Mary Baldwin College -- Master of Arts in Teaching Program
ED611K: Seminar
Course Syllabus – Fall 15
Seminar will meet Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Oct. 29, Nov. 19 4pm
Reflective Synthesis meets directly after seminar except for Sept. 10 and Oct. 8
All students in Seminar should also register for Reflective Synthesis.
Roanoke Higher Education Center Room 806
Instructor: Dr. Alice M. Waddell
Mary Baldwin College
Roanoke Higher Education Center (On Thursdays)
108 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 816
Roanoke, VA 24016-2426
540-767-6175 Phone
540-767-6176 Fax
awaddell@mbc.edu
1378 Ross Road (Home Office)
Lexington, VA 24450
540-463-4043 Home Office
540-463-6627 Fax
540-463-3243 Home Phone
alicewaddell@yahoo.com
Course Description:
Seminar provides MAT students the opportunity to reflect on their entire MAT
experience, to explore with other students the insights and understandings they
have gained throughout the program in coursework, practice, and ED 609/610,
ED 614 or ED 612. During seminar, students critically analyze their own teaching
and prepare a written and oral presentation of an instructional unit they have
created and taught.
Course Text: (Optional, but recommended)
Ryan, Cooper, Tauer, Teaching for student Learning, 2ned., Wadsworth
Cengage Learning, Belmont, 2008 ISBN: 978-1-111-83360-2
Course Goals:
☻ Students will “carry” the class. That is, this seminar is for you to
discuss your experiences, share your concerns, set your aspirations, and meet
your needs by discussing those topics with your peers. Most discussions will
be peer-led.
☺ Class sessions of the seminar are designed to support your professional
development experiences. To this end, discussions will focus on issues
that you encounter in the classroom and on topics that will enrich your
experiences in the classroom.
☻ The seminar will provide a forum for structuring reflections on your
experiences in the entire MAT program. This will be accomplished by
weekly journal reflections via Blackboard.
Course Requirements:
♦ Attendance and PARTICIPATION
♦ Weekly reflective online journal
♦ Video and assessment
40%
40%
20%
Grading Scale:
A
AB+
B
B-
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
Explanation of Requirements:
1. Attendance and Participation:
Attendance at ALL meetings of the seminar is required. Much of the value of
the course to you depends on your involvement in discussions and your leading
such discussions. The instructor will serve as a facilitator for seminars. If you
are unable to attend a seminar, please notify Dr. Waddell as far in advance as
possible. Unexplained, unexcused, or excessive absences WILL negatively affect
the grade for the course.
You will participate in online sharing via Blackboard.
2. Weekly Reflections:
Your weekly reflection will describe and document your classroom experiences in
much detail. It will also provide an opportunity for feedback on your experiences.
In your journal, emphasize your reflections on what has taken place; in other
words, do not merely list events. Analyze what you are experiencing.
Reflections are due each week. They are to be submitted on the Discussion
Board by 11:59pm on Monday of each week for the previous week’s reflections.
Thus, you will have the opportunity of sharing your reflections with your peers.
Please consider confidentiality in all cases. You must post your own and
respond to at least two others.
Reflections should include successes, issues, concerns, ah-ha moments, and other
topics of interest that arise during the week in your school or classroom.
3. Video tape one lesson and use an Observation form to do a self-assessment.
Instructors’ Expectations:

Come to class with enthusiasm, ready to challenge some of your
preconceptions about teaching and learning as you build your own
understandings.
 Abide by the provisions of the Honor Code of Mary Baldwin College.
The course catalog contains additional information about the Honor
Code.
 Attend all classes. Check Blackboard Announcements or Center
announcements for notices of cancellation of seminar.
 Word process your assignments (double-space, 12 pt. font, Times New
Roman), and submit on the due date as specified. Your name, date, and the
assignment title should appear on all assignments. Assignments should be
presented with all grammatical, spelling, or mechanics/structures issues
(such as logical flow, transitions) resolved before being submitted.
Class Schedule:
Sept. 3
Introduction and Overview, Discuss legal issues
Oct. 1
Share experiences; Discuss relevant topics
Oct. 29
Share experiences; Discuss relevant topics
Nov. 19
Interview process; Finalize student teaching issues
Video is due by the 8th week of student teaching.
Always check Blackboard each Thursday and several other days during the week
for Announcements.
Look forward to working with you!
Always remember -- “never be afraid to go out on
the limb, that’s where the fruit is!”(Anonymous)