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COURSE SYLLABUS

  • SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS


    Intended for students enrolling in Advanced Curriculum Design and Assessment, this syllabus contains information specific to the course. It is a definitive record of the course's primary characteristics and the learning outcomes that a typical student can reasonably be expected to achieve if they take full advantage of the available learning opportunities. This document also serves as a reference for academic and support staff, internal and external examiners, and for future course monitoring and review.


    COURSE AT A GLANCE


    Course Title

    Advanced Curriculum Design and Assessment


    Subject Area

    Education


    Course Code

    EDUC 71022


    Course Level

    Graduate


    Credits

    4.0


    Prerequisites

    EDUC 71021


    Methods of Delivery

    Face-to-face

    Online


    Expected Length

    5.0 Weeks


    Class Meetings

    Dependent on the choice made during enrollment


    Faculty

    Nicholas Bishop

    Nicholas.Bishop@TheAUS.us


    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY


    Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.


    TEXT(S)


    Text 1: DC

    Title: Developing the Curriculum

    Author(s): William R. Gordon, Rosemarye T. Taylor, and Peter F. Oliva

    Edition: 9th

    ISBN: 9780137525294


    Text 2: CA

    Title: Classroom Assessment: Principles and Practice that Enhance Student Learning and Motivation

    Author(s): James H. McMillan

    Edition: 7th

    ISBN: 9780134523309


  • SYNOPSIS


    The course aims to equip individuals with the specialist knowledge and skills to engage effectively with all stakeholders who are interested in and affected by the design of a language learning syllabus. The connections between current curriculum design issues and academic leadership are also brought into focus. Furthermore, the interrelated and multifarious dimensions of assessment and its uses in education and instructional decision-making are explored. Additionally, students learn to apply knowledge acquired from available data sources to real-world curriculum design problems.


    LEARNING OUTCOMES


    Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:


    • Demonstrate an understanding of practices that promote the success of all students.

    • Apply the necessary knowledge and skills to design and implement a language learning curriculum.

    • Demonstrate the competencies necessary to provide an effective instructional program.

    • Evaluate a program’s effectiveness through federal, state, and local assessment and program evaluation tools.

    • Demonstrate an ability to provide a comprehensive professional development plan for staff.

    • Evaluate instructional materials as a member of a team.

    • Identify and utilize the basic principles of assessment and examine how they relate to international, national, state, and local tests.

    • Apply test theory and design to a specific situation.

    • Develop an instructional program to address specific learner needs.

    • Examine the role of assessment in settings where some students might be at a disadvantage.

    • Apply knowledge of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and COMPASS evaluation requirements to assessment-related problems.

    • Identify, describe, and evaluate underlying principles of T.E.S.O.L. curriculum development and assessment practices.

    • Determine the implications of various T.E.S.O.L. curriculum design and assessment approaches for one's own teaching situation.

    • Evaluate some available contemporary research on T.E.S.O.L. curriculum and assessment issues.

  • WEEK 1


    Module 1

    Theoretical Dimensions in Curriculum Development

    Reference(s): DC Ch1-2


    Module 2

    Role of Personnel in Curriculum Development

    Reference(s): DC Ch3-4


    Module 3

    Components of Curriculum System Development Process I

    Reference(s): DC Ch5-6


    WEEK 2


    Module 4

    Components of Curriculum System Development Process II

    Reference(s): DC Ch7-8


    Module 5

    Curriculum Implementation

    Reference(s): DC Ch9-10


    Module 6

    Evaluation of Effectiveness and Trends in Digital Curriculum and Instruction

    Reference(s): DC Ch11-13


    WEEK 3


    Module 7

    Advanced T.E.S.O.L. Curriculum Design and Assessment I

    Reference(s): N/A


    Module 8

    High-Quality Classroom Assessment

    Reference(s): CA Ch1-3


    Module 9

    Formative and Summative Assessments

    Reference(s): CA Ch4-7


    WEEK 4


    Module 10

    Selected-Response and Constructed-Response Assessments

    Reference(s): CA Ch8-9


    Module 11

    Performance Assessment and Portfolios

    Reference(s): CA Ch10-11


    Module 12

    Assessing “Noncognitive” Dispositions and Skills

    Reference(s): CA Ch12


    WEEK 5


    Module 13

    Assessment for Students with Exceptional Needs and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

    Reference(s): CA Ch13-14


    Module 14

    Grading and Reporting Student Performance

    Reference(s): CA Ch15


    Module 15

    Advanced T.E.S.O.L. Curriculum Design and Assessment II

    Reference(s): N/A


  • PROFESSIONALISM


    WEIGHT: 10.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 6

    All students are expected to participate in all types of classroom activities. Regular attendance is required since this results in more opportunities to participate in classroom activities. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in class, but rather overall quality of contributions to discussions.

    Students are encouraged to exchange contact information and provide support to one another if a class is missed. They are advised to contact the course instructor if concerned about attendance or in need of additional information on any assignment.


    PRACTICAL RESEARCH PROJECT I


    WEIGHT: 20.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 4

    General Information

    This must be two to four pages (approximately five hundred to one thousand words), not including references and title pages, and appendix. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered, focusing on the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. The deadline to submit this assessment is on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 4. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and thoroughly edit their work before attempting the graded assessment.


    Description

    Part I: create a classroom-based formative assessment targeting the listening and speaking skills of your “tutee” in your “Applied Linguistics” course. Write an assessment objective and describe assessment strategies. (1-2 pages).

    Part II: create a classroom based formative assessment targeting reading and writing skills of your “tutee” in your “Applied Linguistics” course. Write an assessment objective and describe assessment strategies. (1-2 pages).


    PRACTICAL RESEARCH PROJECT II


    WEIGHT: 35.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 6

    Summative Assessment Design


    General Information

    This must be eight to twelve pages (approximately two to three thousand words), not including references and title pages, and appendix. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over six weeks, focusing on the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. The deadline to submit this assessment is on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 6. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and thoroughly edit their work before attempting the graded assessment.


    Description

    Students design a summative assessment for their prospective students.


    They should focus on the following:

    • Assessing the multiple macro and micro skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

    • Fulfilling the purpose of the assessment (e.g. unit test, final exam, exit exam, presentation).

    • Using clear language.

    • Avoiding bias, misrepresentation, error, and culturally irrelevant verbiage or examples.

    • Meeting Brown's five principles of assessment - practicality, authenticity, validity, reliability,

    • Avoiding inclusion of evaluation material such as rubrics and answer keys.


    PRACTICAL RESEARCH PROJECT III


    WEIGHT: 35.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 6

    Final Curriculum Design Project


    General Information

    This must be eight to twelve pages (approximately two to three thousand words), not including references and title pages, and appendix. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over six weeks, focusing on the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. The deadline to submit this assessment is on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 6. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and thoroughly edit their work before attempting the graded assessment.


    Description

    For the final curriculum design project, students choose one level and one subject and develop the following:


    • A set of five Graduation Goals for all students

    • A set of five Subject Goals (upon graduation) for all students

    • (Optional, but suggested) A set of strands for your subject area (outcome areas for K-12 for your subject)

    • A set of Annual Goals for your subject and grade (organized by strand, if applicable). These must be observable and must be associated with a description of what would be considered acceptable evidence of attainment.

    • A chronologically ordered curriculum map of the units (title, description, length, and goals for each)

    • A detailed plan for one unit, including:

    • An overall description of the unit, which must include:

    • Unit goals and evidence that will be accepted as proof of attainment

    • Essential questions

    • Description of instructional experiences

    • Plan for assessing unit goals

    • A lesson plan for one lesson in the unit

    • A reflection that includes a description of principles you used to design the instructional experiences

  • PARTICIPATION POLICY


    Please be sure to review the following important information about the University Policies and Procedures.


    All students must participate in all classroom activities, attend classes regularly, and prepare before classes for classroom activities that require advance preparation. Students need to fully appreciate that good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation, which, in turn, results in a more thorough acquisition of subject knowledge and higher participation grades.

    Participation in classroom discussions indicates that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in the classroom but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.

    If a student is unable to attend 3 or more classes, he/she may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete the course.


    Mode of Attendance


    For the portion of the course that takes place over Microsoft Teams:


    Students are required to arrive on time and engage appropriately with their fellow students, their teacher(s) and course materials. They must attend with a functional web camera and microphone, have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed on their computers, avoid attending via a mobile phone or web browser, and have all necessary materials to hand. Also, their cameras must be always switched on, except for occasions when privacy becomes a necessity. In addition, they must be appropriately attired, attend in an environment that will not distract them, their fellow students or their teacher(s), especially avoiding attending while in a vehicle, whether moving or stationary.


    For the on-campus portion of the course:


    The mandatory on-campus session meets as per the AUS Campus schedule. Good attendance is required to earn credits and pass the course. Students cannot arrive late or leave early. Students traveling from afar must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class. No exceptions can be granted.


    Classroom Expectations


    Classes start and end on time, with late entry or reentry allowed only under exceptional circumstances. All phones and electronic devices must be turned off.


    GRADING


    The expectation is that students read assigned materials prior to class. Class discussions are based on their reading of these materials and their reflections on what they have learned and how these relate to their experiences. Assignments are intended to encourage students’ exploration, reflection on and synthesis of assigned topics and course discussions.

    Assessments are listed in the course syllabus and are due by the stipulated deadlines.

    No assessment will be accepted after the day following the day it is due. If an assessment submission is one day late late, it will receive an automatic reduction in grade of one letter, for example, from an A to a B. After that, no late work will be accepted, and the student will receive an F grade for the assessment.

    Submission of late papers must be approved in advance. Late final papers will not be accepted.


    ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY


    Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use sources responsibly. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students are asked to visit the course RESM 50011: Fundamentals of Graduate Research Reading and Writing to review important information on academic citation and referencing rules.


    ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES POLICY


    The University is committed to providing an accessible academic community. The Disability Services (DS) is responsible for providing accommodations to students with disabilities. Students must request accommodations or adjustments through the DS. Instructors cannot grant accommodation requests without prior DS approval. It is imperative to be in touch with the DSS as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of an accommodation.

    The University takes student privacy seriously. Any medical documentation should be provided directly to the DS if a substantial accommodation is required. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor but to avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Course staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us


    PUBLISHING OR DISTRIBUTING COURSE MATERIALS POLICY


    Students may not post, publish, sell, or otherwise publicly distribute course materials without the written permission of the course instructor. Such materials include, but are not limited to, the following: lecture notes, lecture slides, video, or audio recordings, assignments, problem sets, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. Students who sell, post, publish, or distribute course materials without written permission, whether for the purposes of soliciting answers or otherwise, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including a requirement to withdraw. Furthermore, students may not make video or audio recordings of class sessions for their own use without written permission from the instructor.


    ETHICS AND USE OF PRIOR MATERIALS


    It is never appropriate to use materials prepared for previous courses by students or faculty. Students should not use previously completed case write-ups, or summaries of readings.


    WEEKLY CLASS MEETING SCHEDULE


    Additional information can be found on the course website.

    Please note: the syllabus may be modified prior to and during a course, including updates to assignments and additional material.

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