COURSE SYLLABUS: Methods and Applications for Teaching Standardized Testing
Course Title:
Department:
Instructor:
EDU508 - Methods and Applications for Teaching Standardized Testing
Certificate Program
Jane A. Harding, B.S. in Ed., Ed.M./Reading Email | Vita
INTRODUCTION
Methods and Applications for Teaching Standardized Testing is a certificate course designed to give teachers, as well as parents, a solid understanding of the standardized testing process, and to provide a repertoire of strategies and attack skills to ensure testing success. State-mandated, norm-referenced multiple choice tests are commonplace in schools today and the pressures placed on students, teachers, and administrators will only become more profound in the years to come.
This certificate course is formatted for 120 hours of self-paced study. Upon completion of the course, participants will be awarded the certificate of “Methods and Applications for Teaching Standardized Testing” as well as 6 semester hours of credit from Canyon College. The cost of the program is $900. Participants are given six (6) months to complete this program.
The course is presented in four (4) modules. Each module is outlined below including content reading assignments. The test will comprise of four essay questions per module. The essay questions are designed to guide the student in understanding the text and provide a deeper understanding of the material. Please email me indicating when you are ready to take the essay exams so I can clear your username to allow you access. You may begin your course of study as soon as you receive your books.
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT
You have many avenues of access to the course instructor. You may contact the instructor anytime you have questions, would like clarification, etc. Your interaction with the instructor is one-on-one and this is highly beneficial as you proceed through the course.
1) “Children At The Center - A Workshop Approach To Standardized Test Preparation, K-8” by Kathe Taylor and Sherry Walton, ISBN #:0325000956
2) “Test Success In the Brain-Compatible Classroom” by Carolyn Chapman and Rita King, ISBN #: 1569761175
You are required to purchase these texts on your own. It can easily be purchased directly from Amazon or your book store.
GRADING EXPECTATIONS
Each module will have four (4) essay questions totaling 100 points or 25 points for each question. The maximum points for the entire course is 400 points. Your grade will be a percentage of earned points versus total points.
For a grade of “A” or 360-400 total points, the responses must meet all of the following criteria.
The student:
Responds to all parts of the question correctly and thoroughly
Uses correct grammar and structure
Applies the material and response to personal practice when applicable
Critically evaluates the material presented
For a grade of “B” or 320-359 total points, the responses must meet all of the following criteria.
The student:
Responds to all parts of the question correctly
Uses correct grammar
Applies the material and response to personal practice when applicable; and,
Applies the material and response to personal practice when applicable
For a grade of “C” or 280-319 total points, the responses must meet all of the following criteria.
The student:
Responds to the questions satisfactorily
Uses correct grammar
Note: Acquiring 279 points or less constitutes failure of the course
SUBMITTING EXAMS
Examinations will be taken and submitted to the instructor via online system. The link to the exam will be found in the electronic classroom. Prior approval must be obtained to access each exam. Please contact the instructor to obtain the necessary security access. Exams must be taken in the order of the modules, 1,2,3 and 4.
ON-LINE MESSAGE BOARD
Canyon College has provided an on-line message board for the participants of this course. The message board is a vehicle whereby the instructor can post information related to the content of study. All currently enrolled students may at any time post to the message board. This includes questions or information related to the course. Once enrolled, you will receive directions for accessing and using the message board.
SYLLABUS
Module 1
Read “Children At The Center”
Chapter 1: Co-opting Standardized Tests in the Service of Learning
Chapter 2: Who’s “Norm” and What’s He Doing in My Class?
Chapter 3: When Parents Meet “Norm”: Helping Parents Understand Test Scores
Read “Test Success”
Chapter 1: The Test Scene
Chapter 2: A Word From the Experts
Chapter 3: Casting the Brain-Compatible Classroom
E-mail me to indicate you are ready for the first test.
Chapter 4: Memory in Action: Learning the Part
Chapter 5: Preparing the Performer: Internal Readiness
Chapter 6: Setting the Environment for Testing
E-mail me to indicate you are ready for the test.
MODULE 3
Read “Children At The Center”
Chapter 6: Workshop Two: Exploring Students’ Reactions to Tests and Current Strategies
Chapter 7: Workshop Three: Thinking Allowed; Thinking Aloud
Chapter 8: Workshop Four: Figuring Out What Works and Why
Chapter 9: Workshop Five: Thinking Inside and Outside the Box
Chapter 10: Workshop Six: Solving the Mystery of Multiple-Choice Tests
Chapter 11: Workshop Seven: Thinking Like a Detective
Read “Test Success”
Chapter 7: Strategies for Top Performance I: Test-Day Cues
E-mail me to indicate you are ready to take the test.
MODULE 4
Read “Children At The Center”
Chapter 12: Workshop Eight: Assessing Students’ Experiences and Reactions
Chapter 13: Stories From the Front: The Ethics and Practice of Test Preparation
Read “Test Success”
Chapter 8: Strategies for Top Performance II: Attack Skills
Chapter 9: Placing Change in the Spotlight
E-mail me to indicate you are ready to take the test.
