Description
This course addresses the four themes of the conceptual framework for the UK professional education unit: research, reflection, learning, and leading.
Students will be given the opportunity to review, analyze, discuss, and apply research from diverse perspectives in education, including professional scholarship and practitioner inquiry, in order to reflect on their own practices as they study, observe, and practice in P-12 school and university classrooms. Reflection will also be integrated into students' learning opportunities through the production of written essays and analyses of observation and teaching experiences to help students take advantage of the analytical and problem-solving skills that comprise critical professional reflection on one's own teaching.
This course emphasizes the commitment of the professional education unit to ensure that its graduates move into their professional lives equipped for life-long learning as educators who will be active in leading colleagues in their schools, districts, and professional organizations. The ultimate goal in addressing these four themes is to produce teacher leaders who work together to improve student learning among diverse populations and improve education in Kentucky and beyond.
Leadership, and specifically Teacher Leadership, within our framework of Research and Reflection for Learning and Leading, is informed by the "Framework for School Leadership Accomplishments" (Bellamy, Fulmer, Murphy, & Muth, 2007, p. 34). In this framework, student learning is the central objective and it is accomplished through nine interactive, collaborative efforts by diverse stakeholders.
Course Objectives
By the conclusion of EDU 300, students will:
- Understand a variety of research methods.
- Conduct research studies in STEM education.
- Prepare and conduct scholarly papers and presentations.
- Read, evaluate, and provide feedback to peer's research.
