EDU 220 : Foundations of Education with Teaching Pre-Practicum
This course offers students a chance to historically examine the sociopolitical, cultural, philosophical and developmental foundations of U.S. education (grades 1-6). The course investigates past and current educational reforms, school structures, and teacher practices, as well as Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, while stressing the significance of diversity and equity in education. The course requires a three-hour seminar and 40 hours of field experience. Through field experiences, students will keep observational journals to allow them to critically integrate seminar topics with their observations and develop ethical and critical understanding of student identity, growth and development, learning theories, issues of diversity, developmentally-appropriate practices, different approaches to teaching and professional teaching standards. Prerequisite(s): C or better in ENG 101. Completion of 27 credits in the Elementary Education program with a GPA of 2.50 or better, or instructor's approval. Three lecture hours per week. Instructional Support Fee applies.
Course Outcomes
1. Students will describe historical, social and structural events and policies that characterize educational settings and approaches to learning in the United States.
2. Students will analyze the needs of their diverse learners as well as develop educational strategies and critical perspectives to develop learning practices that address and serve the needs of all learners.
3. By gaining knowledge on the competing definitions, conceptions, and trends of schooling and learning, students will critically evaluate the effects of different curriculum frameworks and instructional techniques on student learning.
4. Using Massachusetts state standards, students will develop aligned and inclusive learning plans and instructional techniques.