EDU-210 Assignment-Specific Questions
Here are some common concerns that students encounter when completing assignments. As a reminder, please refer to rubrics before beginning your assignment, as all assignments are graded using those. And if I haven’t addressed your question here, please send me a message using the Questions for Instructor Forum or Individual Forum, if it is personal in nature. Thanks!
Viewing the Rubrics
Before beginning each assignment, please be sure to view the rubric, as it tells you exactly how you will be graded. In our course, some rubrics are included as attachments in the assignment directions, and other rubrics are embedded in the course. To view those auto-rubrics:
Viewing Weekly Feedback from the Instructor
It's also important that you view your feedback each week on submitted assignments, as I share with you what you did well, as well as any areas of improvement. Here's how you view feedback:
Module 1: Fingerprints & TaskStream
While you do not have to submit anything to me for these two assignments, please do work diligently towards obtaining your fingerprints (you cannot be in a classroom without these!) and setting up your TaskStream (you will need this for one of your Module 2 assignments). Remember, additional resources for TaskStream are located in the Student Success Center, as well as in the General Resources tab above (once there, visit the TaskStream page).
Module 1: Why Teach?
In a 250-500 word narrative, explain why you want to teach! Be sure to include the following in your essay:
1. Use examples and/or quotes from at least three of the five teachers from the reading (for an A paper, include all five).
2. Discuss why you want to teach, who/what inspired you, what grade level you would like to teach (and why), and what strengths you possess that will enable you to be a good teacher.
3. Use examples and personal experience as necessary.
4. GCU style is not required, but it’s good practice, so why not start now!!! Include a heading, a title, and a references page – even better, download the GCU Style Template. For more details about GCU style and the template, check out the General Resources tab above (once there, visit the GCU Style page).
5. And, as always, use common sense with written skills; this means use spell-check and grammar-check, include strong paragraphs with topic sentences, and proofread your work before submission. Again, there are more writing resources in the General Resources tab above (once there, visit the Writing page).
1. Use examples and/or quotes from at least three of the five teachers from the reading (for an A paper, include all five).
2. Discuss why you want to teach, who/what inspired you, what grade level you would like to teach (and why), and what strengths you possess that will enable you to be a good teacher.
3. Use examples and personal experience as necessary.
4. GCU style is not required, but it’s good practice, so why not start now!!! Include a heading, a title, and a references page – even better, download the GCU Style Template. For more details about GCU style and the template, check out the General Resources tab above (once there, visit the GCU Style page).
5. And, as always, use common sense with written skills; this means use spell-check and grammar-check, include strong paragraphs with topic sentences, and proofread your work before submission. Again, there are more writing resources in the General Resources tab above (once there, visit the Writing page).
Module 2: Students in the 21st Century
You need to go to a public place and observe students (anywhere between K-12)—the mall (maybe sit in the food court for while), a movie theater, a park, etc. As you observe, take notes about what the students are doing, saying, and wearing. You will write your observations in a 500-750 word reflection; be sure to describe what you observed and note any insights you may have about these observations. For example, if you observe students talking with friends but also texting at the same time, be sure to include your own ideas as to what this reveals about how students of today communicate.
Module 2: Teacher Pulse Inventory
This one's pretty straight-forward...simply take the "Teacher Pulse Inventory" located in TaskStream. Then, when you reach the confirmation page at the end of the inventory, take a screenshot and submit to the appropriate dropbox in LoudCloud. Don't know how to take a screenshot? Try this site for several how tos: http://www.take-a-screenshot.org/
Module 3: Movers and Shakers in Education
It's time to get researching in this 750-1,000 word essay. After reviewing the Virtual Timeline in our course material, you will choose four people/events to research. Here are some important reminders:
1. Use the readings and the GCU library to support your selections; don’t forget to use GCU Style for in-text citations and a references page. For more help, check out the General Resources tab above (then navigate to the GCU Style link).
2. Include images to accompany each person/event (these images can be placed next to the appropriate paragraph, or placed at the end of your essay). This can be an image of the person, an image of the event, or an image that is associated with the person/event. For example, if I chose Socrates, I may use an image of him, an image of a Greek location, or an image related to philosophy.
3. Be sure to check out the rubric to see how your work will be graded.
4. Don’t forget to submit your paper to Turnitin; if your score is greater than 20%, you need to go back to your paper and work on paraphrasing/summarizing/quoting your research. Again, for more help, check out the General Resources tab (then navigate to the Avoiding Plagiarism link).
1. Use the readings and the GCU library to support your selections; don’t forget to use GCU Style for in-text citations and a references page. For more help, check out the General Resources tab above (then navigate to the GCU Style link).
2. Include images to accompany each person/event (these images can be placed next to the appropriate paragraph, or placed at the end of your essay). This can be an image of the person, an image of the event, or an image that is associated with the person/event. For example, if I chose Socrates, I may use an image of him, an image of a Greek location, or an image related to philosophy.
3. Be sure to check out the rubric to see how your work will be graded.
4. Don’t forget to submit your paper to Turnitin; if your score is greater than 20%, you need to go back to your paper and work on paraphrasing/summarizing/quoting your research. Again, for more help, check out the General Resources tab (then navigate to the Avoiding Plagiarism link).
Module 4: U.S. Education Today and Tomorrow
You will be researching and describing four trends in education (with 3-5 resources) and presenting your ideas in a 15-20 slide PowerPoint presentation – in order to discuss the future of American education.
In addition to the 15-20 slides, please be sure to include detailed slide notes below (details about this in the General Resources tab above). Finally include in-text citations and references using GCU style. If this is your first time using PowerPoint, I think you'll enjoy this useful tool (it comes in VERY handy for teaching lessons!); again, more details about creating PowerPoint presentations in the General Resources tab above. And for a handy How To Video, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZUwFwooMrY.
In addition to the 15-20 slides, please be sure to include detailed slide notes below (details about this in the General Resources tab above). Finally include in-text citations and references using GCU style. If this is your first time using PowerPoint, I think you'll enjoy this useful tool (it comes in VERY handy for teaching lessons!); again, more details about creating PowerPoint presentations in the General Resources tab above. And for a handy How To Video, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZUwFwooMrY.
Module 5: Educationese
PowerPoint time again! For those of you still learning this program, it’s a great time to continue to stretch your wings and practice. Reminder: You’ll find lots of PowerPoint tips in the General Resources tab above.
Be sure to include the following in your presentation:
1. Title slide
2. 30 term slides – be sure to include the term, a definition (in your own words), the process for this term in education (e.g. how does it relate to education?), and a picture for each term.
3. Citations and a References slide using GCU style – Remember to include these when using outside sources.4. When you submit your PowerPoint, you may find that it's too large for uploading. Have no fear! Try creating a zipped file of your presentation (it basically compresses your work into a smaller file). Here's a brief tutorial: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compress-uncompress-files-zip-files#1TC=windows-7.
**Need to see a sample? Check out the attached PowerPoint below:
Be sure to include the following in your presentation:
1. Title slide
2. 30 term slides – be sure to include the term, a definition (in your own words), the process for this term in education (e.g. how does it relate to education?), and a picture for each term.
3. Citations and a References slide using GCU style – Remember to include these when using outside sources.4. When you submit your PowerPoint, you may find that it's too large for uploading. Have no fear! Try creating a zipped file of your presentation (it basically compresses your work into a smaller file). Here's a brief tutorial: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compress-uncompress-files-zip-files#1TC=windows-7.
**Need to see a sample? Check out the attached PowerPoint below:
sample_student_educationese.ppt | |
File Size: | 653 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Module 6: Conceptual Framework and Ethical Dispositions Chart
For this assignment, you will be using the matrix (located in the week 6 course materials of our class) and comparing the following two documents: "Code of Ethics: Association of American Educators" and "Grand Canyon University College of Education Conceptual Framework" (both located in the week 6 course materials of our class). Here are a few tips:
1. The Teacher Candidate Proficiencies and Dispositions are located on pages 12-20 of the Conceptual Framework (you can use both for your assignment).
2. Look for similarities between the two documents - What concepts do they have in common? What ideas seem similar? You will find seven similarities and list those on the left-hand side of the matrix/chart. Here are a few hints of possible similarities: teacher as role model, student confidentiality, integrity, professional growth, protect students/equality, conduct with colleagues. I think this will help get you started!
3. After you have identified the seven similarities, you will then rate them from 1-7 (one = most important to you). Then explain why you selected this rating for each area.
4. Please be sure to include citations for all information taken from sources, as well as a list of references at the end of your matrix/chart.
1. The Teacher Candidate Proficiencies and Dispositions are located on pages 12-20 of the Conceptual Framework (you can use both for your assignment).
2. Look for similarities between the two documents - What concepts do they have in common? What ideas seem similar? You will find seven similarities and list those on the left-hand side of the matrix/chart. Here are a few hints of possible similarities: teacher as role model, student confidentiality, integrity, professional growth, protect students/equality, conduct with colleagues. I think this will help get you started!
3. After you have identified the seven similarities, you will then rate them from 1-7 (one = most important to you). Then explain why you selected this rating for each area.
4. Please be sure to include citations for all information taken from sources, as well as a list of references at the end of your matrix/chart.
Module 7: Legacy Statement
It's time to let reflect on what you've learned throughout the course and think about the legacy you want to leave at the end of your teaching career. Use the sentence starters in the Syllabus, as well as the "Statement of Educational Philosophy" in the College of Education Conceptual Framework, to help you craft your 500-750 word piece. This assignment does not require any outside research - it can be straight from the heart! However, do remember to use effective organization, proper grammar and mechanics, careful proofreading, and review the rubric. Finally, don't forget to submit your document to Turnitin, as it will be over 500 words. I can't wait to read about your legacy!