ECED 2140 - Clinical Practicum II

Course Syllabus

ECED 2140: Clinical Practicum II

Volunteer State Community College
Fall, 2004

INSTRUCTOR: Debbie Roddy Meeting Dates: Saturday’s

Office- TTU-Jere Whitson 201 8:30-11:30

TELEPHONE: (931) 372-6561 Sept 11, 25; Oct. 16

FAX: (931) 372-6562 Nov. 13, Dec. 4

Description: Supervised clinical experience with a minimum of 15 clock hours in seminar and 45 clock hours in an approved Clinical Site. Course includes emphasis on using reflective practice to examine components of quality, set goals, and design a plan for growth for the early childhood educator of children aged birth to nine. Pre-requisite: ECED 1010, 2010, 2040, 2130 or Department Approval.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Know about and use tools for assessing early childhood components of quality including: equipment and materials, program structure, activities and experiences, interactions, and cultural sensitivity.

2. Use reflective practice to examine components of quality, set goals, and design a plan for professional growth that supports children’s development, learning, and well-being.

3. Know about and use appropriate methods to stimulate play, exploration and learning during child selected experiences

4. Know about and use appropriate supervision and guidance techniques during play.

5. Demonstrate awareness of and commitment to the profession’s Code of Ethical Conduct.

Textbook: The What, Why, and How of High-Quality Early Childhood Education: A Guide for On-Site Supervision (Rev. ed)

Supplemental Materials: Environmental Rating Scales-Infant-Toddler, Early Childhood, School-Age, & Family Child Care; Tennessee Licensing Standards; and lending library resource books and journal articles.

Major Course Areas:

Professionalism in the early childhood clinical setting and using the Code of Ethical Conduct
The Apprentice/Mentee role
Tools for assessing the learning environment in the infant toddler, preschool, School age, and family child care settings
Self-assessment/goal setting and designing a plan for implementing professional goals
Teacher-Child interactions to support learning and development

Major Course Requirements:

1. Seminar Attendance/Participation on scheduled dates. The seminar meetings will provide opportunities to discuss readings, explore approaches to self-evaluation and goal planning, and have peer collaboration and support. Attendance at participation in the seminar meeting is required. Participation grade will be a part of the self evaluation and goal setting /Teacher Interactions Project

Attendance-MANDATORY

Any absence will result in two letter grade drop and more than one absence will result in an Incomplete or Withdrawn (see below)

Attendance Policy:

1. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.

2. If an absence is unavoidable due to illness or death in the immediate family, the student is expected to give an explanation to the instructor. This is considered an excused absence.

3. Any absences during the course may, at the instructor’s discretion affect a student’s final grade

4. Absences will affect the grade on participation for the class.

5. Class will start on time. Late arrival will result in point taken off the class participation grade.

6. When a student is absent, he/she is responsible for the content of the class missed and any assignments given.

2. Focus on Teacher/Child Interactions, including instructor observation, audio recordings of teacher interactions, self-assessment, designing goals for improvement, and documentation of accomplishments in the area of teacher/child interactions.

3. Textbook and other assigned readings

4. Practicum/Clinical Site Experience with a Mentor (45 hours). During this experience students will keep a journal of experiences and reflections, complete an observation tool (Clinical Site Observation Guide), and collect documentation of quality. The observation guide provides a format for systematically observing indicators of high quality early childhood practice. Completing this guide also gives the opportunity for the student to reflect on his/her own professional practice, identify strengths, and set goals for making desired changes. College faculty will make arrangements for this experience. Students MUST complete 45 documented hours in the clinical site in order to receive credit for this course.

Grading Criteria: Total 550 Points

Clinical Site Experience (See attached instructions and grading criteria)

1. Clinical Site Observation Guide 50 points

2. Clinical Site Documentation 50 points

3. Clinical Site Schedule 25 points

4. Mentor Comment Form 25 points

5. Clinical Site Log and Journal 100 points

6. Self-Evaluation and Goal Setting 50 points

Teacher Interaction Project (see attached instructions and grading criteria)

1. Instructor Observation 100 points

2. Student Audio Recording and Self-Assessment 50 points

3. Observation of Another Teacher 50 points

4. Self-Evaluation and Goal Setting 50 points

Grading Scale:

Grades reflect student progress in course content on a four-point system as follows:

Total Possible points-550

90% - 100% = A (Superior) 495-550 = A

80% - 89% = B (Excellent) 440-494 = B

70% - 79% = C (Average) 385-439 = C

60% - 69% = D (Passing, but below average) 330-384 = D

Below 60% is an F (Failure) elow 330 = F

In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, it is the students’ responsibility to contact their instructors concerning any special accommodations required for the completion of course requirements.

Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action Educational Institution. No person shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age or handicap.