Course Syllabus

Apprenticeship in College Teaching Program (EDHD 718)
Course Syllabus-Spring 2008

Course Description

For graduate students teaching autonomously for the first, second or third time at the University of Maryland, College Park; not intended for teaching assistants. This course provides graduate student teachers with a set of structured experiences that foster professional growth and development in the role of college instructor. This course includes seminars on the scholarship of college teaching and principles of optimal college classroom environments, peer and faculty in-class observations of teaching, and guided reflective analysis of experience in the classroom.

**This course is required for all EDHD Graduate Students during their first two semesters of teaching for the department.

Course Objectives

To foster growth in the construction, delivery and evaluation of course content, utilizing educational principles related to sound college teaching.
To facilitate exploration and increased awareness of personal strengths and challenges in the role of college instructor.
To promote access to and the completion of the University-wide Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Program (UTLP) that provides support, documentation, and rewards for teaching excellence.
To provide mentoring and professional support to graduate teaching assistants.

Readings and Materials

Additional Reading as assigned by the EDHD 718 Supervisor, or GA presenters.

Requirements

Graduate School and CTE Orientation - The Center for Teaching Excellence holds an orientation for new TA's every semester. In the fall, it is typically one week prior to the beginning of the semester and in the spring it is typically in January (see Calendar for this year's dates). The orientation is all day and includes such things as an experienced TA panel, smaller workshops on particular topics such as technology, and a University resources panel. Additionally, if you attend this orientation you receive the Graduate Teaching Assistant Resource Guide which contains valuable information. All new graduate teaching instructors are expected to attend the orientation.
Seminars - This course meets once a month and students are expected to be present at all seminar meetings.
Mid-semester Evaluations - All 718 students are required to administer mid-semester evaluations to their students and then schedule a meeting with the faculty course instructor to discuss the feedback from their students. Teachers can decide the format of the evaluation, but samples from past semesters can be provided.
Observations: Three observational experiences are expected to occur throughout the semester:
1. By Faculty Member/Mentor: All EDHD 718 students must be observed by a faculty member or other professional in the department. Following the observation, a meeting should be held with the student and faculty observer to discuss the class experience.
2. By Peer: All EDHD 718 students must be observed by a fellow graduate teaching assistant who is currently or was previously enrolled in the 718 course. Following the observation a meeting should be held to discuss the observation.
3. Of Faculty Member/Mentor or Peer: All EDHD 718 students are expected to observe an undergraduate course being taught within the College of Education. If you choose to observe a peer, it should be by a fellow graduate teaching assistant who is not currently enrolled in the 718 course. Following the observation you are expected to write a reflection of the observation from the perspective of how what you observed can influence your own teaching.
Reflection papers: Following each observation a brief (2-3 pages) reflection of the experience must be completed. These papers will be read by the EDHD 718 Faculty supervisor and the EDHD 718 Graduate Student Coordinator.
1. During the first semester of EDHD 718, these papers will consist of a one page summary of the observation followed by a one-two page reflection on two of the observational points which can lead to further growth in personal teaching style. For all of these observations the observer should use the "Peer Feedback Grid," which includes space for both positive feedback and constructive criticism. Please email the Graduate Student Coordinator for a copy of the grid.
2. In the second semester of EDHD 718, these papers should focus on one of the personal growth areas identified in semester one.
  - When being observed, Graduate Assistants should ask their observer to look for indicators of the "targeted" area and ask for feedback about this particular topic. Accordingly, observer feedback should focus on that "growth point," but not to the exclusion of other valuable comments that the observer would like to make. Papers should focus on changes, improvements, or remaining challenges that are now associated with the targeted area, but may also include reflection on additional important feedback from the observer.
  - When observing, Graduate Assistants should focus on indicators of the specific area the teacher has identified as a point of growth. The paper should include reflections on how observing another teacher's style can contribute to thinking about one's own practice.

***When teaching during the second semester, one of the observations (by a peer or by a faculty mentor) must be video-taped. All video-taping equipment is available from the Ed Tech Center in the basement of the Benjamin Building. Students must provide their own video-tape. After the observation and video-taping occurs, students should meet with faculty course instructor to watch and discuss the video.

Grading

Letter grades for the course will be assigned at the discretion of the EDHD 718 faculty supervisor, based upon the following rubric.

Participation in CTE orientation and monthly seminars 25 points
Completion of observations and reflection papers 75 points

A+ = 96-100
A =93-95
A-= 90-92
B+= 86-89
B = 83-85
B-= 80-82
C+= 76-79
C = 73-75
C-=70-72
D+=66-69
D = 63-65
D-= 60-62
F = <60

University Teaching and Learning Program (UTLP): The EDHD department and the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) have reached an agreement that allows EDHD GAs to apply many of the EDHD 718 requirements mentioned above toward the UTLP certificate. In addition to the EDHD 718 requirements, EDHD GA’s must also complete 4 reflective essays (essay on teaching philosophy, essay on a particular assignment, essay on course evaluations, essay on syllabus). Each GA must attend a total of 10 workshops/seminars (8 of these workshops may be EDHD 718 workshops, 2 must be conducted by CTE). All Gas must have taken a course on theory (EDHD 692, 721,722, or 835). Also, each GA must complete a total of 6 observations: 3 by a peer/mentor (1 with videotape), 3 of a peer/mentor. Lastly, each GA must complete and present a larger academic project, to be determined by the GA and the EDHD 718 faculty supervisor.