Course Outline for Early Childhood Development 11
Exploring Education

Effective: Fall 2023
SLO Rev: 12/09/2016
Catalog Description:

ECD 11 - Exploring Education

3.00 Units

This course introduces students to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in today's contemporary schools, Pre-K, T-K, Kindergarten through the 12th grade. Topics include teaching as a profession and career, historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, contemporary education issues, California's content standards and frameworks, and teacher performance standards. In addition to class time, the course requires a minimum of 45 hours of structured fieldwork in public school elementary classrooms that represent California's diverse student population, and includes cooperation with at least one carefully selected and campus-approved certificated classroom teacher.
NONE: .
0801.00 - Education, General
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 54.00 0.00 54.00
Total 3.00 90.00 72.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. describe the challenges and rewards facing teachers in contemporary public school classrooms;
  2. identify the relationships and multiple roles and functions of teachers and other school personnel who work in a diverse public school environment;
  3. identify personal meanings related to teaching, reflecting upon why they want to become a teacher, examining personal characteristics, assumptions and beliefs, subject matter knowledge, experiences and goals which could affect their development as a teacher;
  4. describe current theories in teaching key disciplines ie. Math, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences;
  5. demonstrate knowledge of California Academic Content and Performance Standards;
  6. describe teaching methodologies including inquiry-based approach, information-based approach, use of technology and early intervention;
  7. articulate basic purposes of schooling and trace the history of their development;
  8. demonstrate an understanding of educational issues in a global context;
  9. demonstrate knowledge of the impact of cultural contexts on learning;
  10. demonstrate skill in implementing established protocols for visiting schools and classrooms;
  11. demonstrate skills in implementing observation protocols;
  12. demonstrate knowledge of professional standards, ethics and professionalism in classroom and school visits;
  13. relate course content to public school classrooms through satisfactory completion of a minimum of 45 hours of approved fieldwork including structured assignments, observations, and reflections that demonstrate the observer's ability to:

    a. Recognize and describe examples of teaching events
    that implement some elements of the CSTP and TPEs;
    b. Observe the use of state adopted academic content and
    performance standards;
    c. Compare and contrast classroom environments;
    d. Recognize and describe individual differences among
    students and identify strategies and accommodations used to address these differences.
Course Content:

Lecture

  1. Teacher education programs
  2. The teaching profession
    1. examination of one's beliefs and assumptions about and experiences with teacher and teaching
    2. professional standards, ethics, and professionalism
    3. roles and functions of teachers and other school presonnel both in general and special education
    4. overview of California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) and Teaching Performance Expectations (TPE)
    5.  introdution to California Academic Content and Performance Standards
    6. Introduction to the California Preschool Learning Foundations
    7. career and job options
  3. Contemporary U.S. public education, Pre-K-12:
    1. overview of contemporary issues in schools: e.g., standards, inclusion, high stakes testing, bilingual education social issues, standardized curriculum; standards and frameworks
    2. school environment
    3. diversity in the classroom
    4. social problems affecting children and public school systems
    5. tension points in American education
  4. Effective teaching and classroom deportment:
    1. curriculum pedagogy in key disciplines, including Math, Science, Humanities, and Social Sciences
    2. technology and its impact on schools
    3. creativity as a teaching tool 
    4. basic strategies for accommodating diverse student needs
    5. introduction to K-5 California Standards and Frameworks
    6. introduction to Preschool Learning Foundations
    7. elements of effective classroom environments consistent with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) and state adopted Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) 
    8. protocols for visiting schools and entering classrooms
    9. Methods and ethics of conducting and reporting classroom observations
  5. Historical and current issues in U.S. education, Pre-K and K-12:
    1. overview of philosophies of education
    2. overview of history of American education
    3. ethical issues facing teachers
    4. education reform
    5. governance and financing of school
    6. Equity, anti-bias and anti-racism in education


Course Content (Laboratory):

  1.  45 hours of approved fieldwork in a public school including: observations and participation, structured assignments and reflections.
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Classroom observations
  2. Group work
  3. Lecture/Discussion
  4. Portfolio Development
  5. Written assignments
  6. Field Experience
  7. Distance Education
  8. Speakers
  9. Student presentations
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Summarize and respond to readings on grade level standards.
  2. Create and implement evaluation rubrics as part of field experience summary.
  3. Write academic essays focused on teaching methodologies such as inquiry based approach.
  4. Write self-reflection essay (of at least 500 words) describing impact of field experience on career path.
  5. Identify requirements for obtaining credential.
  6. Respond to weekly discussion board threads on selected topics in education.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Portfolios
  3. Final Examination
  4. Journals
  5. Group Projects
  6. Written assignments
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. describe individual differences among students and identify strategies used to address these differences.
  2. examine personal characteristics and reflect upon why they want to become a teacher.
  3. identify and describe teaching methodologies observed during their field experience.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Ryan, Kevin and James Cooper (2022). Those Who Can, Teach, (15). Houghton Mifflin Pub., .
  2. Sadker, David and Karen Zittleman (2022). Teachers, Schools, and Society: A Brief Introduction to Education (6). McGraw-Hill.
  • N/A
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
In this course you will get an introduction to the field of K-12 teaching and education. We will be looking at changing issues in education and their implications for teaching practice and theory. In addition to class time, the course requires a minimum of 45 hours of structured fieldwork in public school elementary classrooms.
NONE: .
Discipline:
Child Development/Early Childhood Education*, and Education*, and