Syllabus: Summer 2022

HERO-T Workshop in Education

Location: Oliver Hall

Instructor:
Dr. Elizabeth W. Edmondson

Office:   
Oliver Hall 3067

Office Hours: 
By appointment        

Phone:
804-827-2650 Office

E-mail:
ewedmondson@vcu.edu

Texts:  Various readings

Objectives:

1. The fellow will be able to critically reflect on issues related to the Next Generation Science Standards, Virginia Standards of Learning and best science practices.
2. The fellow will develop a deep understanding of the practices of science and how they can be integrated into their teaching.
3. The fellow will translate content and procedures learned in their research placement into an instructional unit for use in their classroom during the 2022-23 academic year.
   
   

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Class attendance and active class participation
Attendance at all workshop meetings is required. You will be expected to post course assignments on the Google Drive per schedule. Thoughtful, written feedback on your peers’ postings will be expected by the designated dates. Fellows are expected to create and teach a unit/lesson based on their research experience. In addition, fellows will share feedback on the results of their teaching with their cohort peers.

 EVALUATION

There will be no exams in this course. Your grade will be based on my subjective evaluation of your participation in the course and satisfactory completion and teaching of your unit plan.

 Email Policy

Electronic mail or "email" is considered an official method for communication at VCU because it delivers information in a convenient, timely, cost effective and environmentally aware manner. Students are expected to check their official VCU e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed of university-related communications. The University recommends checking e-mail daily. Students are responsible for the consequences of not reading, in a timely fashion, university-related communications sent to their official VCU student e-mail account. This policy ensures that all students have access to this important form of communication. It ensures students can be reached through a standardized channel by faculty and other staff of the university as needed. Mail sent to the VCU email address may include notification of university-related actions, including disciplinary action. Please read the policy in its entirety. 

VCU Honor System: Upholding Academic Integrity

The VCU honor system policy describes the responsibilities of students, faculty and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. According to this policy, "members of the academic community are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity." In addition, "All members of the VCU community are presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System and are required to:

• Agree to be bound by the Honor System policy and its procedures;
• Report suspicion or knowledge of possible violations of the Honor System;
• Support an environment that reflects a commitment to academic integrity;
• Answer truthfully when called upon to do so regarding Honor System cases, and,
• Maintain confidentiality regarding specific information in Honor System cases.”

View the Honor System in its entirety.  

Student Conduct in the Classroom

According to the Faculty Guide to Student Conduct in Instructional Settings: 
"The university is a community of learners. Students, as well as faculty, have a responsibility for creating and maintaining an environment that supports effective instruction. In order for faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) to provide and students to receive effective instruction in classrooms, laboratories, studios, online courses, and other learning areas, the university expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner." Among other things, cell phones and beepers should be turned off while in the classroom. Also, the university Rules and Procedures prohibit anyone from having "in his possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of the university..." Click here for more information.

Students with Disabilities

SECTION 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, require that VCU provides "academic adjustments " or "reasonable accommodations" to any student who has  a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.  To receive accommodations, students must request them by contacting the Disability Support Services Office on the Monroe Park Campus (828-2253) or the Division for Academic Success on the MCV campus (828-9782). More information is available at the Accessibility Resources webpage or the Division for Academic Success webpage.

If you have a disability that requires an academic accommodation, please schedule a meeting with me at your earliest convenience. Additionally, if your coursework requires you to work in a lab environment, you should advise your instructor or a department chairperson of any concerns you may have regarding safety issues related to your disability. This statement applies not only to this course but also to every other course in this university.

Campus Emergency information

What to Know and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU:

• Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts. Keep your information up-to-date. Within the classroom, the professor will keep his or her phone on to receive any emergency transmissions.
• Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
• Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities. Within the classroom, follow your professor's instructions.
• Know where to go for additional emergency information (http://www.vcu.edu/alert).
• Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.

2022 HERO-T Workshop in Education