ECH 331 Child Centered Environments

This is a Web-based course taught by Lori M. Harkness.

Instructor Contact Information 

Lori M. Harkness, M. Ed. email: lharkness@sfasu.edu (936) 468-4006

Course Description
ECH 331 is a study of child-centered environments including an in depth look at learning centers with an emphasis on preview and review of learning center activities, daily schedules, and room arrangements.Prerequisites: successful completion of HMS 241, HMS 241 L, HMS 242, ECH 328, and ECH 328 L. Students must maintain a 2.5 or better GPA and be admitted into Teacher Education.Work submitted late receives no points.

Textbook Requirement
1. Bickart, T., Jablon J., Dodge, & D., Kohn, E. (1999).Building the primary classroom.  Teaching Strategies. ISBN 1-879537-38-9.
2. Dodge, D., Coker, L., and Heroman, C. (2002). The creative curriculum for preschool.  Fourth Edition, Teaching Strategies. ISBN 1-401-82024-7.
3. Copley. Juanita V. The young child and mathematics. ISBN 0-935989-97-8.
4. Ruby K Payne, Ph. D. Framework for understanding poverty. aha Process Inc! Fourth Edition(revised). ISBN 1-929229-48-8.
5. Learning centers Activity Packet. SFA Printing.

Course Prerequisites
Successful completion of HMS 241, HMS 241 L, HMS 242,  ECH 328, and ECH 328 L.  Students must maintain a 2.5 or better GPA and be admitted into Teacher Education.

Course Format and Participation Requirements
The format for this course includes scheduled assignments and deadlines, offline reading assignments and projects, online readings and participation using web pages, email, discussion boards, and chat. The course includes scheduled online quizzes and exams. In addition, students are required to arrange local visits to an elementary school and secure classrooms to set up learning centers. All exams are online To be successful in this course, the typical student should plan to spend at least 12-15 hours per week working on this course.

On-campus or Face-to-Face Meeting Requirements
Meets 2 days on-campus in conjunction with ECH 331 Lab.

Course Assessment
Teacher candidates will be assessed using rubrics, quizzes, and exams. The professor will rate assignments based on the learner's ability to intelligently convey his or her understanding of content, using model writing skills.Grades will be assigned according to the quality of work.Candidates will not receive a final course grade until ALL assignments are completed and submitted to the professor. LATE WORK RECEIVES NO CREDIT. The following grading scale will be used in determining the candidate's final grade:

A = 90 -100%
B = 80 - 89%
C = 70 - 79%
D = 60 - 69%
F = 59% or below

Effort Expected
This is a 3-credit-hour course. To be successful in this course you should expect to spend about 3 hours a week on readings, assignments, discussions, and other activities. This estimate is for the fall and spring semesters; if the course is offered during the summer course, more time per week may be necessary.

Technical Requirements for the Course
Other than the minimum technical requirements for any course, students will need access to a digital camera, PowerPoint software, and Real Player software.

Before the Course Begins

Activate mySFA username, password, and email

Register and pay for the course just as you would any other SFA course.

As soon as you are registered, please send an email message to the instructor.

F-1 Visa Holders
There are important federal regulations pertaining to distance education activity for F-1 Visa holders. All students with an F-1 Visa should follow the instructions at the following link to make sure they are in compliance.
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/f1visa.html

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