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Mathematics and Science Education:
Theory and Practice for Learning Assistants
EDCI488D
College of Education
University of Maryland, College Park
Class time and location: Wednesday 5:00-7:45 PM, Room: Physics Building Room 1305f (Toll Room)
Instructor: Dr. Chandra Turpen
Contact Information:
E-mail: turpen@umd.edu Office: Physics Building, Rm 1312
(Office hours as requested)
Contact information for other educators/researchers visiting periodically:
Gina Quan email: ginaquan@berkeley.edu
Course Description
The course is designed for students serving as Learning Assistants in physics, astronomy, and biology courses. This course will use our experiences in the classroom to refine our theories of education and teaching practice. This course will touch on ideas central to facilitating learning such as issues of conceptual development, conceptual change, collaborative learning and students' conceptions of various topics in science, as well as engaging in formative assessment and responsive teaching. This is a seminar course where students are responsible for weekly readings, in-class discussions, reflections and projects which are coordinated with students' Learning Assistant field experiences. Course details and course readings will be updated here.
This course is intended to help you learn to…
- Draw on students’ prior knowledge or intuitive knowledge in learning science,
- Begin to develop facility with formative assessment practices,
- Develop routines for reflecting critically on your own teaching,
- Synthesize classroom experiences with central ideas from education research, and
- Investigate teaching and learning systematically and scientifically.
Course Expectations
Intellectual curiosity and tolerance: Be open to new ideas; Ask questions when you’re not sure you understand; Reflect on what you are learning; Try thinking about things in new ways.
Analytic thinking: Look for hidden assumptions in readings; Compare and contrast perspectives; Check ideas against your own experience; Notice inconsistencies in arguments; Entertain counter-arguments.
Effort: Complete readings before class; Give careful thought to writing assignments; Proofread writing before turning it in; Participate in discussions.
Discussion: Share your thoughts; Listen carefully to the thoughts your peers share; Be respectful towards other students’ ideas, especially when you disagree; Participate in discussions and small group tasks; Address your comments and questions to each other as much as to the instructor; Learn from each other.
Additional Links:
Course Schedule & Readings
Description of Course Assignments
Astr100/101 LA Teaching Assignments
Phys131 LA Teaching Assignments
Phys132 LA Teaching Assignments
Relevant University Policies
Fall 2014 Snack Sharing
Download a PDF of the course syllabus here: EDCI488D Course Syllabus Fall 2014
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