EEX4070 Syllabus Talk 25

Summary

In this engaging introduction, Dr. Dan, a professional magician and educator, outlines the structure of an interactive and hands-on course for future teachers. With an emphasis on creativity, community service, and inclusivity, students will work on various projects, including a community service project, lesson adaptations, disability awareness, and material modifications. Dr. Dan encourages collaboration, reflection, and real-world application, with assignments designed to foster critical thinking and empathy. Throughout the course, students will interact with peers, interview educators, and create tangible learning tools, all while integrating magic as a fun and innovative teaching method.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Dan, the instructor, is also a professional magician and uses magic throughout the course to make learning fun.
• 😀 The course is not self-paced; students will interact with others and need to adhere to deadlines.
• 😀 The first assignment is a 15-hour community service project where students must plan and create something, not just volunteer.
• 😀 The 'Adapt a Lesson' assignment requires students to adapt a lesson plan in nine different ways to cater to diverse learning needs.
• 😀 The 'Individual Learning Activity' involves experiencing a disability firsthand (e.g., using a wheelchair) and reflecting on the experience.
• 😀 The 'Adaptation Project' involves creating a tangible item to help children with special needs, such as a hands-on learning tool.
• 😀 Students must conduct an 'Inclusion Interview' with an educator to discuss inclusion in the classroom, with individual questions and reflections.
• 😀 Weekly Learning Activities require students to engage with peers by posting, responding to others' posts, and providing feedback.
• 😀 Students will review two journal articles, with one article written by Dr. Dan about how magic can assist children with special needs.
• 😀 The 'Material Modification Assignment' requires students to analyze a textbook chapter and create two vocabulary-building activities for children with special needs.
• 😀 The course includes a variety of hands-on projects, such as creating file folder games and learning cards, to help students actively engage with the material.

Q & A

Who is Dr. Dan and what unique skill does he bring to this course?

Dr. Dan is a professional magician and educator who incorporates magic and tricks into the course to make learning more engaging and fun.

Is this course self-paced or does it have scheduled activities?

This is not a self-paced course. Students will interact with others and adhere to specific due dates for assignments.

What is the first major assignment and what makes it unique?

The first assignment is a 15-hour community service project. Unlike volunteering, it requires planning and creating a project that contributes meaningfully to an organization.

What is the 'Adapt a Lesson' project?

The 'Adapt a Lesson' project involves taking a lesson, either created or found online, and adapting it in nine different ways, following specific categories provided in a handout.

What is the purpose of the Individual Learning Activity?

The Individual Learning Activity requires students to experience a disability firsthand, such as using a wheelchair, and reflect on the experience to gain empathy and understanding.

How does the Adaptation Project differ from Adapt a Lesson?

The Adaptation Project involves creating a tangible, interactive item for learning, such as manipulatives for math, rather than just adapting lesson plans.

What are Weekly Learning Activities and how are they submitted?

Weekly Learning Activities involve posting reflections or responses to prompts, interacting with peers by responding to their posts, and submitting screenshots or copies of the interactions for grading.

What is the purpose of the Inclusion Interview?

The Inclusion Interview requires a face-to-face interview with an educator about how children are included in general education classrooms, and students must reflect individually on the responses.

What are File Folder Games and Learning Cards?

File Folder Games are interactive learning activities that go beyond worksheets, while Learning Cards are study tools with information on the back to help students learn through interaction and review.

What assignments require physical creation and interaction?

The Adaptation Project, File Folder Games, Learning Cards, and certain vocabulary activities require students to physically create materials and interact with them.

How should students approach studying for quizzes and exams?

Students should study all presented course materials, including videos, projects, and uploaded materials, as everything covered is considered fair game for quizzes and exams.

What support resources are available for students?

Students can use the 'Students Helping Students' forum to ask questions or provide answers, and refer to the FAQ section at the end of the syllabus for frequently asked questions.