourself.

If you take these pieces of advice to heart and learn even more from your counselor, you’ll be in for smoother sailing and a more rewarding college experience. Remember that every student is different, so experiment and see which methods work best for you.

Primary Concept - How will I engage in Lifelong Learning? 

As professionals, we constantly learn. We must demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, tooling, and re-tooling. This process always continues, though it does begin with being a licensed professional. Please know what you're expected to do to complete it. 

At this stage, you need to make some decisions about your future. Please research and share your choices in completing teacher education at UH Manoa. If you are not pursuing teaching, please use any program to communicate your goals. 

This assessment requires you to consider your plan for learning and completing a teacher preparation program. Please let me know your choice of program. Please share any available admission information. You must communicate the requirements for student teaching and program completion, including licensure. You'll need to indicate your ideal school of choice and make some generalizations about what you think it will be like working in that community and in that position. 

• College of Education - Program Sheets & Plan Templates

• Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) - if you have any questions about your application or the admission requirements (808-956-7915, osas@hawaii.edu)

• Elementary Programs Overview

• Teaching in Hawaii - What is Licensure?

• Funding Your Degree - UHM

• Applications to COE - https://coe.hawaii.edu/how-to-apply/ 

• HIDOE Teacher Recruitment - https://www.teachinhawaii.org/ 

• COE Fingerprinting

Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) - Licenses and permits https://hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org/content/permits-and-license-types/ 

Assessment 5.3 - Educational Philosophy - Becoming a Professional - Part III  

Module 6, Finals - Evaluations, Evaluations, Evaluations