PENN STATE HARRISBURGEDUC 314/Fall 2003 Denise G. Meister, Ph.D.Learning Theory and Instructional Procedures (717) 948-6539 (Office)Tuesdays and Thursdays (717) 948-6681 (fax)9 a.m. until 11:30 noon [email protected] (e-mail)Room E-245 OlmstedWeb Page: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/d/g/dgm122Introduction. This undergraduate course has been designed for those individuals seeking secondary level teacher certification in Pennsylvania. The course has been planned to complement the other courses included in Penn state Harrisburg’s professionaleducation sequence and, generally, should be completed prior to enrolling in the required secondary methods course. Class schedule. Officially, classes are to be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 until11:30 a.m throughout the semester; however, since the course EDUC 314 has been designed and scheduled along with a significant field experience (i.e. EDUC 313), students should anticipate course related activities at any time within the period of 7:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the semester.Instructor’s office hours: Tuesdays from 2 until 4 and Thursdays from 2 until 3 and other times by appointment.Course Goals. At the conclusion of this course, students should:1. Process-related goalsa) experience significant improvement in their own learning capabilities;b) be capable of engaging productively in problem-solving tasks related to improving theeducation of adolescents;c) be knowledgeable regarding the variety of strategies and resources available for the instruction of young adolescents and for the continuing professional development of middle level and secondary educators;d) understand the current and potential impact that emerging technologies can have on student learning;2. Content-related goals:e) understand how to provide school/classroom environments and instruction that are responsive to the developmental needs of adolescents;f) be capable of ensuring that an equitable and quality education is provided to all middle level/secondary students, regardless of their cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, race, gender, ethnicity, or special needs;g) be skillful in the utilization of research-based management and teaching strategies appropriate to their instructional objective and students;h) be competent in the utilization of a variety of relevant classroom assessment strategies.2Required textbook. Woolfolk, A.E. (2000). Educational Psychology. (8th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.Additional professional resources. In addition to the required course textbook, studentswill be expected to utilize a wide variety of professional sources (e.g. journals, books, microfiche, video, electronic resources) to enhance their understanding of the course content. Course content. “Learning Theory and Instructional Procedures” will focus on a variety of topics related to the education of adolescents in grades 7-12. Among other topics, course enrollees will read and research in the following areas: 1. Current Issues and Trends in Secondary Education 2. Learning in the Information Age* Constructivist Classrooms* Learning to Learn (Better) 3. Developmental Theories* Physical Development* Cognitive Development* Psychosocial Development* Moral Development 4. Issues of Diversity* Cultural Backgrounds and Socioeconomic Groups* Race, Gender, Ethnicity* Intelligences* Special Needs 5. Information Processing Theory/Cognitive Learning Theories 6. Other Learning Theories* Behavioral Learning Theories* Social Learning Theories 7. Higher Order Thinking/Problem Solving/Creativity 8. Motivation and Learning 9. Classroom Organization and Management10. Measurement and Evaluation11. Technology and Learning 12. –other topics, as determined to be appropriate by students and instructor3Course requirements. Students will be required to engage in a variety of learning activities during the semester. More detailed explanations of some of the course requirements will be provided in class at the appropriate time. Assignments/Activities Total Points1. Electronic Assignments 40 2. Class Test 703. Article Summaries/Critiques (4) 204 Article Summaries/Critiques (4) 205. Group Investigation Project -- Class Presentation 506. Final Examination 807. Class Participation 20 TOTAL Possible Points 300Attendance policy. Each student is expected to attend and participate in each scheduled class. After the initial class session on September 4, the first class absence without a doctor’s excuse will result in two points deducted from an individual’s total accumulated points; the second class will result in a reduction of three points; and the third class absence will reduce the student’s point total by an additional four points. Each additional class absence, up to a total of 8 absences, will result in a four-point reduction. Students who are absent for more than eight class periods will not receive a passing grade for the course. Also, students who miss the final two classes (December 2 and 4) without a valid excuse will lose 5 points per missed class. Grading system. Each student’s total accumulated points, adjusted for class absences, will be converted to a final letter grade using the following chart:288 - 300 A 249 - 254 C+282 - 287 A- 228 - 248 C276 - 281 B+ 210 - 227 D261 - 275 B Below 210 F255 - 260 B-Academic honesty/plagiarism. Except in those instances when students are engaged in collaborative efforts, it will be expected that students will complete and submit their own work. Ideas taken verbatim or paraphrased from other sources should be clearly 4acknowledged through the inclusion of appropriate reference notes. All references cited within the written document and on the reference page must be completed in APA Style. When in doubt regarding the proper way to handle a specific situation, students should consult with the course instructor. Instances of academic dishonesty may result ina failing grade for the course and, further, may lead to suspension from the University.See this web site for the academic policy, including the rights and responsibilities of students and instructors: http://www.hbg.psu.edu/hbg/acadpolicies/acadint.html.NOTE: Please make me aware of any learning or physical limitations. Weather policy. The College has an official policy regarding