Here is what the program requires for you to earn a teaching skills certificate. Please note that
all documents will be submitted in an electronic portfolio.
Training in Teaching Skills
•
You are required to attend SEVEN
instructional workshops about the
essential skills of teaching. Each of these
workshops takes about two hours. A
required one-page reflection paper
follows each workshop.
•
You are required to attend at least ONE
technology workshop. This is to
familiarize you with some of the
programs that educators can use to
enhance their teaching practice. You
have the option to complete additional
workshops (see below) if desired.
•
You are required to complete the all-day Sakai 101 course. This is especially important if you are going to be
teaching at USA. However, even if you will teach elsewhere, practice building a course in an online environment
will benefit your future teaching.
Teaching Experience
•
You are required to OBSERVE professors “in action” on THREE separate occasions. For each observation, you will
take note of various strategies and practices the professor employs in the classroom to engage student learning.
•
You are required to TEACH a lesson (on a limited basis – 20-30 minutes: “Microteaching”) in a group of your
peers. The teaching will be evaluated using the same observation form you use for professor observations. You
will follow this with a reflection on your process and on the session.
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Scholarship and Service
FACTS ABOUT THE PROGRAM
•You are required to complete a Scholarship on Teaching and
Learning (SoTL) PAPER. In this paper, you will summarize and analyze
three articles that relate to teaching strategies in your content area.
Requirements can be completed over
multiple semesters. Once you begin the
program, the requirements can be
completed in any order, as your schedule
permits. It is required, however, that you
complete the training sessions prior to doing
your practice teaching.
•You are required to complete a Statement of Teaching Philosophy.
This will be a two-page paper outlining your personal view of how you
can be an effective instructor.
•You are required to complete FOUR hours of Service or, optionally,
additional instructional or technology workshops. These hours will be
arranged on an individual basis with the program coordinator.
As you complete the requirements for this certificate, we suggest
you create and maintain an electronic PORTFOLIO of your learning
about teaching. This can be used when you interview for positions
involving teaching in higher education.
If you have questions about the Graduate Student Teaching Certificate
Program Requirements, please contact the Innovation in Learning
Center at the University of South Alabama. Additional information is
also available on our website.
http://southalabama.edu/departments/ilc/ga-teaching.html
ilc@southalabama.edu
Each of the instructional workshops is
offered only once per semester. The
technology workshops are offered multiple
times, and you can select any one.
The scholarship/service options and the
micro-teaching sessions are arranged on an
individual basis with the program
coordinator.
There are two on-campus Sakai workshops
scheduled for the spring and fall semesters.
The Sakai 101 course can also be completed
online at your convenience. Please contact
the program coordinator if you are
interested in this option.
(251) 461-1888
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