Department of Curriculum and Instruction
College of Education
Pittsburg State University
CURIN 307-01 Clinical Experience
Fall 2009
Credit Hours: 1
Instructor: Dr. Trinity Davis
Office: 112K Hughes Hall
Office Hours: Posted on office door & by appointment
Classroom: 213 Hughes Hall
Phone: 235-4502 E-mail: tdavis@pittstate.edu
Course Times and Dates:
CURIN 307-01: 3:30-4:30 M
COURSE DATES:
8/24, 8/31, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28
10/26 (mid-semester meeting)
12/7(final meeting)
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course includes exploration of educational topics, effective teaching strategies, and student-focused
lesson planning. The course meets seven times on campus—five at the beginning of the semester,
one at approximately mid-semester, and one at the end of the semester. The supervised laboratory
experiences of 33 clock hours in area schools include presentation of two well-planned lessons at
appropriate levels, plus a variety of other educational activities, as directed by on-site supervisor.
Graded on a PASS - FAIL basis. 1 hour credit.
II. PREREQUISITES
Successful completion of CURIN 261 with a clinical (school) experience of 33 clock hours or the
equivalent course at another institution. (NOTE: In addition, CURIN 308 students will have
successfully completed CURIN 307.)
III. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
To provide structured coursework and guided field experiences designed to help prepare PSU teacher
candidates for successful entry into future K-12 teaching roles.
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES (based upon specific--indicated by numbers--COE Professional
Knowledge Base indicators): Upon successful completion of this course, the teacher candidate
should be able to:
A. Describe and demonstrate a professional attitude at all times. (1, 2, 6, 9, 12)
B. Analyze and utilize appropriate lesson planning and teaching strategies for students on a oneto-one basis, small group, and/or whole group settings. (3, 14, 17, 23, 25, 28, 30, 32, 36, 41,
48, 52)
C. Observe and reflect upon classroom application of theory and instructional models. (15)
D. Discuss confidentiality issues in education. (6)
E. Observe, record, and analyze students' behavior, events, and environment in regular
classrooms. (60)
F. Reflect on the educational significance of the on-site experience. (15)
V. NO REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND NO FORMAL EXAMINATIONS
VI. INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES (Recommended Reading)
Good, T. L. & Brophy, J. E. (2000). Looking in Classrooms, 8th Edition. New York, Addison
Wesley Longman, Inc. (earlier editions are also good)
Wong, H. & R. (1990). The First Days of School. Los Angeles, Wong Publishing.
VII. TEACHING STRATEGIES UTILIZED WITHIN THE COURSE:
A. Direct instruction in seminar sessions on campus
B. Small group discussion and cooperative learning activities in seminar sessions; peer and
instructor critiques.
C. Observation and participation in site-based classroom activities under the guidance of a
designated supervising site teacher.
D. Video presentation
E. Other strategies, as appropriate and timely.
VIII. REQUIREMENTS and EXPECTATIONS:
A. CAMPUS ATTENDANCE: Mandatory attendance at each on-campus session for
the dates specified in the syllabus. Crisis situations: Contact the instructor immediately to
avoid being dropped from the course. Any session missed, due to emergency, MUST BE
made up.
FIELD (On-Site) ATTENDANCE: Hours required in on-site classroom: Minimum
of 33 hours per semester, usually an average of 3 hours per week through the end of the
semester. To receive credit for this course, ALL of these hours must be completed. NOTIFY
THE ON-SITE TEACHER AND SCHOOL IF YOU MUST BE ABSENT. Make-up sessions
must be arranged with the on-site supervising teacher. NOTE: Make-up time is normally
not required if the school or PSU is not in session at your scheduled time; however, the
course instructor or on-site supervising teacher may require you to do so. The 33 clock hour
minimum is required, regardless of site or campus days not in session.
B. EXPECTATION OF PROFESSIONALISM AND PARTICIPATION: Prompt arrival
on campus and for on-site sessions is CRUCIAL. Positive, courteous, professional
participation in classroom activities, both on-campus and in the assigned classroom, with
implementation of suggestions offered by the course instructor or the on-site supervising
teacher, is expected at all times. Dress codes of the placement sites are to be followed at all
times. (NOTE: Dress code will be discussed on campus, with an additional handout of
expectations.)
C. ACADEMIC HONESTY: Course participants are expected to follow the PSU Academic
Honesty Policy, which speaks to unethical acts associated with coursework or grades. The
policy lists specifically, but is not limited to, the following:
1. giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations, preparation of notebooks,
papers, and other assignments;
2. handing in the same work for more than one course without instructor
permission;
3. engaging in plagiarism (FULL TEXT of this policy in PSU catalog) including the
use of part or all of someone else’s written or spoken ideas without fully citing the
source.)
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D. ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments are to be submitted on time with high-quality content. All assignments,
unless otherwise specified, are to be typed or word-processed, error-free. Every assignment
AND the on-site experience must be satisfactorily completed to earn a passing grade (P) for
the course; otherwise, a grade of FAIL (F) will be issued. Consult with the course instructor
concerning extenuating circumstances.
Course syllabus is found on ANGEL. Forms needed for on-site evaluations, plus some other
course handouts, are found on ANGEL under the Lessons section. ANGEL’ Announcements
will be utilized by the campus instructor for additional communication, fyi’s, etc. throughout
the semester.
CAMPUS ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL CURIN 307/308
STUDENTS: Information will be provided for each assignment during class sessions.
1. LETTER of INTRODUCTION: Compose, edit, and revise, if so directed, a
letter of introduction to the on-site supervising teacher. (Teacher candidates will
present this letter to the on-site supervisors at first on-site meeting.)
a) LETTER DUE: August 31(2nd campus session)
NOTE: Letter will be submitted to course instructor and must be
evaluated as “Pass/100 pts” or “Fail/0 pts” prior to letter being
presented to on-site supervising teacher. Rewrites will be required, if
necessary.
No letter will be presented to site teacher unless it is a pass!
2. CONFIDENTIALITY ISSUES & SITE-REFLECTION MID-TERM
PAPER – Written on campus at mid-semester meeting: Discuss with on-site
school personnel the legal aspects and practices regarding confidentiality in the
handling and use of personal and educational information about students and their
families. Research the legalities of confidentiality through information from the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). (Web site provided in
assignment handout during class session.) (NOTE: CURIN 308 students will NOT
be required to do this assignment.)
a) Bring researched notes to class: October 26 (mid-term meeting)
b) Response to 1 question on confidentiality: Question will be given and
response written during this mid-term class session.
c) Response to Site-Reflection question: Question will be given and
response written during this mid-term class session.
NOTE: Open Notes from FERPA website information, school site
information, and On-site Journal.
3. TWO LESSON REFLECTIONS (submitted after Lesson Presentations in onsite Classroom): Due by October 26/December 7
a) Lesson Reflection #1: Submit to campus instructor within one week after
presenting lesson in on-site classroom. (Lesson plan used in on-site
presentation and site supervisor evaluation are to accompany reflection.)
b) Lesson Reflection #2: Submit to campus instructor on or before final
campus session, if possible. (Lesson plan used in on-site presentation and stie
supervisor evaluation are to accompany reflection.)
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4. SIGNIFICANCE OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE-FINAL PAPER: Written
IN-CLASS during final campus session. (On-Site Journal, explained elsewhere in this
syllabus, will be utilized to write about specific events, experiences, thoughts, etc.)
ON-SITE ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL CURIN 307/308 STUDENTS:
Appropriate information and discussion during on-campus sessions will be provided in preparation
for these on-site assignments:
1. PLAN and TEACH 2 LESSONS: In collaboration with the on-site supervising
teacher, prepare two appropriate lesson plans and teach each lesson to a small
group or whole class, as directed by the site teacher. He/she will OBSERVE and
EVALUATE the teaching on a form provided by the campus instructor. The two
lessons should contain appropriate objectives and strategies for the needs of all
students to whom the lessons will be taught.
2.
ON-SITE JOURNAL: Keep a Log of the dates and times you attended the onsite classroom. Maintain an On-Site Journal (written record) of your observations,
experiences, emotions, and ideas. Show it to the supervising teacher upon request.
The journal will be utilized on campus on TWO OCCASIONS: (a.) for written
reflection during the mid-term campus session; (b) for written reflection during the
final campus session’s Significance of Clinical Experience” final assignment.
3. EVALUATIONS COMPLETED BY ON-SITE SUPERVISING TEACHER:
i. MID-TERM AND FINAL EVALUATION FORMS regarding your
professionalism, assigned tasks, and teaching performance are to be
completed and signed by the on-site supervising teacher, signed by you, and
then returned by you to the course instructor in a timely fashion.
(CRUCIAL)
ii. EVALUATIONS/FEEDBACK of the two lessons presented on site.
iii. NOTE: Utilize the on-site experience and feedback opportunities by being
open to suggestions, directions, and tasks provided by the on-site supervising
teacher. Each site provides its own unique opportunities and challenges.
NOTE: MID-TERM and FINAL EVALUATIONS completed by on-site supervisor MUST BE
submitted to campus instructor according to the following schedule:
MID-TERM EVALUATION SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN end of MARCH.
FINAL EVLUATION SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN final exam week. (No
grade will be given for this course until satisfactory final evaluation has been submitted.
TRANSFER STUDENTS who did not take CURIN 261Explorations in Education at
PSU, but transferred credit for an equivalent course from another institution, must complete the
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TRANSFER MODULE . All aspects of the Transfer Module must be satisfactory completed as part
of the requirements for admission to PSU’s Teacher Education program.
A TRANSFER MODULE PACKET and NECESSARY INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED
TO TRANSFER STUDENTS during an on-campus meeting early in the semester.
IX. SCORE POSTING AND GRADING: Scores are not posted publicly in the Curriculum and
Instruction Department. Check your grades on ANGEL. Scores will be posted. All assignments
must be satisfactorily completed to receive a PASS. Rating System as recorded on ANGEL:
PASS (100pts): Well above what would be expected of most people at this stage in
teacher training.
FAIL (0pts): Area(s) of serious concern, great deal of development needed.
Students are expected to complete all assignments with a rating of Pass. Assignments
receiving a “0” must be re-submitted until “Pass.”
To receive a PASS (P) for the course, all campus and site assignments and evaluations must be
submitted and must receive a SATISFACTORY or above rating. CONTACT THE
INSTRUCTOR IN REGARD TO ANY MISSING OR UNSATISFACTORY SCORES.
HOW TO ACCESS COURSE INFORMATION ON ANGEL
1. Log on to www.piittstate.edu and click on ANGEL.
2. Type in the following information:
a. Name: PSU ID Number (all 7 digits)
b. Password: Last four digits of social security number
3. Click on CURIN 307 Clinical Experience or CURIN 308 Specialized Clinical Experience
4. Announcements: Timely information/updates will be posted, as needed.
5. Lessons: Assignments, documents will be available here.
Contact Gorilla Geeks Help Center at 109 Whitesitt 620.235.4600 or
www.geeks@pittstate.edu for questions.
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