Course Guide
for
EDR 211
Reading in the Content Areas
University of the Philippines
OPEN UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Education
SECOND SEMESTER, AY 2007-2008
NEMAH N. HERMOSA, PhD
Faculty-in-Charge (FIC)
Please read this course guide thoroughly.
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
1
WELCOME TO EDR 211!
EDR 211 Reading in the Content Areas is primarily about techniques and strategies
in reading textual materials in the content areas.
COURSE GOALS
This 3-unit graduate-level explores how students comprehend and learn with text and
how teachers can assist them in these processes through strategic teaching and
learning. The use of textbooks and trade books in both print and electronic formats is
explored, with more focus on expository reading and an examination of the many kinds
of text that students encounter from elementary school through college. Constructivist
theoretical and foundational considerations will help frame the exploration, modeling,
and practice of a range of strategies. After completing the course, you will demonstrate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
An understanding of current issues in education that are changing traditional
instructional practices, particularly those involving reading and writing in
content classrooms.
An understanding of the major text structures of written English/Filipino,
particularly the variations of expository text used in content area classrooms.
An awareness of techniques for assessing textbook difficulty.
The ability to organize and plan for effective instruction using techniques and
materials which involve reading and writing and which enhance learning in a
content classroom.
The ability to use trade books (primarily children’s literature) and the Internet
to facilitate learning in a content area classroom.
COURSE OUTLINE
Part I
The Context of Content Area Reading
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Part II
What is content area reading (CAR)?
Reading Matters
Struggling Readers and Writers
Learning with Textbooks, Trade Books and Electronic Texts
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
The Nature of Texts (Text organization & structure)
Assessing Text Difficulty
Learning with Trade Books and Electronic Texts
Part III CAR Instructional Practices and Strategies
Module
Module
Module
Module
Module
Module
7
8
9
10
11
12
Bringing Students and Texts Together
Developing Vocabulary Knowledge and Concepts
Activating Prior Knowledge and Interest
Studying Texts (Study guides/study strategies)
Guiding Reader-Text Interaction
Writing to Learn
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
2
COURSE MATERIALS
You should have the following course materials at the start of the semester:

EDR 211 Reading in the Content Areas by Dumagpi, R.L. and Gonzales, M.J.

Course Reader (a compilation of readings)
These will be uploaded in the Moodle course site:

Course Guide (this will be uploaded at the start of the course)

Assignment Guides (to be uploaded as the course progresses)

Other resources, including WWW-based links (at relevant points of the course)
Please take note that the Course Outline does not revolve around nor follow the
sequence of the modules in the book EDR 211 Reading in the Content Areas. The book
was the main resource in earlier offerings of EDR 211, when it was not taught online.
The course is currently being restructured, not only in terms of its syllabus (based on
feedback from previous students and instructors) but also its format (resource-based
course). The book and Course Reader are just two of the course resources. Chapters to
be used will be indicated for relevant parts of the course as we progress through the
semester. Likewise, the other resources will be uploaded or linked in our Moodle site.
With the emergent nature of EDR 211 this term, your participation in the course
activities and tasks will be deeply appreciated since they are, in a sense, being
pilot tested. Your feedback is also welcome.
COURSE SCHEDULE
The course schedule has been laid out mainly by topics and tasks, rather than by weeks.
I have indicated the approximate number of weeks and estimated dates for each
topic/task. Some of these may change in the course of the term, but the parts and
modules indicated in the Course Outline will be covered.
Module/Task
Preliminaries
Topic/Activity
Introductions
Course Orientation (through Course
Guide/Announcements)
Part I
The Context of Content Area Reading
Module 1
What is content area reading (CAR)?
Module 2
Reading matters
Module 3
Struggling readers and writers
DF 1
See guide question(s) in Moodle.
QUIZ 1
This 15-point quiz covers Modules 1-3 and
will be taken in Moodle.
TMA1
No. of
weeks
Documenting CAR Practice: How is reading
and writing used to learn content?
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
Expected
Dates
1 week
Nov 4-10
2 weeks
Nov 11-24
Nov 24
Due: Nov. 30
3
Part II
Learning with Textbooks, Trade Books, and Electronic Texts
Module 4
Text Organization & Structure: Narrative
and Expository Texts
Module 5
Assessing Text Difficulty
DF 2
See guide question(s) in Moodle.
TMA 2
Graphic Organizers: Analyzing narrative and
expository text structure
Module 6
Using Trade Books and Electronic Texts in
the Content Classroom
DF 3
See guide question(s) in Moodle.
TMA 3
Group Work: WebQuest and WQ Report
QUIZ 2
This 35-point quiz covers Modules 4-6 and
will be taken in Moodle.
Part III
Instructional Practices and Strategies
Module 7
Bringing Students and Texts Together
DF 4
See guide question(s) in Moodle.
Module 8
Developing Vocabulary Knowledge and
Concepts
Module 9
Activating Prior Knowledge and Interest
DF 5
See guide question(s) in Moodle.
Module 10
Studying Texts
Module 11
Guiding Reader-Text Interaction
Module 12
Writing to Learn
DF 6
See guide question(s) in the Moodle course
website.
DF 7
This DF will be in aid of TMA 4; interaction
will focus on concerns relating to the
assignment.
3 weeks
Nov 25Dec 15
Due: Dec 15
3 weeks
Dec 16-Jan
5
Due: Jan 5
Jan 5
1 week
Jan 6-12
2 weeks
Jan 13-26
3 weeks
Jan 27Feb 16
3 weeks
Jan 27-Feb
16
6 weeks
Jan 13-Feb
23
(For the most part, this is asynchronous, as the
previous DFs. On the 6th week, Feb 17-23,
synchronous discussions (chats) may be
scheduled.)
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
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TMA 4
Developing a unit/lesson plan in a content
area
(This is a scaffolded activity that starts with
Module 7. The TMA should be finished by Feb 29
and be brought to the final exam.
EXAM
7 weeks
(7th week is
for revision
and
finalization
To cover major aspects of the course, with
emphasis on Part III.
Jan 13-Feb
29
Due
March 1
(needed
for exam)
March 1
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
As UPOU students, you know that for the most part you will be studying on your own.
Do read/view the resources, guided by the Course Schedule. This way you will be
able to keep up with the discussion, assignments and other requirements.
A. Participation in the Discussion Forums
EDR 211 is an online course. Class discussions will be online through the discussion
forums in the Moodle learning platform. Therefore, please disregard the “Study
Session” dates scheduled in the Academic Calendar, as these refer to classes that
meet for face-to-face tutorials.
Please participate in the online discussion since this is an opportunity for you to
clarify what you have learned on your own not only with your tutor but also with
other members of the class. It is also a good way to learn from one another.
Depending on the size of the class, a tutor other than myself, may facilitate online
discussions.
To optimize learning, you are usually requested to join each discussion at least
twice: the first time to post your answer to the discussion questions; and the second
time to respond/react to any of your classmates’ posts. Please be guided by the
questions and schedule for each DF (see Course Schedule).
Other forums may be put up for non-academic interaction as needed. The forum
Kapihan-sa-211 will be a “chikahan” or “tambayan” kind of forum. It should be on
things not directly related to EDR 211. For inquiries regarding the course, outside of
content (which is covered in the DFs), please use the Clearing House 211 forum.
Your contribution to the discussion boards will be graded. Your postings
should answer the discussion questions in a concise way and with as much insight
and reflection as possible. There are usually no right or wrong answers to the
questions, only honest and well thought out ones. And it is important that your
second posting to each DF be a response to the postings of your classmates. Do feel
free to post more than twice. It will be most welcome and highly appreciated. And
please be guided by the following marking scheme (middle values may be given).
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
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Rubrics for DF Postings
Answer to Guide Question
The answer shows a deep understanding of the ideas in the course
materials.
They reflect an incisive analysis of theory, practice and personal
experience.
They are well supported by valid arguments, appropriate
examples/illustrations/details and relevant personal experiences.
Reaction/Comments
The reactions/comments reflect understanding and analysis of the
DB postings concerned.
They are reasonable and well supported by theory/practice/
personal experience/logical examples/illustrations.
Timeliness
The postings are timely/up-to-date (i.e., contributed within the
assigned schedule/time frame).
Organization and Mechanics
The postings are organized, clear, concise, and grammatically
correct.
TOTAL
Score
5
7
10
5
7
10
5
7
10
1
3
5
1
3
5
1
3
5
1
3
5
/50
B. Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs)
EDR 211 requires four (4) Tutor-Marked Assignments or TMAs. TMA guides will be
uploaded in the Moodle website at relevant points. These assignments will be graded
based on specific scoring guidelines, or rubrics, accompanying each assignment
guide.
Submission Guidelines. TMAs may be submitted online as email attachments or in
hard copy, to your Learning Center or mailed to me in the address given elsewhere in
this guide.
Hard copy submissions: Unless otherwise prescribed, use letter-size (8.5” x 11”)
paper. Print on only one side of the sheet. Every page should carry your name,
course number, the TMA# and the page number. Every assignment should carry this
cover format:
EDR 211, 2nd Sem, 2007-08
Reading in the Content Areas
Assignment No. _______
(NAME)
Date Submitted: _______________________________
Received by: __________________________________
Learning Center: ______________________________
If you mail your TMA by conventional mail/courier, please make sure it is postmarked
not later than the date when it is due, and mail it directly to my address given on
page 9.
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
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Submit all TMAs on time. You can submit a hard copy of your TMA to your
Learning Center. But it will take some time for me to receive it if your LC is other
than LC-Diliman because then it has to be officially routed through designated UPOU
offices. So, I actually prefer that you submit them as email attachments (see below).
Online submissions: TMAs submitted online as email attachments to
ca.reading@yahoo.com should carry this file name:
201TMA#_Familyname/Initial.ext
Examples:
211TMA1_DelosSantosR.doc
211TMA2_MarquezS.pdf
For appendices that are in separate files, use this format:
211TMA1_DelosSantosR_app1.doc
211TMA2_MarquezS_app1.pdf
C. Quizzes
There will be two quizzes in this course: Quiz 1 is a 15-item test covering Part I; Quiz
2 is a 35-item test covering Part II. These quizzes will be Moodle-based. Dates of the
quizzes are indicated in the Course Schedule. You make certain to access the site on
those dates.
D. Final Exam
There is only one examination in EDR 211— the final exam. This will cover the major
concepts and organizing principles of the course, with particular emphasis on Part III
– Instructional Practices and Strategies. This exam is scheduled on March 1,
2008, as per the UPOU Academic Calendar for AY 2007-2008. Please mark
this early in your calendar so you free this date for the exam and can make
necessary arrangements with your employer, if needed.
UPOU exams, by default, are proctored sit-down exams, which you take in your
respective Learning Center/Testing Center. Exams for off-shore students (those
based abroad) are taken in officially designated places (usually, the Philippine
consulate, or an academic institution in your area) and watched by officiallydesignated proctors. When this is not feasible, online exams may be given, either
Moodlle-based or through Web Cam technology, if Moodle is not feasible. If you are
an off-shore student, please make the necessary arrangements with the
Office of the Registrar regarding arrangements for your exam early enough.
See contact information at myportal@upou.org.
NB: Please bring a copy of your TMA4 to the exam. It will be needed for one
of the major items of the test. Those who are not done with TMA4 will not be
allowed to take the exam.
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
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GRADING SCHEME
Following are the allotted points for each course requirement. The table shows the
transmutation values for the final course grade.
TMA 1 Documenting CAR Practice (individual)
TMA 2 Graphic Organizers: Text Structure (individual)
TMA 3 WebQuest Activity (group)
TMA 4 Unit/Lesson Plan (individual)
DB Participation
Quizzes
Exam
TOTAL
150
100
150
300
100
50
150
1000 points
GRADING SCALE
There are 1000 points possible for this course. Each requirement’s point value is listed above. Grades will be
assigned as listed below. The passing grade is 3.0. However, If you are in a master’s program, please
remember that to keep your master’s standing, your GWA should be 2.0 or better.
1.0
951 - 1000 pts
1.75
800 - 849 pts
2.5
650 - 699 pts
4.0 500 - 549 pts
1.25
900 - 949 pts
2.0
750 - 799 pts
2.75
600 - 649 pts
1.5
850 - 899 pts
2.25
700 - 749 pts
3.0
550 - 599 pts
5.0
Below 500 pts
HOUSE RULES
1.
Participate actively in each Discussion Forum to maximize your learning.
2.
Try hard to follow the Course Schedule.
3.
Submit TMAs on or before their due dates. You will be duly informed and
reminded about the deadline for each TMA. Late TMAs will be accepted,
provided there is a valid reason for the delay. However, they cannot be
awarded the highest possible score.
4.
TMAs should be written in English or Filipino. Be grammatical. Write as effectively
as possible (i.e., with clarity and coherence, as well as conciseness).
5.
Do your TMAs yourself and observe the ethics of scholarship. You may discuss
your work with each other (for example during online study sessions or in a study
group off schedule).
If you “borrow” or use an idea from another source (meaning someone other than
yourself), be sure to cite that source (or sources). Enclose quoted material in
quotation marks or use italics and write the source. But as much as possible,
paraphrase, do not lift. Be reminded that as per UP policy, plagiarism can
be grounds for suspension or expulsion.
Acknowledge sources and make a bibliography of them at the end of the
assignment following APA (American Psychological Association) guidelines. You
can consult http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ for the APA
formats.
6.
Always keep a duplicate copy of your TMAs in your files just in case you need to
resubmit them (e.g., they are lost in transit; or there is a technological glitch).
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
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7.
Address inquiries about the course to the relevant course discussion
forum or to ca.reading@yahoo.com. SMS and phone calls should be kept
to a minimum, should be sent/made only when necessary, and only
between 8am and 9pm, Monday to Saturday.
8.
Read the announcements in the myportal@upou.org regularly. If you are a new
UPOU student, you can take the DE Readiness Quiz to find out if you are likely
to succeed as a DE student. Please read UP’s Acceptable Use Policy and the
other resources in the Student Tools section of the portal.
9.
For other concerns related to your role as a UPOU student, please consult your
copy of the Student Handbook. You can download the latest edition of the
handbook from myportal@upou.org.
10.
Matters that concern off-shore students are also found in myportal@upou.org.
CONTACT INFORMATION
I am your Faculty-in-Charge. There is more information about me in our course website
in Moodle. You may reach me at:
DR. NEMAH N. HERMOSA
UP Open University
3/F National Computer Center, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Email:
ca.reading@yahoo.com
Telephone:
+63 2 920 7117 (Office)
Mobile:
+63 915 7118085
Contact information about your tutor (if he/she is other than myself) will be posted at
the Moodle course website.
Technical support contact information:
Technical Support
UPOU Multimedia Center
3/F National Computer Center, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Telephone.: +63 2 927-3811
Email: techsupport@upou.net
Please read announcements relating to technical matters in myportal@upou at
http://upou.net/virtuallc/.
Student support contact information (Dean’s Office):
Faculty of Education
UP Open University
Los Baños, Laguna 4031
Telefax:
+63 49 536-6009
Telephone:
+63 49 536-6001 to 06 loc. 331, 831
Email: fed@upou.net
If you do not have the contact information of your Learning Center / Testing Center,
please email fed@upou.net.
EDR 211 Course Guide/2nd Semester, AY 2007 - 2008/Nemah N. Hermosa
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