SED-455 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. Thanks!
Module 1: Understanding Student Misconceptions
This 1,000-1,250 word essay has three parts:
- Part 1: Identify and describe a common student misunderstanding from your content area (be sure to review those listed in chapter 2, page 51 and pages 54-55 of our textbook - you need to identify one that is NOT in the textbook). Be sure to include the specific name of the content area.
- Part 2: Analyze how backward design approach would address this student misunderstanding (at least 2-3 paragraphs).
- Part 3: Defend or qualify, explaining why you would make progress in eradicating the key obstacles to future understanding (at least 3 paragraphs). This is where the research comes in, as you must use at least three peer-reviewed articles from the GCU Library to support your explanation.
- Since this is a 400-level course, we are using APA style 6th edition for all paper formatting; please refer to the APA Style Guide in the Student Success Center (there are also a few additional resources in the General Resources > APA Style tab above).
- Please remember that strong writing includes an introduction and a conclusion.
- For help using the GCU eLibrary, please visit this page: http://www.gcu.edu/Student-Affairs/Library/Tutorials.php.
Module 2: Clarifying Content Priorities
It's time to look at three theoretical camps regarding curriculum design: traditionalists, conceptual empiricists, and reconceptualists (critical theorists). You will look at the strengths and weaknesses of each camp; then you will come up with your own personal position regarding curriculum theory. Please be sure to use research to support your analysis; this includes the topic 2 readings and at least THREE peer-reviewed articles from the GCU Library. Compile your findings in a chart or graphic organizer. You will find a template available for use below, or come up with your own design.
m2_clarify8ing_content_priorities_template.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Module 3: Gaining Clarity on Curricular Goals
You will be using the "Key Design Elements Template" to complete this assignment.
1. Select a content-area standard, learning objective, or learning outcome from YOUR content area and complete all boxes on the template. For example, as an English teacher, I may select the following standard in order to complete one of my five template:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.5: Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
2. You will be completing FIVE templates (five standards/objectives/outcomes total).
3. Please save all five templates in ONE document and submit to the dropbox. You'll find the template below (with all five templates in one document for you).
1. Select a content-area standard, learning objective, or learning outcome from YOUR content area and complete all boxes on the template. For example, as an English teacher, I may select the following standard in order to complete one of my five template:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.5: Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
2. You will be completing FIVE templates (five standards/objectives/outcomes total).
3. Please save all five templates in ONE document and submit to the dropbox. You'll find the template below (with all five templates in one document for you).
keydesignelementstemplate_five_total.docx | |
File Size: | 41 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Module 3: Six Facets of Understanding
This assignment has several components:
1. Create a chart/matrix/graphic organizer identifying and describing the Six Facets of Understanding (see this handout for more details regarding the Six Facets). Remember that graphic organizers come in all shapes and sizes! You can create a Prezi or use Piktochart, if you're feeling tech savvy. Or you could create a graphic organizer using Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher). See images below to help spark your creativity.
2. Brainstorm at least three activities for each facet (activities need to be appropriate for grades 10-12). You may include the activities in the chart/matrix/graphic organizer.
3. Create TWO content area lesson plans that incorporate a total of SIX activities (3 activities per lesson) that represent the six facets of understanding. You'll find lesson plan templates in the Student Success Center or in the General Resources tab > Lesson Plans above.
4. Write a summative assessment for each lesson plan.
**Please compile ALL components in ONE document.
1. Create a chart/matrix/graphic organizer identifying and describing the Six Facets of Understanding (see this handout for more details regarding the Six Facets). Remember that graphic organizers come in all shapes and sizes! You can create a Prezi or use Piktochart, if you're feeling tech savvy. Or you could create a graphic organizer using Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher). See images below to help spark your creativity.
2. Brainstorm at least three activities for each facet (activities need to be appropriate for grades 10-12). You may include the activities in the chart/matrix/graphic organizer.
3. Create TWO content area lesson plans that incorporate a total of SIX activities (3 activities per lesson) that represent the six facets of understanding. You'll find lesson plan templates in the Student Success Center or in the General Resources tab > Lesson Plans above.
4. Write a summative assessment for each lesson plan.
**Please compile ALL components in ONE document.
Module 4: Practicum Journal 1
This is the first of four practicum observation journals that you will submit. A few reminders:
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this observation log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 4 dropbox.
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this observation log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 4 dropbox.
Module 5: Practicum Journal 2
This is the second of four practicum observation journals that you will submit. A few reminders:
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 5 dropbox.
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 5 dropbox.
Module 5: CLC: Curricular Decision Making
This assignment has two steps:
1. Research your school district and determine what kinds of criteria are used to make curriculum decisions. Include answers to the following questions and share your findings with your team:
2. Create a 1,200 - 1,500 word essay. Be sure to include the following:
1. Research your school district and determine what kinds of criteria are used to make curriculum decisions. Include answers to the following questions and share your findings with your team:
- Who makes the decision?
- How often is curriculum revised?
- What are the guiding questions?
- How are the assessments devised?
2. Create a 1,200 - 1,500 word essay. Be sure to include the following:
- Summary of each team members local findings.
- Details about how local findings compare to the research of best practice.
- Evaluation of deficiencies in the local districts.
- Recommendations for corrections in the local districts.
Module 6: Practicum Journal 3
This is the third of four practicum observation journals that you will submit. A few reminders:
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 6 dropbox.
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 6 dropbox.
Module 6: Curricular Structures
You will be creating a 15+ slide PowerPoint presentation in which you advocate an alternative curriculum structure (block, year-round, AP, IB, or gender-based). The audience for your presentation is a fictitious parent group; your goal is to convince them that the proposed structure will be the best one for students. Be sure to include the following in your presentation:
- A title slide and a references slide (using APA style). **These two slides do NOT count towards the 15+ slide requirement.
- Speaker Notes (please put them in the slide notes section of each slide; if you are not sure how to use slide notes, please see visit the PowerPoint Tips in the General Resources tab above).
- Supporting evidence of 6 peer-reviewed articles from the GCU Library.
- Identification of the problem/question/issue.
- Acknowledgement of context and assumptions.
- Unique perspective, hypothesis, or position.
- Integration of other perspectives.
- Conclusions, implications, and consequences.
- Please be sure to review the rubric for additional grading notes. An "EXCELLENT" PowerPoint presentation will have at least 15 slides (not including the title and references slides) and use 6 or more peer-reviewed articles from the GCU Library.
Module 7: Practicum Journal 4
This is the fourth of four practicum observation journals that you will submit. A few reminders:
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 6 dropbox.
1. Obtain the Observation Record Log from the "College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs Practicum/Field Experience Manual". For quick reference, you will find a link to the log on page 19 of the following site:
https://www.gcu.edu/Documents/Practicum-Field-Experience-Observation-Activity-Log-8-8.pdf. You will fill out this log and submit it with your Benchmark Assessment.
2. Write a 600-750 word reflection. What observations did you make regarding curriculum trends, issues, implementation, etc.? What recommendations can you provide for improvement in these areas? Please be sure to include the date of observation, school, and teacher observed in your reflection.
3. Submit ONLY the journal reflection to the Module 6 dropbox.
Module 7: Component I: 10-Day UbD Curriculum Unit (Benchmark Assessment)
This is the first component listed in the Benchmark Assignment directions. You need to complete the following in your 10-day UbD curriculum unit:
1. Develop your unit for a group of students in your practicum placement.
2. Align your unit to State Standards.
3. Describe the group of students for which the unit is planned.
4. Include a course statement and a unit statement
5. Incorporate the six facets of understanding as presented in Wiggins’& McTighe’s Understanding by Design.
6. Write lesson plans for each day of the unit (10 days total).
7. Be sure to incorporate the following criteria based on Hunter’s Essential Elements of Instruction lesson plan model: specifies learning objectives, specifies materials and media, includes an anticipatory set, outlines teaching/presentation, offers guided practice, provides closure, and highlights independent practice/formative assessment.
8. Submit this document to your CLC Team by the first day of Module 7.
9. Additionally, submit this document to LoudCloud and Turnitin.
For samples check out the following: Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3.
1. Develop your unit for a group of students in your practicum placement.
2. Align your unit to State Standards.
3. Describe the group of students for which the unit is planned.
4. Include a course statement and a unit statement
5. Incorporate the six facets of understanding as presented in Wiggins’& McTighe’s Understanding by Design.
6. Write lesson plans for each day of the unit (10 days total).
7. Be sure to incorporate the following criteria based on Hunter’s Essential Elements of Instruction lesson plan model: specifies learning objectives, specifies materials and media, includes an anticipatory set, outlines teaching/presentation, offers guided practice, provides closure, and highlights independent practice/formative assessment.
8. Submit this document to your CLC Team by the first day of Module 7.
9. Additionally, submit this document to LoudCloud and Turnitin.
For samples check out the following: Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3.
Module 7: Assessment Design
Create a summative assessment for your 10-day UbD curriculum unit. Be sure to include:
- a variety of question types
- at least 20 items
- an answer key
- four levels of Bloom's Taxonomy (avoid the lower levels, please!) (click here for a handy resource for Bloom's Taxonomy)
- levels 3 and 4 of Webb's Depth of Knowledge (click here for a handy resource for Webb's DOK)
Module 7: CLC: Component II: On Second Thought: Reflection & Peer Review of 10-Day UbD Curriculum Unit (Benchmark Assessment)
This is our second CLC assignment...take advantage of this opportunity to collaborate with your peers! Here are the steps:
- Post a copy of your 10-day UbD curriculum unit in your CLC team space by the first day of Module 7.
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each unit. Remember to look at how well it meets the diverse needs of students, the strategies used to engage and motivate students, the incorporation of Bloom's Taxonomy and Webb's DOK, etc. What works and what needs improvement?
- Provide 3+2 feedback for EACH group member: 3 positive comments AND 2 suggestions for improvement.
- Each member should write a reflection on their own unit, based on the feedback from peers.
- Compile all the feedback and all the reflections into one document.
- Have ONE group member submit this document to the dropbox by the end of Module 7.
Module 8: Benchmark
It's time to complete the third component of the benchmark assignment. You will submit the following to LoudCloud as ONE document (with all items appropriately labeled):
- A title page
- Your ORIGINAL 10-day UbD unit plan
- Your strengths/weaknesses reflection that you provided for your CLC
- Your REVISED 10-day UbD unit plan
- Your Practicum Placement Form
- Your Observation Record Log
- Be sure to incorporate best practices for writing lesson plans: specify learning objectives and standards, specify materials and media, include anticipatory sets, outline teaching/presentation, offer guided practice, provide closure activities, highlight independent practice, and including summative and formative assessments.
- Be sure to incorporate the six facts of understandings throughout your unit plan. As a reminder, please be sure to review the rubric before submitting your benchmark in order to ensure you have hit all the marks.
- Per GCU policy, all lesson plans are to be submitted to Turnitin; please be sure to review your TII score BEFORE submitting your final benchmark. These lesson plans should be your own original work; while it’s perfectly acceptable to use a few strategies or ideas from a website, please cite that source and include it on a references page. Please ensure those TII scores are kept low (as a note, you will see some high scores due to the matching UbD template or standards, which is acceptable).