Home Courses Handouts Vision Vita e-mail me
    SPC ED 303: Materials and Methods - Dual License
    click here to return to the course home page

    Syllabus
    Spring, 2002, Tuesdays, 4:20-6:50 p.m. (3 credit hours), Mitchell Hall 219
    .
    Instructor: Julia Scherba de Valenzuela, Ph.D.
    Office: Education Office Building, rm. 206
    E-mail: devalenz@unm.edu
    Phone: 277-1406
    Fax: 277-7228
    Web site: http://www.unm.edu/~devalenz/
    Office Hours: Mondays 4:00-6:30 on a drop-in basis (no appointment needed)
                           Thursdays 4:00-6:30 by appointment only
    .
    The following information is included in this syllabus:

    • Course Overview
    • Readings
    • Course Design
    • Class Schedule
    • Mission Statements
     Return to top
    Course Overview
    Course Description:
    This course is designed “ to provide the undergraduate special education student with specific strategies and a knowledge of materials which are important in meeting the needs of students with mild disabilities in a variety of classroom settings” (UNM Catalog, 2001-2003, p. 332).
    .
    Rationale:
    The mission of the College of Education is to advance the quality of the educational experience for all learners and to educate professionals who can facilitate human growth in schools, homes, communities, and workplaces. In carrying out this mission, the College explicitly values diversity in people and perspectives. This course supports the College of Education framework by addressing student abilities within the context of a diverse society, recognizing the need to support all individuals in life-long learning, and validating all individuals, including those with disabilities, as valuable members of their communities, including their communities of learners.
    .
    Course Objectives:
    The objectives of this course are to facilitate student understanding of:
    .
    • different models of learning and instruction;
    • specific instructional strategies, with a particular emphasis on generalization of skills and knowledge;
    • the relationship between assessment and instruction;
    • fundamentals of lesson planning;
    • resources for materials development; and
    • the use of technology in the instruction of students with special needs.
    .
     Return to top
    Readings
    Required Books:
    (bundled packet on sale, with access to the ASCD website, at the UNM bookstore)
    .
    Brooks, J. G., & Brooks, M. G. (1999). In search for understanding: The case for constructivist classrooms. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
    .
    Burke, K. (1999). How to assess authentic learning. Arlington Heights, Ill.: Merrill.
    .
    Pierangelo, R., & Crane, R. (2000). The special education yellow pages. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
    .
    Required Readings:
    (reading packet on sale at the COE Publications Center)
    .
    Armstrong, T. (2000). Multiple intelligences in the classroom (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
    .
    Baloche, L. A. (1998). The cooperative classroom: Empowering learning. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
    .
    Hudson, P. (1997). Learning and study strategies. In M. Agran (Ed.), Student directed learning: Teaching self-determination skills. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
    .
    Janney, R., & Snell, M. (2000). Modifying schoolwork. Baltimore, MD: Paul. H. Brookes.
    .
    Vermette, P. J. (1998). Making cooperative learning work: Student teams in K-12 classrooms. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
    .
    .Return to top
    Course Design
    Class Structure:
    This course is designed so that students will interact actively with the course material -- whole group discussion and small group activities, rather than instructor lecture, will make up the bulk of in-class sessions. Therefore, it is imperative that students arrive at each class having thoroughly read all of the assigned readings. Active construction of student knowledge is fundamental to this course, therefore, many instructional strategies will be presented in this course via modeling, rather than through lecture or direct instruction. These instructional strategies will include:
     
    cooperative learning
    activity-based instruction
    scaffolding
    use of multiple intelligences
    Bloom’s taxonomy
    quick writes
    K-W-L
    jigsaw
    each-one-teach-one
    graphic organizers
    slot notes
    universal design
    integration of technology
    explicit behavioral expectations
    consistent opportunities for student feedback
    student-directed learning
    self-assessment and student participation in assessment development
    explicit grading criteria
    performance-based assessment
    .
    Students who require special accommodations or instructional modifications need to notify the instructor by the beginning of the semester, or as soon as difficulties become apparent, with appropriate documentation from the Student Support Services Center (277-3506), Mesa Vista Hall, Room 2021.
    .
    Specific Course Requirements:
     
    Assignments: 
    1) UNM e-mail address
    2) classroom-based assessment instrument
    3) materials hunt
    4) intervention strategy description
    5) lesson plan
    6) web-based portfolio
     Points Possible:
    4 points 
    15 points 
    15 points
    15 points
    25 points
    25 points
    .
    Descriptions of and criteria for grading each assignment will be handed out in class. Extra copies can be obtained at the instructor's web site -- http://www.unm.edu/~devalenz/ All written assignments must be typed, in a 12 pt serif font (such as Times New Roman), with a 1” margin all around. They generally should be double-spaced.
    .
    The total points possible for all of the above assignments add up to 99 points. The final point will be added to the student's grade at the instructor's discretion for any assignment that goes significantly above and beyond the work of other students. This allows the instructor to assign a grade of 'A+' only in the case of the student fulfilling the stated requirements for all assignments, attending all class sessions (or making up those missed) AND performing clearly superior work on at least one assignment.
    .
    Evaluation Procedures and Grading System:
    Final grades will be determined by a point system (X out of 100 total possible points). Fractionated grading will be used, with the following breakdown:
     
    A+ = 100 B+ = 88-89 C+ = 78-79 D+ = 68-69 F = below 60
    A = 94-99 B = 84-87  C = 74-77 D = 64-67
    A- = 90-93 B- = 80-83 C- = 70-73 D- = 60-63
    .
    Incompletes and withdraws at the end of the semester will be allowed only in accordance with UNM policies. Please see the UNM catalog for a description of these policies.
    .
    Policies:
    1.) Late Papers: Late assignments will receive a one (1) point deduction for every day late, with a limit of seven days allowed. If assignments are not turned in within 1 week of the assigned date, they will not be accepted, except in the case of significant illness (doctor's note required) or family emergency. If you will be not be able to be in class, please arrange for a friend to turn in your assignment during class, have the assignment faxed to the special education office by the time/date due, or have it handed in in person to either Terri or Jo in the Special Education office (Hokona Hall 273) prior to 5 p.m. on the date due. If your assignment will be turned in at the Special Education office, please make sure that the time and date it is received are documented by the staff. Do NOT put late assignments under my office door, unless you want them accepted as turned in on the day I find them, which may or may not be the same day as you turned them in. Since I am not at the university every day, this could cost you points.
    .
    2.) Re-Writes: In order to be fair to all students, re-writes will not be allowed, except under extraordinary circumstances, beyond the student's control. However, students are STRONGLY encouraged to talk with, e-mail questions to, and/or submit drafts to the instructor at least 1-2 weeks ahead of time, so that revisions can be made, if necessary, by the assigned due date.
    .
    3.) Class Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory - Students who miss more than 3 class sessions will be dropped from the course, regardless of the reason.  Missed class sessions can be made up with the following, turned in no later than 3 weeks after the missed class:
    • a photocopy of a colleague's notes from the missed class,
    • a typed summary of all assigned readings for the class missed, including a response to all reading questions, and
    • a typed response to the assigned quick write (available on the instructor's web site, under 'class outlines').
    .
    Five points will be deducted for every absence that is not made up. No excuse or documentation is necessary for missed classes.
    .
    Late arrivals to class interrupt the learning of all students. Therefore, a point will be deducted for arriving more than 15 minutes late to class. Arriving more than 45 minutes late will be considered a class absence and will need to be made up, as indicated above.
    .
    4.) Class Participation: Class participation that is conducive to the learning of all course participants is expected. Behaviors that are considered to be conducive to learning (of the student him/herself and others) include:
    .
    • arriving to class on time and well-prepared,
    • paying attention to instructor and/or other students when they are speaking,
    • turning off the ringer of your cellular phone and not taking calls within the classroom (please step out in the hall to speak if you must answer an emergency call),
    • use of appropriate and non-offensive language during class and in written class assignments,
    • demonstrating cooperation with and respect for the instructor and peers during class discussions,
    • actively participating, on-topic, during small group activities, and
    • showing consideration for other students' need for alternative teaching strategies.
    .
    I expect students to demonstrate consistently positive class participation. Frequent and/or significant failure to fulfill these expectations will result in the student being dropped from the course. The following four areas are defined below:
      .
    • Respect for self and others
    • Positive contribution to the group
    • Listening
    • Openness
    .
    Respect for self, colleagues and instructor is shown by: 1) following group norms during discussions, 2) consistent use of oral and body language that is professional, and 3) frequent reference to classmate's opinions and perspectives in class discussion in a positive and supportive manner.
    .
    Positive contribution to the group is demonstrated when: 1) the quantity of contributions is neither significantly more or less than that of other students, 2) the student is not usually the first one to talk after a prolonged silence, 3) contributions are almost always on topic, and 4) comments frequently engage other participants or support the engagement of other students in a consistently positive manner.
    .
    Listening is demonstrated by: 1) providing previously provided information to colleagues when asked, 2) not redundantly repeating what was already stated, 3) consistently following directions, and 4) incorporating others' responses and comments in contributions to class discussions.
    .
    Openness is shown by: 1) consistent recognition and consideration of alternative perspectives, 2) consistent reaction to alternative ideas in a thoughtful manner, and 3) a positive response to criticism.
     
     Return to top
    Class Schedule
    .
    January 15, 2002 (#1)
    Topic: constructivism
    Read: no reading due on the 1st class
    .
    January 22, 2002 (#2)
    Topic: cooperative learning and Bloom’s taxonomy
    Read:  Vermette (in packet) AND Baloche (in packet)
    .
    January 29, 2002 (#3)
    Topic: the reflective teaching cycle (integrating assessment and instruction)
    Read:  Brooks & Brooks, chapters 1, 2, and 3
    .
    February 5, 2002 (#4)
    Topic: assessment overview and portfolios
    Read:  Burke, chapters 4, 5, and 6
    Due:   UNM e-mail address
    .
    February 12, 2002 (#5)
    Topic: web-based portfolios
    Meet at TEC, room 200
    .
    February 19, 2002 (#6)
    GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Susan Copeland
    Topic: instructional strategies
    Read: Janey & Snell (in packet) AND Hudson (in packet)
    Due:  lesson plan subject and topic (i.e. science/toads and frogs)
    .
    February 26, 2002 (#7)
    Topic: web-based portfolios
    Due:  classroom-based assessment instrument
    Meet at TEC, room 200
    **mid-semester class evaluation (how is it going so far?)
    .
    March 5, 2002 (#8)
    Topic: lesson planning
    Read:  Burke, chapters 7, 8, and 10
    .
    March 12, 2002 (#9)
    No Class -- UNM Spring Break
    .
    March 19, 2002 (#10)
    Topic: multiple intelligences
    Read: Burke, chapter 3 AND Armstrong (in packet)
    .
    March 26, 2002 (#11)
    Topic: web-based portfolios
    Due: materials hunt
    Meet at TEC, room 200
    .
    April 2, 2002 (#12)
    Topic: writing objectives and aligning content with standards
    Read:  Burke, chapter 1
    .
    April 9, 2002 (#13)
    Topic: web-based portfolios
    Meet at TEC, room 200
    .
    April 16, 2002 (#14)
    Topic: intervention strategies presentations
    Read: none assigned for this week
    Due: intervention strategy descriptions
    .
    April 23, 2002 (#15)
    Topic: web-based portfolios
    Due: lesson plan
    Meet at TEC, room 200
    .
    April 30, 2002 (#16)
    Topic: choosing strategies strategically
    Read:  Brooks & Brooks, chapter 10

    May 7, 2002 -- Finals week
    Topic: Portfolio Celebration
    Due:  final portfolio
    Meet at TEC, room 200
     
     Return to top
    Mission Statements

    Instructor's vision and mission statement:
    Vision: A classroom climate that fosters thoughtful and respectful consideration of alternative viewpoints and ideas, personal ownership of learning, and individual construction of personally meaningful knowledge.

    Mission: To facilitate the collaborative construction of the above learning environment via attention to the following:

    • whole and small group dynamics;
    • increased literacy in academic discourse (comprehension and production, oral and written); and
    • opportunities for active engagement with course content and materials.


    The College of Education Mission Statement:
    The vision of the College of Education: Excellence and diversity through people, ideas, and innovation.

    Our mission is the study and practice of education through teaching, research, and service. We

    • address critical education issues;
    • test new ideas and approaches to teaching and learning;
    • educate professionals who can facilitate human growth and development in schools, homes, communities, and workplaces, and
    • prepare students for participation in a complex and challenging society.


    In carrying out our mission we value

    • excellence in all that we do;
    • diversity of people and perspectives;
    • relationships of service, accountability, collaboration, and advocacy;
    • the discovery, discussion, and dissemination of ideas, and innovation in teaching, technology, and leadership


    College of Education's Conceptual Framework:
    Professional Understandings, Practices, and Identities

    The College of Education at the University of New Mexico believes that professional education should seek to help individuals develop professional understandings, practices, and identities. These understandings, practices and identities frame the life-long learning of professional educators and reflect the values articulated in our Mission Statement and in state and national standards and competencies.

    Understandings frame the identity and practice of educational professional. We seek to help you better understand:
     

    • Human Growth and Development


    Patterns in how individuals develop physically, emotionally, and intellectually. How to provide conditions that promote the growth and learning of individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including those with special learning needs.
     

    • Culture and Language


    The nature of home, school, community, workplace, state, national, and global contexts for learning. How social groups develop and function and the dynamics of power within and among them. How language and other forms of expression reflect cultural assumptions yet can be used to evoke social change. How one's own background and development shape understanding and interaction.
     

    • Content of the Disciplines


    The substance of the disciplines you teach -- the central organizing concepts and factual information -- and the ways in which new information is created, including the forms of creative investigation that characterize the work of scholars and artists.
     

    • Pedagogy


    Theory and research on effective educational practice. How to create contexts for learning in and across the disciplines. How to assess student learning and design, plan, and implement instruction to meet the needs of learners. How to evaluate educational practice.
     

    • Technology


    Effects of media and technology on knowledge, communication, and society. How to critically analyze and raise awareness of the impact of media and technology. How to use current technology.
     

    • Professional Issues


    The social and political influences on education, both historically and currently. Local, state, and national policies, including requirements and standards. How to critically analyze and participate in the formation of educational policy. Strategies for leadership, collaboration, and research.
     

    • Nature of Knowledge


    How knowledge is constructed within social contexts, including the academic disciplines. The differences and connections among the knowledge constructed in different social contexts. How to conduct inquiry into the nature of knowledge within and across the disciplines.
    These understandings enable you, as a professional, to value and engage in practices that embody the following qualities:
     

    • Learner-Centered


    Students' past experiences, cultural backgrounds, interests, capabilities, and understandings are accommodated in learning experiences. Routines promote learner risk-taking and allow learners to take increasing control of their own learning and functioning.
     

    • Contextual


    Experiences engage learners in ways of thinking, doing, talking, writing, reading, etc., that are indicative of the discipline(s) and/or authentic social contexts. Ideas and practices are presented with the richness of their contextual cues and information. Learners are provided with models and opportunities to reflect on their experiences and to relate their learning to other social contexts.
     

    • Coherent


    Learning experiences are organized around the development of concepts and strategies that learners need in order to participate in other similar situations. Learners are assessed on what they had the opportunity to learn.
     

    • Culturally Responsive


    Diversity is valued, and learners are helped to become aware of the impact of culture on how they and others perceive the world.
     

    • Technologically Current


    Available technology facilitates learning. Learners are helped to understand the effect of media on their perceptions and communication.
     

    Developing a professional identity is central to lifelong growth as a professional educator. The University of New Mexico College of Education will help you to develop the following attributes of a professional:
     

    • Caring


    Attentive to learners, willingness to listen and withhold judgment, and ability to empathize while maintaining high expectations for learner success.
     

    • Advocacy


    Committed to ensuring equitable treatment and nurturing environments for all learners.
     

    • Inquisitiveness


    Habitual inquiry into the many, ever-changing ways in which knowledge is constructed, how people learn, and how educators can support learning.
     

    • Reflection-in-Action


    Able to analyze, assess and revise practice in light of student learning, research and theory, and collegial feedback.
     

    • Communication


    Skilled in speaking, writing, and using other modes of expression.
     

    • Collaboration


    Able to work cooperatively with students, parents, community members, and colleagues.
     

    • Ethical Behavior


    Aware of and able to work within the ethical codes of the profession.
     
     Return to top

    Page last updated: Janaury 2, 2002