Catalog Description

Explores the personal, relational and community aspects of communication, collaboration, congruency, cooperation, and competition. The experience of participating in a democratic, inclusive, reflective learning community is designed to help aspiring teachers develop a rich understanding of how to meet the needs of all students.

Course Outcomes

As a result of participating in this yearlong course, prospective teachers will be able to:

• reflect upon and develop a deeper understanding of cultures, language patterns, values, attitudes, experiences, and behaviors
• reflect upon and learn new styles of communication, collaboration, learning, conflict resolution, creativity, flexibility, and problem solving
• utilize a variety of ways to set up, manage, and maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning for all students

Block I Learning Communities: Personal Awareness

1. Concept of learning community

• How to develop
• Elements and importance of learning community

2. Personal history and culture

• Concepts and elements of culture
• Develop awareness of personal culture
• Personal histories

3. Communication Skills

• Cross-cultural
• Expressive
• Receptive

4. Flexibility and Creativity

5. Classroom Management

Theory

Block II Learning Communities: About Diversity

1. Communication Skills

• Collaborative skills
• Conflict resolution
• Working with a mentor

2. Meeting individual needs of diverse learners

• Language
• Culture
• Strategies for working with diverse students

3. Meeting individual needs of special learners

• Inclusive classrooms
• Strategies for working with students with disabilities

4. Classroom Management

• Practice
• Reflect upon the use of a variety of strategies
• Block III Learning Communities: Reflection and Practice

1. Classroom Management III

• Create action plans for use in school placements

2. Professional Development

• Portfolios
• Teacher Culture and Politics
• Mentor Issues
• Collaboration, and Problem-Solving Skills

3. Anti-Discrimination and the Oregon Educator

Assessment

BlockI

• Students will be assessed on their ability to write essays about classroom management theories.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to identify issues and needs of diverse students, to prepare for their research project.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to develop a personal profile of their own learning styles.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to develop a personal profile of their own culture.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to express themselves in a reflective journal.

Block II

• Students will be assessed on their ability to write a first draft of a classroom management plan for their portfolios.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to identify issues and needs of diverse students, to prepare for their research project.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to develop a student learning style and culture profile.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to express themselves in a reflective journal.

Block III

• Students will be assessed on their ability to reflect upon implementation of their classroom management plan, and to write a final draft for their portfolios. .
• Students will be assessed on their ability to express themselves in a reflective journal.
• Students will be assessed on their ability to refect upon their classroom management plan.