SHAW UNIVERSITY

Department of Education

 

EDU 270-01

Child and Adolescent Development

Spring 2008

 

Instructor: Professor Whalen

Office:        Web-based course

Office Hours: TBA

Class Meeting Time: Wednesday –Class will be Online

 

Conceptual Framework Theme

 

The theme/purpose of the conceptual framework undergirding the Department of Education’s programs is: to produce graduates who are critical thinking problem solvers with the knowledge, pedagogical, and technological skills, and professional dispositions needed to function as effective teachers in a diverse world.

 

Department of Education Mission Statement

 

The Shaw University Department of Education builds on the knowledge, skills, and values that students acquire through their liberal arts and science foundations.  Candidates graduating from the department will have the specialty area knowledge, professional skills, and experiences that will enable them to function as competent and effective teachers who think critically and demonstrate effective problem-solving skills.

 

Departmental majors may choose a specific concentration from four different specialty areas.  Each student is encouraged to choose one of the specialty areas listed below by the end of his/her sophomore year.

 

Birth through Kindergarten Education (B-K)

Elementary Education (K-6)

 

Graduate students may pursue a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education.

 

[The Secondary English Education (9-12) and Secondary Mathematics Education (9-12) programs are housed in the content areas.  The University suspended the Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12) Program, effective in fall 2006.]

 

Department of Education Goals

           

The goals of the Department of Education are:

 

1.       to align the institutional mission and goals with state, regional, national, and departmental  standards and requirements; 

 

2.       to prepare candidates to work in schools as teachers who know and can demonstrate the content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all P-12 students learn;

 

3.       to implement an assessment system that collects and analyzes data on applicant qualifications, candidate and graduate performance, and unit operations to evaluate and improve the unit and its programs;

 

4.       to collaborate with school partners to design, implement, and evaluate field experiences and clinical practice so that teacher candidates develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all students learn;

5.       to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum and experiences for candidates to acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all students learn;

 

6.       to maintain a qualified faculty that models best professional practices in scholarship, service, and teaching; and

 

7.       to maintain the leadership, authority, budget, personnel, facilities, and resources for the preparation of candidates to meet professional, state, and institutional standards.

 

NOTE: The mission statement and goals of the Department of Education are aligned with the mission statement and goals of each of its programs.

 

Required Text(s)

 

Berger, Kathleen Stassen. (2005). The developing person through childhood and adolescence. Seventh Edition. Bronx Community College, CUNY.

 

Blackboard/LiveText, web software

 

General Course Description

 

The student applies critical thinking and assessment skills to the extensive literature dealing with the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional developmental stages of children from prenatal through adolescence. Contemporary issues confronting the family, problems facing children with special needs, and the formation of value systems are also addressed.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

 

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

1. Use critical thinking and problem solving skills in discussions/presentations about the specific   

    developmental issues that occur during the early childhood, elementary and adolescent years   

    and their implications for professional practice within a multicultural and global environment.

 

2. Demonstrate an appreciation for cultural diversity as it relates to early childhood and   

    adolescent development.

 

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the (a) physical and cognitive development, (b) language   

    development, (c ) emotional, social, personality, and moral/ethical development during the   

    early childhood, elementary and adolescent years and the importance of individual variability.

 

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the various theories of human development during early

    childhood and early adolescence.

 

5. Develop an awareness of the developing individual during early childhood and early   

    adolescence within the context of a changing world and the urban environment (historical   

    change, changing ecological contexts—family, friends, school, community, and      

     social/cultural change).

 

6. Develop an appreciation for the uses of technology in teaching and learning.

 

Specific NCATE/NCDPI Competencies

 

Core Standard

 

The students will demonstrate that they meet the following state standards:

 

Standard 2: Teachers know how to teach students.

 

Indicator 1: Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of the students they teach.

 

Diversity Standard

 

Standard 2: Teachers understand how students’ cognitive, physical, socio-cultural, linguistic, emotional, and moral development influences learning and address these factors when making instructional decisions.

 

Indicator 1: Teachers seek and apply good matches among instructional goals, methods, and materials, and students’ skills and abilities.

 

Indicator 2: Teachers assist students in developing multiple learning strategies to address discipline-specific content, communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.

 

Technology Standard

 

Standard 2: Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology.

 

Indicator 1: Teachers design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.

 

Indicator 2: Teachers apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.

 

Indicator 3: Teachers identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.

 

Indicator 4: Teachers plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.

 

Indicator 5: Teachers plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology- enhanced environment.

 

 

 

 

B-K Standard

 

Standard 1: Birth-kindergarten professionals promote child development and learning for ALL young children with and without disabilities, including those at risk.

 

Indicator 1: Know theories and principles of human development, growth and learning, including the findings of relevant research.

 

Indicator 5: Understand how the interaction between biological and environmental factors influences children’s development and learning.

 

Indicator 6: Understand that learning approaches are integrated and that interconnectedness among cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic, and physical development influence growth, development and learning for ALL children.

 

Elementary Education Standard

 

Standard 1: Elementary teachers have a broad knowledge and understanding of the major concepts in English Language Arts and Literacy.

 

Indicator 1: Teachers know the developmental stages of language acquisition.

 

Indicator 4: Teachers understand the elementary school child’s social, cultural, linguistic, cognitive, and affective backgrounds as they relate to the ability to develop effective communication processes (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

 

English Education Standard

 

Standard 1: Teachers know and understand the English language.

 

Indicator 3: Teachers understand individual language acquisition and development, recognizing the impact of cultural, economic, political, and social environments upon language.

 

Math Education Standard

 

Standard 11: Accommodating individual needs: To promote diversity as a strength teachers are knowledgeable about and sensitive toward various teaching/learning styles.

 

 

Assignments

 

All written assignments must be submitted in Blackboard/LiveText in order to be graded.

 

1. Library Component. The Librarian from the Curriculum Materials center will make a    

    presentation to the class to help students with library skills. The presentation will include:

How to write, using APA style (Publication Manual of the American Psychological

  Association, 6th ed.)

How to search databases to locate sources

How to locate sources in the Curriculum Materials Center

Printout of Web sites that provide tips on writing research papers

Tips on how to use Microsoft Word

 

    To provide feedback on this library component, students will be asked to complete an      

   evaluation form.

 

    Core 1.1; Technology 1.1, 1.5; Science 4.6

 

2. Journal Article Reviews. Read and report on two current research-based journal articles      

    related to child and adolescent development using the following Shaw University Department   

    of Education format:

 

A. Title of Article: F. Instrument

B. Author(s): G. Findings

C. Journal Information: H: Implication/Application

D. Synopsis: I: Reaction(s)

E. Subjects:

 

The journal article must be attached to the article review. Reviews should be two to three type-written pages in length. Be sure to follow APA style.

 

Core Standard 2, Indicator 1; Diversity Standard 2, Indicators 1 and 2; Technology Standard 1; B-K Standard

 

Identified Topics for Journal Article Reviews

 

  • Approaches to Understanding Human Development
  • Theories of Human Development
  • Heredity and Development
  • Prenatal Development and Childbirth
  • Infancy and Toddlerhood: Physical. Cognitive, and Language Development OR

             Infants and Toddlers: Personality and Socio-cultural Development

  • Early Childhood: Physical, Cognitive, and Language Development OR

             Early Childhood: Personality and Socio-cultural Development

  • Middle Childhood: Physical, Cognitive, and Language Development OR

             Middle Childhood: Personality and Socio-cultural Development

  • Adolescence: Physical, Cognitive, and Language Development OR

            Adolescence: Personality and Socio-cultural Development

 

3. Journaling. The purpose of the journal is to give students the opportunity to apply what they      

    have learned to a “real life” situation. In addition to honing critical thinking skills and    

    promoting writing skills, a great deal of academic discovery is made as students begin to   

    synthesize academics with “real life.” Students are to provide in-depth responses.  This activity   

    is done at the end of each unit.

 

Core Standard 2, Indicator 1; Diversity Standard 2, Indicators 1 and 2; Technology Standard 1; B-K Standard 1, Indicators 1, 5, and 6; Elementary Education Standard 1, Indicator 1 and 4; English Education Standard 1, Indicator 3; Math Education Standard 11

 

4. Multiple-Choice Quizzes. At the end of each chapter, students are given the opportunity to

    quiz themselves. The short multiple-choice quizzes provide instantaneous feedback and allow   

    students to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie in the content they just covered.

 

Core Standard 2, Indicator 1; Diversity Standard 2, Indicators 1 and 2; Technology Standard 1; B-K Standard 1, Indicators 1, 5, and 6; Elementary Education Standard 1, Indicator 1 and 4; English Education Standard 1,Indicator 3; Math Education Standard 11

 

5. Class Presentation. Each student will choose one journal article review to present to the class.    

    The presentation must utilize instructional technology.

 

     Core Standard 2, Indicator 1; Diversity Standard 2, Indicators 1 and 2; Technology Standard 1

 

6. Final Exam. Time for the final exam will follow the University schedule.

 

7.  Mad Minutes. At the end of each unit, a question is posed to students to encourage    

     uncensored thinking. The greatest self-discovery is often made in these “mad-dash” moments,    

     when one is simply “opening the gates” and letting unimpeded thought fall directly on the   

     page. It is a time for students to question what they have just learned, to think about other  

     possibilities—to dare to think about all of the “what ifs.”

 

     Core Standard 2, Indicator 1; Diversity Standard 2, Indicators 1 and 2; Technology Standard 1

 

8.       Drag and Drop “Building Blocks” Activity: Most developmental textbooks have one theme in common: each discusses the three primary realms, or areas, of human growth and development  

       (biological, cognitive, and psychosocial). Although all instructors recognize that development is   

       truly holistic, and that all three areas of development constantly interact and are interwoven,   

       breaking the study of human development down into easily manageable “pieces” aids in the human

       development teaching-learning enterprise. The purpose of the drop/add activity is to allow students  

       to place each content area in a specific realm (“building block”) of development.

 

Core Standard 2, Indicator 1; Diversity Standard 2, Indicators 1 and 2; Technology Standard 1

 

Evaluation

 

Grading Scale:

A = 90-100 (Target)

B = 80-89 (Acceptable)

C = 70-79 (Acceptable)

D = 60-69 (Unacceptable)

F = below 60 (Unacceptable)

 

Professional Dispositions

 

Standards of Professional Conduct

 

  1. Generally recognized professional standards

Respect the dignity and worth of each individual; help students reflect on their learning and apply learning to their experiences through observations, field experiences, and oral presentations; foster development through all students by nurturing and providing feedback; creating a challenging learning environment by allowing group discussions and solving problems related to child development issues; committed to contributing learning by allowing students to present oral reports; discussions of the Conceptual Framework and classroom dispositions are ongoing

 

  1. Personal Conduct

Reflected through attendance and punctuality, preparedness, attitude towards the university policies, dress code, respect and caring for students, leadership skills, implementing policies that reflects excellence, the ability to design and deliver instructions that will help the students to develop the skills in order to think critically and solve problems, upgrading by attending workshops, meeting timelines, avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, physical appearance or social status, invite dialogue, research to increase knowledge, open mindedness, shows empathy

 

  1. Honesty

Advisement of student, daily operation of the program, student conferences, plagiarism, coursework evaluation and accountability.  The educator shall not engage in conduct involving misrepresentation in the performance of professional duties.

 

Course Requirements

·            For all assignments involving children the Code of Ethics developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the state of North Carolina Code of Professional Practice and Conduct of North Carolina Educators should be observed. 

·            All written assignments must be typed, double-spaced using a 12 font.  Assignments should include a cover page with the student’s name, date, assignment title, course number, and semester. Each assignment should be proofread and free of grammatical errors. 

·            Live Text will be used to assess all assignments.  Common rubrics will be used for each assignment.

 

Course Expectations

1.         Course Readings.  Hand-outs will be given to students to read in addition to the course text.  It is expected that students will read the materials as assignments and tests will be based on the content of the hand-outs.  It will be expected that you check your e-mail as some articles will be sent to your e-mail address.

 

2.         Class Attendance Policy/Excuses from Class:

            The class attendance policy of the University is as follows:

Class attendance is required for all Shaw University students.  Each student is allowed as many unexcused absences per semester as the class meets per week.  For example, in a three-credit hour course, which meets three times per week, the student is allowed three unexcused absences per semester.  Students are allowed two unexcused absences per semester for classes that meet twice per week.  For classes that meet once per week, students are allowed only one unexcused absence.

 

            Student Responsibility:

            Students are responsible for attending class on time and adhering to the

University’s Class Attendance Policy.  Students are expected to attend all classes

and not be absent without adequate cause.  It is the responsibility of students to make-up, in a timely fashion, scheduled class work missed because of a class absence(s).  Absence from unannounced quizzes, tests and other assignments may be made up at the discretion of the faculty member.  Students who exceed the maximum number of absences may receive a failing grade for the course.

It is your responsibility to provide an explanation and a university excuse to the instructor. 

 

3.         Tardiness. You are expected to be on time.

 

4.         Written assignments and Projects.  All projects are expected to be completed and

            turned in by the assigned due date.  Assignments turned in late will be accepted                   

            only if your instructor has been notified and agrees to the late submission.

 

5.         Tests.  If you miss a test, you must produce a university excuse.  A day at the end of the semester will be scheduled for make-up tests.

 

6.         Cheating/Plagiarism.  Cheating is the practice of fraudulent and deceptive acts for

            the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining course credit.  Plagiarism is a                  

            specific form of cheating that consists of the misuse of the published and/or

            unpublished works of another by representing the material so used as one’s own

            work.  The acts of Cheating and/or plagiarism will lead to receiving an “F” on the

            assignment and the filing of a report with the Dean.

 

7.         Classroom Decorum Expectations.  To enhance the learning atmosphere of the classroom, students are expected to dress and behave in a fashion conducive to learning in the classroom. More specifically, students will refrain from disruptive classroom behavior (i.e., talking to classmates, disrespectful responses to teacher instructions; swearing; wearing clothes that impede academic learning such as but not limited to, wearing body-revealing clothing and excessively baggy pants; hats/caps, and/or headdress. Students will turn off telephones prior to entering the classroom. Students who exhibit the behaviors described above, or similar behaviors will immediately dismissed from class at the third documented offense. The student will be readmitted to class only following a decision by the department chair. The student may appeal the decision of the department chair to the Dean of the College offering the course, and, subsequently, to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and then to the President of Shaw University. The decision of the President will be final. Failure to follow the procedures herein outlined will result in termination of the appeal, and revert to the decision of the department chair.  (Not Applicable to Online Courses).  

    

Supplementary Materials/Research Journals (On-Line Resources)

 

http://www.apa.org/ American Psychological Association

http://www.socialpsychology.org/develop.htm Social Psychology Network

http://cvs.desire.org:8080/sosig_mirror/ Social Science Information Gateway

http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itc_data/soc_cult.html Socio-cultural theory

http://psychematters.com:80/child.htm Psyche Matters - Infant & Child Psychology

http://ericae.net/testcol.htm ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation- Test Locator

http://snycorva.cortland.edu/~andersmd/edpsy.html Tutorials for Developmental Theories

http://childstudy.net/cdw.html Classic Theories of Child Development

http://www.childpsychology.com/ The Child Psychologist

http://education.indiana.edu/cas/cashmpg.html Center for Adolescent Studies

http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/devel/kid-t/devel2.htm Child Development Resources

http://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/webchild.html Amoeba Web Developmental Psychology

http://web.lemoyne.edu/~hevern/psychref4-4.html Psych REF - Developmental Psychology:

     Childhood and Adolescence

www.aacap.org/ (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

www.birthpsychology.com/ (Birth Psychology)

www.edipage.com/ (Child Development Institute)

www.srcd.org./ (Society for Research in Child Development)

www.naturalchild.com/home/ (The Natural Child Project)

http./www.uwsp.edu/psych/apa4b.htm (APA Website)

www.schoolreport.com

www.ncpublicschools.gov (Department of Public Instruction)

http://www.ed..gov/ (US Department of Education)

 

Journals

 

American Psychologist

American Educational Research Journal

Black Issues in Higher Education

Bulletin of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

Encyclopedia of Educational Research

Educational Leadership

Journal of Educational Psychology

Journal of Educational Research

Journal of Experimental Educational Training Program

Journal of School Psychology

Multicultural Review

Phi Delta Kappan

Psychological Review

Review of Educational Research

School Board Journal

 

Bibliography

 

Berger, Kathleen Stassen. (2005). The developing person through childhood and adolescence. Seventh Edition. Bronx Community College, CUNY.

 

Blake, J. (1990). Risky times: How to be AIDS-smart and stay healthy: A guide for teenagers. New York, NY: Workman Pub.

 

Dennison, S. T. (1988). Activities for adolescents in therapy: A handbook of facilitating guidelines and planning ideas for group therapy with troubled adolescents. Springfield, IL: Thomas.

 

Fuglini, A.J., Eccles, J.S., Barber, B.L., et al. (2001). Early adolescent peer orientation and adjustment during high school. Developmental Psychology Special Issue, 28-36.

 

Gravelle, K. (1989). Teenagers face to face with bereavement. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: J. Messner.

 

Greenspan, S. I. & Weider, S. (1998). The child with special needs: Encouraging intellectual and emotional growth. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

 

Hetherington, E. M., Henderson, S. H., and Reiss, D. (1999). Adolescent siblings in stepfamilies: Family functioning and adolescent adjustment. Malden, PA: Blackwell Publishers, Inc.

 

Hoben, T. & Lohaus, A. (1993). Modeling growth and individual differences in spatial tasks. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

 

Kaplan, Jeffery S. (Ed.). (1999). Using literature to help troubled teenagers cope with identity issues. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

 

McHale, S.M., Updergraff, K.A., Helms-Erikson, H., et al. (2001). Sibling influences on gender development in middlechildhood and early adolescence: A longitudinal study. Developmental Psychology Special Issue, 115-125.

 

Millstein, S. G., Petersen, A. C. & Nightingale, E. O. (Eds.). Promoting the health of adolescents: New directions for the twenty-first century. New York, NY: Oxford Press.

 

Williams, G.C., Cox, E.M., Hedberg, V.A., et al. (2000). Extrinsic life goals and health-risk behaviors in adolescents. Journal ofApplied Social Psychology, 1756-1771.

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE

Date

Topic

Readings/Assignment Due

January 16, 2008

Introduction to Class

Conceptual Framework/ Course Syllabus Professional Disposition

Professional Disposition Discussion

January 23, 2008

The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence

Chapter 1

 

January 30, 2008

The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence

Chapter 2

Article Review 1

February 6, 2008

Heredity and Environment

Chapter 3

Reflective Journal

February 7, 2008

Prenatal Development and Birth

 

Chapter 4

Reflective Journal

February 13, 2008

The First Two Years: Biosocial Development 

Chapter 5

Article Review 2

 

February 20, 2008

The First Two Years: Cognitive Development

 

Chapter 6:

Reflective Journal

February 27, 2008

The First Two Years: Psychosocial Development

Chapter7

Journal Entry

March 5, 2008

 Mid-term

Quiz

March 12, 2008

The Play Years: Biosocial Development

Chapter 8

Article Review 3

March 19, 2008

The Play Years: Cognitive Development

Chapter 9

Article Review 4

March 21-30, 2008

Easter and Spring Break

Article to Read