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The students involved in this project are juniors and seniors enrolled in the elementary education language arts/reading/social studies block of courses for which they receive eleven semester credit hours. Two Indiana University Southeast faculty members teach the courses. The students attend classes on campus two days per week as well as participate in the field experience and other required seminars during numerous Friday sessions (which are scheduled as field experience credit). While on campus the students: engage in reading textbooks and current journal articles; locate and share numerous language arts/reading/social studies activities; teach mini-lessons; listen to presentations made by their instructors; familiarize themselves with the state standards; prepare presentations on various topics; participate in class discussions; and enhance their computer knowledge. The university instructors collaborate with two School of Education technology facilitators (the former dean and the current educational technology coordinator) as well as with the Director of Field Placement.
Once the university students are well-grounded in various aspects of social studies and literacy, they begin their field experience in the fourth and fifth grades at Galena Elementary School in Floyd Knobs, Indiana. At first the IU Southeast students simply observe the children in their assigned classrooms. Next they meet the group of children to whom they've been assigned. During this session, the students engage in a "getting to know you" activity and ask the students to complete a pre-unit questionnaire. The IU Southeast students then begin teaching their integrated, theme-based units.
The units must naturally infuse the use of technology while meeting the course requirements of incorporating the social studies and language arts state standards. The units the students plan must focus on encouraging problem solving/higher level thinking skills, promoting the joy of reading and writing, understanding various cultures, and integrating technology into the children's lives. The state standards for social studies and language arts are cross-referenced with the students' goals and activities.
Each lesson that is planned is created after the previous lesson is taught; students must write their reflective comments regarding each lesson and those are made available to the instructor. In this way, students are learning to teach in a flexible manner--based on the students' needs, not strictly on the instructors' pre-determined plans.
The IU Southeast students teach their lessons during six, 90 minute sessions. During these sessions, the Galena teachers and the IU Southeast instructors evaluate their effectiveness of lesson planning and implementation. Written and verbal feedback is given and the students receive evaluations for their practicum based on their ability to creatively teach within the parameters of the requirements. With their eye constantly on the goals of their unit and their children's needs, the IU Southeast students teach in a way that is effective and professionally sound.