EDUC 170

I. Course Title: Preparing for the VCLA Exam

II. Course Number: EDUC 170

III. Credit Hours: 2 credits 

IV. Prerequisites: Planning to apply to the Teacher Education Program

V. Course Description: This course is intended to support the critical reading and writing skills essential for professional educators and to provide support for the VCLA Exam. The content of the course will focus on:

• Reading comprehension and vocabulary strategies,
• Writing organization,
• Editing and revising skills, and
• Mechanics.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This course is intended to support the critical reading and writing skills essential for professional educators. The content of the course will focus on: reading comprehension and vocabulary strategies, writing organization, editing and revising skills, and mechanics. In addition, the course will address test anxiety and how to manage the test-taking process. The course will involve self-reflection on these skills and individualized goal-setting via on-going practice. To become a certified teacher in Virginia, you must pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

 This course uses methods that include, but are not limited to, lecture, readings, guest speakers, group or partner work, writing (both informal and formal), reflections, discussions, presentations, micro-teaching, or video analysis. Assignments may include components that are implemented in the field placement or require participation in community or campus events that support course objectives. Additionally, candidates will video and reflect on their practice to support deliberate practice of key skills.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Candidates successfully completing this course will demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the following areas of reading comprehension:

1. Understand the meaning of words and phrases using the following methods:
2. Understand the main idea and supporting details in written material.
3. Analyze the relationship among ideas in written material.
4. Use critical-reasoning skills to evaluate written material.
5. Information presented in graphic form

 Candidates successfully completing this course will demonstrate their proficiency in the following writing skills:

1. Understand the influence of purpose and audience in written communication.
2. Apply principles of unity, focus, and development in writing.
3. Apply principles of organization in writing.
4. Apply principles of sentence and paragraph construction in writing.
5. Apply correct usage in Standard English.
6. Apply knowledge of mechanical conventions in Standard English.
7. Improve ineffective writing by analyzing and revising sentences containing problems related to grammar and usage, construction, and mechanics.
8. Produce a written summary of a given informational or persuasive passage.
9. Prepare a developed composition on a given topic using language consistent with a given audience and purpose.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

 Course assessments may include, but are not limited to, quizzes, practice tests, writing assignments that include sample exam questions and essays, tests, reflections, and presentations.

 

Other Course Information: Author Name: Don Langrehr March, 2021

 

Review and Approval

March 01, 2021