BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
City University of New York
Teacher Education Department
Title of Course: Observing Children's Development
EDU 201
Class hours: 3
Lab hours: 1
Semester: Fall 2012
Instructor Information:
Name: Rebecca Garte
Office hours: TBD
Phone: 212-220-8000X7400
Email: rgarte@bmcc.cuny.edu
Credits: 4
Course Description: This course focuses on children’s physical, cognitive, linguistic and socio-
emotional development, and the related implications for learning. Within the context of race,
class and culture, the following topics are explored in depth: the nature of intelligence, gender
identity, attachment and other psychosocial attributes (typical and atypical). Students participate
in a minimum of 15 hours of course-related fieldwork.
This is a Writing Intensive course that fulfills the WI requirement for graduation. Writing
intensive courses pay special attention to developing critical reading, writing, and analytic skills
to prepare students for the CPE and college-level coursework in general. Both informal and
formal writing will be designed to maximize your understanding of the subject matter. Formal
writing assignments, at least 10-12 pages total, account for the largest portion of your grade and
will include opportunities for revision.
Prerequisites: ENG 095 or ESL 095, RDG 075, and PSY 100
Student Learning Outcomes:
EDU 201 students will be able to:
1. Synthesize knowledge of development across all
domains (e.g., physical, cognitive, social, emotional)
2. Analyze the role of family, community, and school as
well as the impact of larger social contexts of
development (i.e., race, class, and culture) on learning
3. Analyze the effect of biological and environmental
influences on development and learning
4. Evaluate children’s behavior in various settings
5. Apply various observation and recording techniques in
educational settings
BMCC General Education Goals:
Measurements (means of assessment for
student learning outcomes listed in first
column)
Case Study Paper
Journal assignments, online learning units
Journal assignments, online learning units
Case study Paper
Case Study Paper
Measurements (means of assessment for
1
(Checked goals indicate college-wide goals that will
be covered and assessed in EDU 201.)
1. Communication Skills- Students will write, read,
listen and speak critically and effectively.
2. Quantitative Reasoning- Students will use
quantitative skills and the concepts and methods of
mathematics to solve problems.
3. Scientific Reasoning- Students will understand and
apply the concepts and methods of the natural
sciences.
4. Social and Behavioral Sciences- Students will
understand and apply the concepts and methods of the
social sciences.
5. Arts & Humanities- Students will develop
knowledge and understanding of the arts and
literature.
6. Information & Technology Literacy- Students
will collect, evaluate and interpret information and
effectively use information technologies.
7. Values- Students will make informed choices based
on an understanding of personal values, human
diversity, multicultural awareness and social
responsibility.
general education goals listed in first column)
All assignments, in class writing and group
work
Case study paper, online learning units
Online learning units
Journal assignments
Required Text & Readings: McDevitt, T. & Ormrod, J. (2010). Childhood Development and
Education (4th Edition). United States: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 978-0137133833
Use of Technology:


You will be required to have a blackboard account and to check blackboard regularly
during the semester
Please go to http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/portal/index.html to get a blackboard user name
and password. You should do this no later than the first week of class
Evaluation & Coursework Requirements of Students:
Total points: 100
Assignment I: Case study paper: 35 points total, 7 points for each observation and analysis, and
summary/recommendations
Assignment II: Journals: 30 points, 5 points each
Online Learning Units: 35 points, 5 points each
Case study
You will do a case study report on One child at your site. You will record their behavior as you
observe for each developmental area we study throughout the semester. Each observation will be
followed by an analysis in which you explain the child’s behavior using the theories and research
discussed in class.
You will submit each of your observations with analysis for peer review. You will be expected to
revise each section based on peer review. You will then compile all the revised sections into the
final case study paper.
Each observation should have a 1.5-2.5 page description section, with a 1-2 page analysis section
following. The final case study paper with all of the observations together will be approximately
9-12 pages.
2
Journals
You will have assigned journal questions that ask you to apply what you have read about and
discussed in class to something you have observed at your site. Each of these journals will count
as 5 points towards your grade and require the following:
1. Use Specific examples of children’s behavior to defend your points
2. Use Specific examples from the reading including theoretical terms to explain what you
mean
If your entry does not follow the above instructions you will be asked to re-write it. Each journal
should be approximately 2.5-4.5 pages double spaced
Assignment Policies
Late journals will not be accepted by blackboard. Any journal not turned in on the due date will
receive a zero. All journals may be re-written for a better grade by the re-write deadline.
Observations not brought to class on the due date will result in zero credit.
Outline of Topics: The online course map attached is subject to revision, it is provided here as a
sample of the learning units and the sequence of topics. A finalized course map will be provided on
the first day of class See Attached
Teacher Education Department Student Professionalism Policy Statement:
This semester, you will receive and be asked to sign the Teacher Education Department professional
policy statement. The policy is summarized here. The Teacher Education Department of Borough of
Manhattan Community College requires that all students conduct themselves in a professional manner
during class, site visits, internships, course related activities and interactions with members of the Teacher
Education Department. The Teacher Education Department defines professional behavior in alignment
with the New York State Education Department Code of Ethics
(www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/resteachers/codeofethics.htm#statement). By reading and signing a copy
of the Teacher Education Student Professionalism Policy, you will agree to abide by these policies and
understand the ramifications of failure to abide by these policies. If you have any questions concerning
this policy please contact me or a faculty member of the Teacher Education Department.
College Attendance Policy:
At BMCC, the maximum number of absence hours is limited to one more class hour than the contact
hours as indicated in the BMCC college catalog. For example, you may be enrolled in a four hour class
that meets four times a week. You are allowed five hours of absence, not five days. In the case of
excessive absence, the instructor has the option to lower the grade or assign an “F” or “WU” grade.
Academic Adjustments for Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments for this
course must contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. BMCC is committed to
providing equal access to all programs and curricula to all students.
BMCC Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement:
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words or artistic, scientific, or technical work as
one’s own creation. Using the idea or work of another is permissible only when the original author is
identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original
source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily
absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism.
Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their
instructors. The library has guides designed to help students to appropriately identify a cited work. The
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full policy can be found on BMCC’s web site, www.bmcc.cuny.edu. For further information on integrity
and behavior, please consult the college bulletin (also available online).
Sample Course Map
Week/Dates
Learning Unit
Week 1/ 8/27-9/3
Introduction
Due Wednesday
Due Monday
8/29
Personal introductions on
Discussion board
“Meet” group members
9/3
Create blog: Write a personal introduction, what
do you hope to learn in this course
Week 2/
Theories of
development
Read Chapter 1: Text
Learning Unit includes
6 required Steps
Begin Step 2: Post answers to
theories forum: Discussion Board
Review Course Schedule, syllabus and resources
Post questions on Discussion Board
Complete Step 2: Reply to a post on theories
forum
Complete Step 1: Child Chart Wiki
Complete Step 4: Review Theoretical framework
Hand-out Course documents
Complete Step 5: Theorist web Wiki
Complete Step 3: A time you
changed Blog
Complete Step 6: Review main points lecture in
Lecture
Week 3/
Research in child
development
Learning Unit includes
7 required Steps
Week 4/
Research in child
development
Read Research Chapter: Text
Complete Steps 1and 2: Review
intro to research Lecture and
respond to research forum 1:
Discussion Board
Optional: post questions on Discussion Board
Complete Step 4: reply to another post in
Experiments in Psychology video forum:
Discussion Board
Complete Step 5: Review key points in research:
Lecture
Complete Step 3 and begin Step 4:
Watch video clips and post to
Experiments in Psychology video
forum: Discussion Board
Begin Step 6: Group work assignment: Group
Discussion Board
Continue Step 6: Post group work
assignment : Discussion Board
Complete Step 6: Respond to another groups
work: Discussion Board
Complete Step 7: Submit Journal 1: Assignments
4
Week 5/
Physical Development
Read Physical Development
Chapter: Text
Learning Unit includes
7 required Steps
Complete Step 1: Review principles
of physical development: Lecture
Begin Step 3: Watch video clips on physical
development. Post in Physical development video
forum: Discussion Board
Complete Step 2: Complete group
work: Wiki
Week 6/
Physical Development
Complete Step 3: Reply to another
post in Physical development video
forum
Complete Step 6: Submit Case Study Part 1:
Physical Observation for peer review: Group
Page
Complete Step 4: Complete physical
observation: Wiki
Complete Step 7: Complete Peer review of Case
Study 1: Group Page
Complete Step 5: Submit Journal 2:
Assignments
Week 7/
Cognitive
Development:
Read Piaget section of cognitive
development chapter: Text
Complete Step 2: Comment on at least 2 blog
entries: Class Blog
Complete Step 1, review intro to
Learning Unit includes cognitive development: Lecture
9 required Steps
Piaget within 3 sections Begin Step 2, Learning Blog entry:
Class Blog
Complete Step 3, Watch Piaget video clip and post
response: Discussion Board
Week 8/
Cognitive
Development:
Piaget and Vygotsky
Read Vygotsky section: Text
Begin Step 5: Group work teaching a concept:
Group Discussion Board
Week 9/
Cognitive
Development:
Cognitive Processing
Read Cognitive Processing Chapter:
Text
Complete Step 4: watch the learning
classroom video clip Post and
respond: Discussion Board
Complete Step 5: Post Group work
teaching a concept: Discussion
Board
Optional: review key points in
cognitive development: Lecture
Complete Step 6: Submit Journal 3: Assignments
Post at least 2 responses to either teaching a
concept group work or teaching/learning
reflections
Complete Step 8: Post Cognitive Observation,
complete peer review: Group Page
Complete Step 9, Submit Journal 4: Assignments
Complete Step 7, Teaching/ learning
partner work: Wimba IM and Wiki
post reflection questions: Discussion
Board
5
Week 10/
Read Language Development
Language Development Chapter: Text
Learning Unit includes
7 required Steps within
2 sections
Respond to at least 3 posts in language forum:
Discussion Board
Complete Step 1, Review Key points Begin Step 3, Language theory debate: Group
in language development: Lecture
work
Complete Step 2, Watch video clips
and post in language forum:
Discussion Board
Week 11/
Language and literacy
Complete Step 3, Language theory
debate: Discussion Board
Read literacy section: Text
Complete Step 5: Submit Journal 5: Assignments
Complete Step 6 : My own language/ literacy
learning: Blog
Choose 1 article to read: Course
Documents
Week 11/
Emotional
Development
Learning Unit includes
7 required Steps
Complete Step 4: Literacy forum:
Discussion Board
Read emotional development
chapter Text
Complete Step 4: take temperament survey and
respond to part 2 emotional/social Blog
Complete Step 1: Read mini-lecture
on attachment and view strange
situation video Lecture
Complete Step 5: Respond to
attachment/temperament forum Discussion
Board
Complete Step 2: Personal response
to part 1 emotional/social Blog
Complete Step 6: Review emotional regulation
lecture: Lecture
Complete Step 3: Review minilecture on temperament Lecture
Week 12/
Emotional/
Social development
Complete Step 7: View emotional
development video and respond to
emotional regulation discussion
board: Discussion Board
Read Social Development chapter Text
Complete Step 1 respond to Erikson’s psychosocial theory question Discussion Board
Complete Step 2 view Social Cognition video and
respond Discussion Board
Week 13/
Social Development
Learning Unit includes
6 required Steps
Complete Step 3: review Social
Cognition mini-lecture and respond
in social development Wiki
Complete Step 4 Submit journal 6
Assignments
Complete Step 5 Post Social Emotional
Observation Group Work
Complete Step 6 Conduct peer review of partner’s
observation Group Page
6
Week 14/
Course review
Complete group Work Part 1
Group Work
Week 15/
Submit Final Case Study Paper
Assignments
Post Questions about social emotional
development Discussion Board
Complete and Submit Group Work Part 2
Assignments
Wrap up Post in Discussion Board
Share in Discussion Board
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