EDC 371: Classroom Interactions
Spring 2005
Unique# 08300

Instructor: Jennifer Christian Smith
Office: SZB 462B
Phone: 232-9682
Email: jenn.smith@mail.utexas.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 11:00-12:00 , Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 , and by appointment
AIM: drjennsmith

Master Teachers:

Teaching Assistant: Erin Atwood
Office: SZB 346
Phone: 471-8729
Cell: (817) 521-8527
Email: edatwood2@msn.com
Office Hours : By appointment

Course Description:

This course contributes to the professional development sequence by providing prospective teachers with the opportunity to examine and analyze classroom instruction. Specific aspects of classroom interactions will be explored and analyzed as they relate to mathematics, science or computer science instruction. A supporting field experience that consists of observing and teaching in a secondary school setting will provide an opportunity for students to understand the complexity of interactions in the classroom.

Course Information:

•  Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:00 in SZB 344.
•  This course will as “paperless” as possible. Assignments will be posted, submitted, and returned via BlackBoard. (MS Word is preferred for written assignments.) I will occasionally post assignments on BlackBoard without specifically mentioning them in class. It is your responsibility to check BlackBoard regularly for course announcements and assignments. To access BlackBoard, go to http://courses.utexas.edu , and log in with your EID.

Instructions for submitting an assignment via BlackBoard:

•  From the course page, click on TOOLS.
•  Click DIGITAL DROP BOX.
•  Click SEND FILE. (Note that if you click ADD FILE, your file will be added to your account on BlackBoard, but it will NOT be sent to me. I will only get it when you use the SEND button.)
•  Click BROWSE to select the file from your machine/disc/USB stick. Give it a descriptive title, like "Eliza Sanchez, Assignment 2."
•  Click SUBMIT.

Course Materials:

•  Course readings: A packet of readings will be made available at IT Copy. Please bring your copy of the day's reading assignment to class for reference during discussions. Additional readings may occasionally be posted on BlackBoard as PDF files.
•  You will be required to purchase a micro-cassette recorder and audio-tapes in order to audio-tape your interactions with students. You'll find better prices for these off-campus. For example, they're available at Walgreens and Wal-Mart for approximately $25. Another option is to purchase a digital voice recorder . These are more expensive ($40 at Best Buy or CompUSA), but you won't have to purchase tapes and can listen to the data you collect on your computer or MP3 player. If you have a PDA, it may already have a digital voice recorder built in. You'll need to be able to record 5-10 minutes of audio.
•  I highly recommend that you purchase a USB memory drive , if you don't have one already. Since assignments are electronic, it may be helpful to keep them with you in such a portable format, in case of the occasional glitch in the system. Prices on these vary according to size, but you can get a 128Mb drive for $40 or less at CompUSA or Best Buy.

Course Evaluation:

(A) Participation in clas s (15%) - This grade will be based upon student attendance and contribution to discussions. Excessive absences and lack of contribution will affect this portion of your grade. If you have more than two unexcused absences, your course grade will be affected! (See rubric below.)

(B) Rationale for Teaching (15%) – The rationale is a document that requires a student develop his/her ideas about student learning and expand these ideas beyond intuitive notions. The rationale grade will be based upon the quality of the final document and the drafts that are presented throughout the semester. A rubric to assess the rationale revisions and the final rationale will be made available on Blackboard.

(C) Field component (40%) – This class requires at least 8 hours in the field, of which 6 hours will require the student to instruct a class of high school students over several days. The field component aspect of the course that will be assessed includes, but is not limited to; documenting the field hours, video and audiotaping the lessons, revising the lessons, written reflections on your experiences, and sharing these personal reflections in class.

(D) In-class assignments (20%) – Throughout the semester various assignments will be made that relate to the topic of the class. (See assignments handout and rubric below.)

(E) Final exam (10%) – The course final will consist of a reflection, essay question, and short answer questions. The final will be comprehensive and will draw upon information learned throughout the semester.

Grades for the course will be awarded based upon the following percentage points:

100 – 90% - A
89 – 80% - B
79 – 70% - C
69 – 60% - D
59 or below – F

Grades on written assignments are awarded according to the following rubric:

A: Work is complete, original, insightful, and of a level of quality that exceeds expectations for the course. Assignments demonstrate in-depth understanding of the course issues, a high level of analytical skills, reflection, and creative thought, and are clearly presented with negligible errors in grammar and source referencing (where appropriate).

B: Work is complete, of a level that meets expectations and is of a quality that is acceptable and appropriate for the course. Assignments demonstrate a solid understanding of course issues, good analysis, reflection, and creative thought, and are clearly and neatly presented with limited errors in grammar and source referencing (where appropriate).

C: Work is partially incomplete, late, and/or of a level that only partially meets expectations for the course. Assignments demonstrate inconsistent or superficial understanding of course issues with little analysis, reflection, or creative thought demonstrated and/or contains significant grammatical errors and inconsistent or non-existent source referencing.

D: Work in incomplete, late, or of a level that does not meet expectations for the course. Assignments demonstrate limited understanding of course issues and exhibit little analysis, reflection, or creative thought. Assignments contain significant errors.

Participation Grade Rubric

If your participation does not meet the standards for a C above, you will receive a participation grade of D. This is bad.

Course Policies:

•  Attendance is the responsibility of each class participant. Two or more absences may reduce your grade. Please inform me in advance of your absence via phone or email. Do not schedule make-up exams or labs, or meetings with other instructors during class time. These will be regarded as unexcused absences.
•  Reading assignments need to be completed on time. Completion of the required assignments will assist each class participant in engaging in the weekly conversation. Read, reflect, and prepare in order to participate effectively in class.
•  Written assignments are due before class on the due date; i.e., 9:30 am . Late assignments will be marked down by at least one letter grade, and will not be accepted if they are more than one week overdue.

Note:    Any student with a cognitive or physical disability who requires academic accommodation should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259.  For information see: www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/ssd/