Professionalism, Science/Math Ed Minor, Cases, Intro to Constructivism

1. Professionalism, Science/Math Ed Minor, Cases,Intro to Constructivism

2. Professionalism • As a volunteer, you represent yourself, UF, the College of Education & TDS • You need to present yourself as a professional educator; NOT a student

3. Professionalism-Key Issues • Punctuality & Reliability • Attire • Present yourself as a professional • NO jeans, t-shirts, flip flops • Dress conservatively • Relationships with students • Language • Facebook & other web-based material • If you are not sure about a conduct issue, talk to TDS!

4. Math/Sci Ed Minors • Developed originally through the HHMI-UF Science for Life Program; New support from Florida Teach • 18 credit hour program • Includes course work & field placements (local HS & MS) • Prepares participants for Math or Science Teaching Certification (grades 6-12) • All science & math majors are eligible for the program

5. Curricular Elements • EDG 4930 (MAE 2364): Explorations • RED 3312: Reading in content areas • MAE XXXX: Knowing & learning in math & science • SCE 4360: Sec. Science Teaching I MAE 4320: Middle school Math methods • SCE 4363: Sec. Science Teaching II MAE 4330: Seconday math methods • MAE 4941: Practicum in teaching science & math

6. What do I do next? • Take the other “prereq courses” whenever possible • 1) Reading Course (RED 3312) • 2) Knowing & Lrng in Math & Science (MAEXXXX) • 3) If #2 is not developed in time, consider an alternative elective: • TSL 4320: ESOL Strategies for Content Area Teachers • SCE 4342: Environmental Education Methods • EDF 3110: Human Growth and Development • EDF 3132: The Young Adolescent • EDF 3135: The Adolescent • EDF 3210: Educational Psychology • EDF 3214: Learning and Cognition in Education

7. Next… • Complete the math/science ed sequence over: • Methods I (fall) • SCE 4360 or MAE 4320 • Methods II (spring) • SCE 4363 or MAE 4330 • Practicum- MAE 4941 (summer A)

8. Questions??? • General information: • COE Office of Student Services/Student Advising: Norman G416 • Math Ed • Dr. Pape: spape@coe.ufl.edu • Science Ed • Dr. Sadler: tsadler@coe.ufl.edu

9. The Minor doesn’t work for me... What are my options • Science PROTEACH • 12 month certification/master’s program • Contact: Dr. Linda Cronin Jones with questions: lcjones@coe.ufl.edu

10. Chapter 1-Case book • What is a teaching case? Why are cases useful for teacher education? • What do the authors mean by the following contrasts: • Thoughtful practice v. “tricks of the trade” • Education v. training • Technical reflection v. critical reflection (pp. 7-8) • Are cases in this book designed to show you what you should do as a teacher? If not, why are they useful? (p. 10)

11. Case 2.3 • Comments, questions…

12. Thinking about thinking… • A group of children who think the world is flat… • A teacher tells the children that the earth is round. What do the children envision? • Earth like a pancake • A teacher tells the children that the earth is a round sphere? • The pancake is on or in a sphere Vosnaidou & Brewer, 1989

13. How do people come to know things? • What are some metaphors for learning?

14. Constructivism • A theory for explaining how individuals come to gain knowledge. • Individuals actively construct their understandings. Resulting constructions are dependent on pre-existing ideas. • Individuals are NOT passive recipients of knowledge.

15. Constructivism is NOT • An instructional strategy • Equivalent to: • Hands-on learning • Discovery learning • Student centered

16. Constructivism is a theory that helps explain learning. While learning theory can influence how we think about instruction, it does not necessarily prescribe a particular mode of teaching.