Syllabus: ECE 401 History and Foundations of Early Childhood Education Fall 2013 Instructor: Dr. J. Michelle Huffman Office: 434-8357 Cell phone: 903-285-5196 j h u f f m a n @ t a m u t. e d u Course Description: This course is a study of the history of early childhood educational movements; and the impact of past and present educational philosophies on the development of today's early childhood educational programs and curriculum. Semester Credit Hours: 3 hours Prerequisites: ED 311, PYSC 2308, PSYC 2314, and ED 321 or may be taken concurrently. Text: Early Childhood Education Today. (ISBN 9780135010525) by George S. Morrison, 12th Edition, Pearson-Prentice-Hall, 2009. Accomplishing the course objectives will prepare the students, as active adult learners, to understand, apply, and integrate the concepts of Early Childhood Education. Course Objectives: 1- To understand the role of the professional educator in the area of early childhood education. 2- To become familiar with the issues and public policies that effects the field of early childhood education today. 3- To be knowledgeable of the history and major learning theories that influence early childhood education in the U.S. 4- To exhibit knowledge of the major theories of classroom management and implementation. 5- To be knowledgeable of programs and services available for children with special needs, multicultural backgrounds, and/or economically disadvantaged and their families. 6- To apply instructional methods and assessments effective with young learners. Course Outline: Childhood Education and Professional Development Foundations: History and Theories 1
Programs and Services for Children and Families Teaching Today's Young Children: Linking Development, Learning, and Assessment Meeting the Special Needs of Children and Their Families Course Requirements Include: Technology Integration Presentations Preschool Field Work Learning Center Exhibit Early Childhood Dictionary Chapter Quizzes Final Exam 100 points (25 each) 100 points (25 each) 100 points (group assignment) 50 points 50 points (10 each) 100 points Grading Scale: 500 Possible Points 450-500 = A 400-450 = B 350-400 = C 300-350 = D Student Participation a. Participation Policy: Students are expected to attend all face-to-face or virtual classes, to be on time, and attend for the full class. THERE ARE NO EXCUSED ABSENCES nor does the professor give permission to miss class. Missing more than three face-to-face or virtual classes will result in the student being dropped from the class or final grade will be dropped one full letter. If a student chooses to miss a class the student is responsible for o course announcements o covering the material addressed in class independently o obtaining notes from a peer b. Course Etiquette: 1. Appropriate attendance and promptness 2. Positive, open attitude towards learning 3. Appropriate collaboration skills with peers 4. Appropriate grammar, articulation and speech patterns 5. No cell phones or beepers in class! 6. Conduct yourself in a manner that is not distracting to your peers. 7. Be respectful of other students and the professor. 8. Recognize that arriving late or leaving class early is a distraction to your peers! 9. Students are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the A&M-Texarkana Code of Conduct. 2
University Policies I. Disability Accommodations: Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the A&M-Texarkana Disability Services Office by calling 903-223-3062. II. III. IV. Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and undocumented use of materials from any source constitute academic dishonesty and may be grounds for a grade of F in the course and/or disciplinary actions. For additional information, see the university catalog. A&M-Texarkana Email Address: Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an individual will be assigned an A&M-Texarkana email account. This email account will be used to deliver official university correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent and received via the university email account and is expected to check the official A&M-Texarkana email account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are required to utilize the university email account when communicating about coursework. Drop Policy: Effective Fall 2013, students who no longer wish to attend their course(s) will be required to submit the necessary paperwork to the Registrar s Office in order to be officially dropped/withdrawn from their course(s). Those student who do not follow the correct drop/withdraw procedure will remain registered in their course(s) and receive the grade issued by the instructor. Students may find the drop/withdraw form on the Dropping/Withdraw a Class page of the Registrar website. Drop/Withdraw deadlines for the Fall 2013 Semester Session Drop without a grade Last day drop/withdraw Fall 2013 Wednesday, Sept. 11 Monday, Nov. 25 V. Class Participation: Students are responsible for beginning their participation on the FIRST CLASS DAY by logging on and completing assignments according to the COURSE CALENDAR. Failure to submit online assignments between the first day of classes and the University census date (according to the University schedule) will result in an ADMINISTRATIVE DROP from the course. VI. Student Technical Assistance: Solutions to common problems and FAQ s for your web-enhanced and web courses are found at this link: http://www.tamut.edu/training/student%20training/index.html If you cannot find your resolution there, you can send in a support request detailing your specific problem here: http://www.tamut.edu/techde/support.htm Blackboard Helpdesk contacts (office hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:00a to 5:00p) Julia Allen (main contact) 903-223-3154 julia.allen@tamut.edu Nikki Thomson (alternate) 903-223-3083 nikki.thomson@tamut.edu Jayson Ferguson (alternate) 903-223-3105 jayson.ferguson@tamut.edu 3
VII. Technical Requirements: Minimum Windows PC Requirements: Pentium IV 1.5GHz+ (preferred: Core Duo) 1 GB RAM minimum (preferred: 2 GB) 128MB Video Card minimum - Sound Card is required for some courses 56K modem minimum (Cable or DSL required for some courses) Windows 2000, XP, Vista or 7 Web browser (Internet Explorer 7.0+; Firefox 3.0+) Microsoft Word, minimum Office 97 Some courses will need plug-ins such as Flash player 10 +, QuickTime player 7.0+, Adobe Reader 9.0+, Java Runtime Environment (Java 1.6.0_15), Windows Media Player 10+, RealPlayer, and Macromedia/Adobe Shockwave. Some online courses may also require a CD ROM (8x minimum, higher recommended) Blackboard has certified the following browsers for computers running Windows Operating Systems: Internet Explorer 8 or 9 (IE is not supported on Windows XP) Mozilla Firefox 3.6+ Google Chrome Minimum Apple Macintosh Requirements: Intel Core 2.0GHz+ 1 GB RAM (preferred: 2 GB) 128MB Video Card minimum - Sound Card is required for some courses 56K modem minimum (Cable or DSL required for some courses) Web browser (Firefox 3.0+ ; Safari 3.0+) Microsoft Word, minimum Office 97 Some courses will need plug-ins such as Flash player 10+, QuickTime player 7.0+, Adobe Reader 9.0+, Java Runtime Environment, RealPlayer, and Macromedia/Adobe Shockwave. Some online courses may also require a CD ROM (8x minimum, higher recommended) Blackboard has certified the following browsers for computers running Macintosh Operating Systems: Mac OS 10.2 (Jaguar): (Safari 1 is compatible) Mac OS 10.3 (Panther): Safari 1.2 (Firefox 1.5 is compatible) Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger): Safari 2 and Firefox 1.5 Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard): (Firefox 2.0 is compatible) I-OS and Android Devices These devices are currently supported using the Blackboard Mobile App, available for free from your App Store or scan the code below: 4
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Spring 2013 Tentative Course Schedule ECE 401 Date Topic Assignments Due August 28 Developmentally Appropriate Practice Read Chapter 1 You & Early Childhood Education September 4 Observation & Assessment Read Chapter 3 Observation and Assessment For Learning September 11 Observation & Assessment / Infants & Toddlers Read Chapter 9 Field Work #1 Introduction, Program Description & Pictures September 18 Read Chapter 5 & 6 Theories and ECH Programs September 25 Theory to Practice Technology Integration # 1 Presentations on Theory / Practice (individually assigned) October 2 Field Work # 2 Assessing the Environment (pages 86-87) October 9 October 16 October 23 Preschool Learning Centers Meeting the Needs of Children & Families Kindergarten / Primary Read Chapter 10 Field Work # 3 Adult / Child Interactions Technology Integration # 2 Chapter 7 Child Care Read Chapters 11 & 12 Kindergarten & Primary Grades October 30 Multiculturalism Technology Integration # 4 Chapter 16 Children with Diverse Needs November 6 Guiding Young Children Read Chapter 14 Guiding Children November 13 Field Work # 4 Family Involvement November 20 Learning Center Exhibit November 27 Family Involvement Technology Integration # 4 Chapter 17 Parent, Family & Community Partnerships December 4 Final Exam ECH Dictionaries 6
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