Syllabus for: ECE 9 - Observation and Assessment in Early ...

Syllabus for: ECE 9 - Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood EducationSemester & Year: Fall 2012Course ID and Section Number: ECE 9 K3188Number of Credits/Units: 3Day/Time:Location:Instructor’s Name: Lea NagyContact Information: Office location and hours: By arrangementPhone:707 845-3233Email:leanagy@yahoo.comCourse Description (catalog description as described in course outline):Thursdays 5:40 to 9:10pmCollege of the Redwoods - Klamath Trinity Instructional SiteA focus on the appropriate use of assessment and observation strategies to documentdevelopment, growth, play and learning to join with families and professionals inpromoting children’s success. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, andmultiple assessment tools are explored.Student Learning Outcomes (as described in course outline) :1. Critically compare the purpose, value and use of formal and informal observation andassessment strategies and ethical implications within cultural and social contexts inearly childhood settings..2. Describe and evaluate the characteristics, strengths and limitations of commonassessment tools with all children’s developmental, cultural and linguisticcharacteristics.3. Demonstrate systematic observation methods to provide data to assess the impact ofthe environment, interactions and curriculum on all domains of children’s learning anddevelopment.4. Assess the value of partnerships with families and other professionals in utilizinginterpretations of observational data to inform teaching responses and strategies.5. Embed activities related to assessment within play-based environments, curriculumand care routines for typically and atypically developing children.6. Critically compare the purpose, value and use of formal and informal observation andassessment strategies and ethical implications within cultural and social contexts inearly childhood settings.Syllabus insert.doc

Special accommodations:College of the Redwoods complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in makingreasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Please present yourwritten accommodation request at least one week before the first test so that necessaryarrangements can be made. No last-minute arrangements or post-test adjustments will bemade. If you have a disability or believe you might benefit from disability related services andmay need accommodations, please see me or contact Disabled Students Programs andServices. Students may make requests for alternative media by contacting DSPS.Academic Misconduct:Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, abuse of resource materials, computer misuse, fabrication orfalsification, multiple submissions, complicity in academic misconduct, and/ or bearing falsewitness will not be tolerated. Violations will be dealt with according to the procedures andsanctions proscribed by the College of the Redwoods. Students caught plagiarizing or cheatingon exams will receive an “F” in the course.The student code of conduct is available on the College of the Redwoods website at:http://www.redwoods.edu/District/Board/New/Chapter5/Ap5500.pdfCollege of the Redwoods is committed to equal opportunity in employment, admission to thecollege, and in the conduct of all of its programs and activities.Syllabus insert.doc

College of the Redwoods Klamath Trinity Branch CampusECE 9 - Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood EducationThursdays 5:40 to 9:10 Fall 2012Lea Nagy Phone: (707) 845-3233leanagy@yahoo.com Offices Hours by ArrangementCourse Description: A focus on the appropriate use of assessment andobservation strategies to document development, growth, play and learningto join with families and professionals in promoting children’s success.Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessmenttools are explored.College level reading and writing are requited for the students to understand courseconcepts and complete course assignments.Course Learning Outcomes:1. Critically compare the purpose, value and use of formal and informal observation andassessment strategies and ethical implications within cultural and social contexts inearly childhood settings..2. Describe and evaluate the characteristics, strengths and limitations of commonassessment tools with all children’s developmental, cultural and linguisticcharacteristics.3. Demonstrate systematic observation methods to provide data to assess the impact ofthe environment, interactions and curriculum on all domains of children’s learning anddevelopment.4. Assess the value of partnerships with families and other professionals in utilizinginterpretations of observational data to inform teaching responses and strategies.5. Embed activities related to assessment within play-based environments, curriculumand care routines for typically and atypically developing children.6. Critically compare the purpose, value and use of formal and informal observation andassessment strategies and ethical implications within cultural and social contexts inearly childhood settings.Concepts:1. Position statements of key groups including NABE and NAEYC regardingassessment and documentation.2. Basic quantitative and qualitative observation and recording techniques.Syllabus insert.doc

3. Historic and currently recognized current state and widely-used assessment tools andprocesses.4. Knowledge of developmental domains to interpretations of observations.5. The role that observation and assessment play in intervention.Issues:1. Involving families and other professionals in the observation and assessment processfor all children.2. Knowledge of developmental domains when dealing with difference, delays, anddisorders.Themes:1. Knowledge of the legal and ethical responsibilities, including confidentiality related toassessment in early childhood settings.2. Logistical challenges, biases and preconceptions about assessing children.3. The effect of social context, child’s state of health and well-being, primary language,ability and environment on assessment processes. 1. Knowledge of the legal andethical responsibilities, including confidentiality related to assessment in early childhoodsettings.2. Logistical challenges, biases and preconceptions about assessing children.3. The effect of social context, child’s state of health and well-being, primary language,ability and environment on assessment processes.Skills:1. Observation tools to identify patterns, trends and anomalies in individuals and groupsof children (e.g., DRDP-R, Ages and States).2. Observation tools to identify quality in play-based environment, curriculum, and careroutines (e.g., ECERS-R, ELLCO).3. Observation and assessment to implement curriculum and environmental changes insupport of both group and individual needs.Course Text: Through The Looking Glass by Nicolson, ISBN# 0-13-042080-8,Edition 3 , PublisherOther readings and assignments will include library research, materials passed outin class and other audio visual materials presented in classsessions.Syllabus insert.doc

Course AssignmentsClass JournalAll SemesterYou will be keeping a journal. You may be asked to write in your journal aboutspecific topics inside and outside of class. In some cases you might be asked toreflect on a reading, a video, or an observation of a parent and child interaction.Other times you will be responding to what has happened or been presented inclass. I will read your journals weekly and write responses to your entries. Feelfree to use your journals to ask me questions or give me suggestions or justshare your feelings with me. Journal entries must reflect thought anddemonstrate an integration of class material into your own experiences. If youare not in class on the day the journal assignment is given you may not make itup…this is an in class activity. Journals are given a +, - , or a 0 grade. The plussign indicates critical thought, the minus sign shows a lack of analysis of thetopic and a 0 means you tried but could do much better with your answer,perhaps you were a little hasty with your answer.Class ParticipationAll semesterYour active attendance and participation in this class is an important part ofthe learning process. You will need to be involved in small class activities,large group activities, discussions, and have prompt arrival to class with allyour materials. Behavior which does not distract others is important…., no cellphones, and your attention to class is vital to your participation in ECE 9.Content Review Questions Last class period of each monthContent review questions will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrateand clarify your understanding of the concepts covered in the text and in theclassroom. You will be given content review questions every four weeks and thesewill be completed in class (part of the 500 word essay requirement for all ECEclasses).Child Portfolio:You will be asked to select two children of different ages in the program you areworking in and formulate a portfolio for the children you select. You must includea variety of methods and projects to document the child’s development and playexploration during the semester. Your final portfolio is due in class on December6 th . No late portfolios will be accepted.Syllabus insert.doc

Curriculum Analysis and Comparisons:Describe at least 3 different curriculums for the preschool child and compare theirstrengths and weaknesses. You will need to state your thoughts about each ofthese curriculums and which ones you would choose to implement and why youfeel the curriculum is appropriate for the young child. Your paper must be at least500 words, double spaced and typed. Due on Thursday, Nov. 15 th . No late paperswill be accepted.Field Experience Labs:You will be required to complete child observations on a weekly basis using thevarious methods of observation and assessment. You will be asked to criticallycompare the use of formal and informal observations and assessment strategies andtheir strengths and weakness in helping you describe and evaluate the youngchild’s development. There will be a total of 8 observation assignments thissemester. These observations need to be performed in a quality child care program.Due Weekly at class sessions.Final Essay (Specific Learning Objective for ECE 6) Due Dec.6thYou will be asked to write an essay which will be selected from the course learningoutcomes . The learning outcome will be announced in advance.Assignments must be typed and no late papers will be accepted after the duedate assigned.This syllabus is subject to change. You will be notified of any changes in writing.Course Grade*96 to 100 = A90 to 95 = A-86 to 89 = B+83 to 85 = B80 to 82 = B-76 to 79 = C+70 to 75 = C60 to 69 = D0 to 59 = FSyllabus insert.doc

*Please remember that Community Care Licensing and the Commission onTeacher Credentialing only accept grades of “C” or better. Although a “D” gradeis considered passing, it will not meet the requirements to be a fully qualified Title22 program director or to earn a Child Development Permit.Campus E-ResourcesThrough the College of the Redwoods Learning Resource Center you have accessto NetLibrary for on-line books and to several databases for journal articles. Thesewill be tremendous resources to you in completing course work. Go tohttp://www.redwoods.edu/eureka/library for log in instructions to these sites.Academic DishonestyCollege of the Redwoods’ Student Code of Conduct applies to online students aswell as on campus students. Please familiarize yourself with the policy by going tohttp://www.redwoods.edu/District/Board/Policies/AR50501.HtmPay special attention to APPENDIX A – Statement on Academic Integrity.Services for Students with DisabilitiesThe primary function of the DSPS Office is to accommodate a student's disablingcondition and empower that individual to successfully participate in theeducational experience at College of the Redwoods. If you have a diagnoseddisability, or think that you may have a disability, please contact Disabled StudentsPrograms and Services at 707.476.4280 or TTY at 707.476.4284 or on the web athttp://www.redwoods.edu/district/dsps/welcome/asp.DisclaimerBecause education is a journey involving people with varying needs, this syllabusisSyllabus insert.doc