Course Fee: $90
Course Numbers: EED x701, SED x701
Standard Course Time: 15 hours
Semester Credits: One (1) academic credit at the post-baccalaureate level (available for an additional fee)
Credit Issued by: Cal Poly Humboldt (refer to our University Credit page for credit pricing and details)
Subject Area: Special Topics
Author: Todd Whitaker, Ph.D.
Any teacher can fill a bookshelf with books about education. Any teacher can study lists of guidelines, standards, principles, and theories. The best teachers and the worst teachers can ace exams in their undergraduate and graduate classes. The difference between more effective teachers and their less effective colleagues is not what they know. It is what they do. This course is about what great teachers do that sets them apart. Clarifying what the best educators do, and then practicing it ourselves, can move us into their ranks.
This course is broken into major parts called modules. Each module contains content sections. Within each section, we cover one or more of the outlined learning objectives for the module. At the end of each module, there is a quiz. Some modules include a project. The breakdown for modules within this course is as follows:
Learning Objectives:
Project 1: What Defines a Great Teacher?
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
Learning Objectives:
Project 2: Teacher, Parent and Child
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
Learning Objectives:
Project 3: The Challenge of Classroom Management
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
Learning Objectives:
Project 4: What Matters Most
Quiz: Multiple-choice questions that pertain to objectives above.
multiple choice questions taken from each module
Learning statements should be in a narrative format – as opposed to an outline format. Depending on individual writing styles Learning statements should be 2-3 pages. The learning statement can vary according to individual style. Your learning statement should answer the broad question of "what did you learn?". To help get you thinking, here are some suggested questions:
The difference between a good teacher and a great teacher is rooted in the teacher's ability to accurately self reflect with an emphasis on fine tuning high expectations for him/herself. For this project:
Now that you have had some time to look at your list and identify the various characteristics of each teacher:
Visit the "Module Projects" section located within the Course Dashboard, and take a moment to share your findings by submitting your project reflection.
If you are not currently teaching (ie. Summer break, you are a substitute teacher, etc.), each class offers you the ability to complete coursework independent of a classroom assignment.