Class Observation

Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday of Unit 7 Points: 100

Overview: In the first unit of the course, we discussed what it means to be an intentional teacher and some of the qualities that intentional teachers possess. Throughout the course, we have tied all of the theories and course topics to the practice of intentional teaching. For this course project, you will choose one of the project options – Teacher Spotlight Interview or Classroom Observation – and incorporate the many concepts and theories that we have discussed throughout the course into your final reflection.

Project Options: Select one (1) project option – Teacher Spotlight Interview or Classroom Observation – and see the instructions and requirements listed for them below: Option #1 – Teacher Spotlight Interview: For this project option, you will interview a teacher that you believe espouses many qualities of an intentional teacher. This can be a teacher from your past, one of your children’s teachers, a teacher you work with, or perhaps even a teacher in your community that you have heard great things about. You might even want to contact your local district and inquire who last year’s “Teacher of the Year” was if you aren’t sure where to start for selecting your interviewee. For your interview, use the Teacher Spotlight Interview Form provided to help plan and guide your questioning. Option #2 – Classroom Observation:

For this project option, you will make arrangements to observe a teacher conducting a classroom lesson (minimum of 45 minutes). This lesson can be any age group. For your classroom observation, use the Classroom Observation Form provided to help guide your notetaking as you observe.

Instructions: Both final project options must contain the following elements:

• Teacher Spotlight Interview Form OR Classroom Observation Form: Include the completed form that corresponds with your project.

PSY260 – Educational Psychology

Final Course Project

• Reflection Paper: In your Reflection Paper, summarize the interview responses/classroom observations you experienced. Make course connections by tying these responses/observations to the theories, concepts, and practices that we have discussed throughout the course. Include your key takeaways from the interview/observation and a discussion of which theories most strongly drive the practices of the teacher you have interviewed/observed. Elaborate on these course connections.

An example: If the teacher states that they use a Token Economy system in their class to increase student motivation, you would then discuss Skinner’s Operant Conditioning and Extrinsic Motivation as well. These are both theories and concepts that were discussed in the course that inform this teacher’s intentional practice of the use of Token Economies.

• Three (3) Scholary Sources: Be sure to cite your references throughout your paper.

Requirements:

• The body of your reflection paper must consist of at least five (5) full pages with additional title and reference pages, double-spaced with one-inch margins.

• Use at least three (3) scholarly sources in your work and include all reference citations in correct APA formatting. You may use your textbook as one scholarly reference. Your paper must be formatted according to APA guidelines.

• Use complete sentences and appropriate grammar and spelling. Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.

Evaluation Rubric for Final Course Project

CRITERIA Deficient Development Needed Satisfactory Proficient

Teacher Spotlight Interview or Classroom Observation Form Included

0-11 points 12-15 points 16-17 points 18-20 points

Required form is not included with project submission or information is minimal.

Required form is included but lacking much of the required information.

Required form is included with most of the required information.

Required form is included with all required information.

Reflection Paper

0-20 points 21-27 points 28-31 points 32-35 points

Reflection paper topics are minimally or not addressed. Opinions are offered, but arguments lack important information from scholarly sources. No specific details are provided, or a few specific details are provided, but they lack relevance. Project does not provide connections to the major concepts of the course.

Reflection paper topics are somewhat addressed. Arguments are partially supported by information from scholarly sources and only contain a few specific and relevant details. Project provides connections to a few of the major concepts of the course.

Reflection paper topics are fairly well addressed. Arguments could be further elaborated with scholarly sources and relevant specific details. Project provides connections to a variety of the course concepts, though a few major concepts were missed or lacking detail.

Reflection paper topics are thoroughly addressed. Arguments are well elaborated and fully supported by scholarly sources and relevant specific examples. Project provides clear connections to a wide variety of the major course concepts and shows clear evidence that the course materials were reviewed and understood.

Resources 0-5 points 6-7 points 8 points 9-10 points

Required amount of resources was not used, or none of the resources were from appropriate sources.

Required amount of resources was used, but two were not from an appropriate source.

Required amount of resources was used, but one was not from an appropriate source.

At least three scholarly resources were used from appropriate sources.

Structure and Flow 0-5 points 6-7 points 8 points 9-10 points

Flow is poor. Paragraphing is inappropriate. Transitions are minimal or absent. Significant redundancy is evident.

Flow is adequate. Paragraphs may be too long or too short. Transitions are minimal, and redundancy is evident.

Flow is good. Paragraphing is mostly appropriate. Transitions are present, and redundancies are minimal.

Flow is excellent. Paragraphing is clear, and transitions are smooth and consistent. Inappropriate redundancies are absent.

CRITERIA Deficient Development Needed Satisfactory Proficient

APA Citations 0-5 points 6-7 points 8 points 9-10 points

APA citations are not included or have significant errors.

APA citations are included but contain numerous errors.

APA citations are included, with minor errors.

APA citations are included and are correct.

Length Requirements

0-5 points 6-7 points 8 points 9-10 points

Body of paper is less than four pages in length. Margin and line spacing requirements may not be followed.

Body of paper is four to five pages in length, but margin and line spacing requirements are not followed.

Body of paper is four pages in length, with one-inch margins, and line spacing is double-spaced.

Body of paper is at least five full pages in length, with one- inch margins, and line spacing is double-spaced.

Clear and Professional Writing and Format

0-2 points 3 points 4 points 5 points

Significant errors impede professional presentation.

Numerous errors somewhat interfere with professional presentation.

Few errors that do not impede professional presentation.

Writing and format are clear, professional, and error-free.