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TELC 4006 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

TELC 4006 - Teachers as Agents of Change

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course is designed for individuals working in a public school environment on the Alternative/Transitional License or the Occupational License. It provides an overview of current issues, trends and problems that are commonplace to teaching in public school settings. Students will engage in analytic learning experiences which focus on: a) teaching in urban, suburban and rural settings, b) meeting the needs of diverse student populations, c) legal issues that impact teachers and public education, d) developing knowledge and skills regarding professionalism, national and state initiatives, effective teaching, accountability issues, licensure, e) reflective thought to improve current practices. 

Course Outcomes:

(For more details, refer to the Tennessee Professional License Standards)

Primary Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the teaching profession in terms of current issues, trends, and educational reform. ( Std. 3)
  • Demonstrate understanding of "schools as mirrors of society" by analyzing issues such as accountability through testing, school safety,
  • policies regarding the use of internet, and curriculum and instruction. (Std. 4 & 5)

Secondary Objectives

  • Analyze classroom demographics to develop a broader perspective of classroom situations in a variety of settings. (Std. 9)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of changing demographics in today's public schools by analyzing existing ELL programs that are available to them as classroom teachers. (Std. 6 & 9)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of professional issues a) teacher performance standards, b) school improvement process and plan, c) teacher certification process, d) Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, e) and adequate yearly progress (AYP). (Std. 9)
  • Demonstrate relevant reflective knowledge by analyzing SIP (school improvement plans), Gateway Algebra and Biology scores and trends, AYP of disaggregated groups and how these issues are communicated to faculty, parents, and community. (Std. 6, 9, 10)
  • Demonstrate understanding of critical court cases that continue to impact public schools; and, Tennessee laws that directly impact teachers. (Std. 9)
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

None

Course Topics:
Specific Course Requirements:

This course is divided into six Modules of study. Related reading assignments as well as related slide shows for each Module will assist in understanding the material. Assignments are designed to provide relevant information and application of professional material to the classroom setting. All assignments must be saved in either MS Word (.doc), as a rich text file (.rtf), or as a pdf file (.pdf). The online environment offered via the D2L/RODP course site requires that all completed assignments be uploaded to your student dropbox unless you are completing a Discussion Forum. Successful completion of the course depends on the timely completion of assignments, adhering to deadlines, and actively participating in Discussion Forums.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Additional documents are required within the Modules and links to files or internet sites are provided within each Module.

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

No testing will be used for this course. Grades rely on the completion of assignments, projects, and discussions.

Grading Procedures:

A specific number of points may be earned for each assignment. Points are indicated on assignment guidelines. The course grade is determined by accumulated points.

Grading Scale:

Graduate TELC 5006

 # of AssignmentsPoints
Written Assignments10815
Discussion Forums7@50pts350
 Total1165
GradePercentPoints
A90-100%1048-1165
B80-89%932-1047
C70-79%815-931
D60-69%699-814
FBelow 60%Below 698

Undergraduate TELC 4006

 # of AssignmentsPoints
Written Assignments10605
Discussion Forums6@50pts300
 Total905
GradePercentPoints
A90-100%814-905
B80-89%724-813
C70-79%633-723
D60-69%543-632
FBelow 60%Below 542
Assignments and Projects:

See Assignment Chart found on either the homepage or on the link from the course menu of D2L for a compiled list of assignments and due dates. See individual Modules for assignment descriptions and rubrics.

Class Participation:

Each student must actively participate in Module Discussion Forums. Due to the nature of the online learning environment, the Discussion Forums act as an avenue for dialog, sharing, exploration and reflection. Forums will be evaluated by utilizing the Online Discussion Forum Rubric. Access a copy from the link from the course menu or from the assignment grading rubrics from Module 1.

Late Policy:

Students are required to adhere to assignment due dates, which are provided when each assignment is released. Although assignments will be accepted late (within one week of due date only)

  • 2 points will be subtracted for each day a discussion forum initial or final posting is late, and
  • 5 points will be deducted each day for all other assignments

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on April 28, 2017