Intro to Education/Ed Tech

I. Mission Statement:  The primary goal of the Education Program is to encourage the best and brightest of Jonesboro High School’s students who possess exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills to consider teaching as a career.  An important secondary goal of the program is to provide these talented future community leaders with insights about teachers and schools so that they will be civic advocates of education. 

II. Objectives: The objectives for Intro to Ed and Ed Tech are based on the standards found in the Arkansas and EdRising Curriculum Standards. Students who successfully complete Teacher Cadet with a passing grade of 70% or higher will have demonstrated the abilities, concepts, knowledge, and skills required to do the following: 

1. Identify characteristics of self as a learner (e.g. learning styles, multiple intelligences) 

2. Explain the concept of self-esteem regarding the learner 

3. Identify and explain the stages of human growth and development 

4. Identify the components of effective groups 

5. Recognize barriers to learning and develop methods of dealing with these problems effectively 

6. Distinguish between effective and ineffective teaching 

7. Explain and demonstrate the process of teaching 

8. Identify and utilize various methods of instruction 

9. Participate in an extended field experience assisting a teacher with individual tutoring, group monitoring and tutoring, and whole class instruction 

10. Research the history and development of education in the public schools 

11. Distinguish between various alternatives to public education—private schools, home schooling, etc. 

12. Explain the structure/organization of a school and a school district 

13. Research on the Internet and debate in class various educational issues 

14. Explain how individuals and schools react to and handle the need for change 

15. Develop one’s own vision of the transformation of education 

16. Achieve Apple Teacher Certification by earning online badges. (IPAD or Mac)

III. Student Course Materials: Arkansas and EdRising Curriculum; various books and films related to the teaching field.  The students will be responsible for their own notebook/Google folder and the teacher will provide the course materials to fill the notebook/Google folder throughout the course. Students will also receive access to the class Canvas materials.

IV. Course Outline: The course will be taught in the sequence of units within the curriculum. When necessary, the teacher will make adjustments to the course calendar.

College Credit: All students who qualify for the Teacher Cadet course may receive college credit through the Arkansas State University. Students must complete registration paperwork provided by the college and in compliance with Jonesboro High School.  Students must also meet the ASU criteria for student enrollment. ASU course code UC120 Foundations of Education is the concurrent course title. The course is a three-hour (credit) course that can be transferred to public colleges or universities in Arkansas. Students need to check with their chosen institution to make sure the class transfers. It is the student’s responsibility to request that this credit is transferred to the college of their choice. 

V. Grading, Student Records, and Homework: Student progress is assessed during each grading period of the course. Methods of demonstration, modeling, teamwork in pairs and small groups, hands-on activities, projects—research, computer work, multi-media, presentations, tests, readings, essays, participation, class observations and self-evaluations will be used for assessment. Students will receive grades through a total point system. Each assignment will be given a set number of points, and the total will equal the grade for the quarter. Students will be required to prepare a portfolio.The field experience will be assessed through writing, handout completion, observations, and lesson plans. In order to go on field trips and observations the student must be in good standing with the school’s discipline and attendance policy. Students are expected to attend the entire duration of observations and field trips.

Class Procedures and Class/School Rules: Students are advised to follow the rules and procedures, as well as the expectations for the class. The Teacher Cadet instructor will explain those procedures as part of lesson assignments. Students must follow the JHS handbook.

VI. Major Curricular Topics:  The curriculum is updated by ADHE and EdRising.

VII. Absences & Make-up Policy: Students are expected to make up previously announced tests or turn in previously assigned projects the day they return to class.  A student has three days to make up any work assigned during an absence. Work assignments may be found on Google Classroom. If a student is excused from an observation day they must complete the alternate assignment to make up the points and time. Students must achieve the required observation hours for each class.

Communication: The students may communicate with the instructor through email. Students are expected to check Google Classroom on a regular basis for assignments and announcements.

Non-Instructional Routines: Each student will have parents or guardians sign a permission form for observations and field trips for the course. 

Attendance/Tardy Policy: The policies are set forth by the school. During the field experience, it is extremely important that students inform the supervising teacher at the assigned school and 

Mrs. Goodin if the student is to be absent on an observation day. This may be done the day before, but must be no later than 8 a.m. on the day of the absence. 

IX. Suggestions for Study Skills: As this is a college credit course, students are expected to maintain all work on the level expected of a college freshman. This means fulfilling all assignments, whether they be essays, research projects, group projects, or reading assignments. Timeliness is not just expected; in this course it is demanded. Late work will not be accepted and will result in a failing grade! Be aware that grades below a C will not transfer in college; therefore, the student will not receive the college credit if the grade is a D.

X. Academic Assistance: Students may arrange to meet with the instructor at any time that is mutually convenient.

XI. Classroom management – Students are expected to behave in a respectful way as it relates to people, property, and others’ rights to learn. Failure to do so will result in appropriate punishment. 

When students are the guests of other schools during observations and field experience, they are expected to follow all rules of Jonesboro High School and represent the school in a manner that brings honor and dignity to the school and to the Teacher Cadet program. Failure to do so may cause removal from the program.

XII. Honor Code. The Academic Honesty Policy is being implemented to ensure that students submit credible work that is evident of their content mastery. Students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon its originality. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

XIII. EXTRA The students will be able to take 3 concurrent courses in our program of study. They will complete a total of 80 hours of observations. Students will be able to take the CTA after the 3 courses.

EdRising Region 3 Conference at Arkansas State University.