Constructing a Course Outline as a Novice Teacher Where Do I Begin? Constructing a Course Outline as a Novice Teacher

Pre-thinking about course outline development… What purpose does it serve? Who is the audience? What are the critical elements? How do I determine a big picture assessment plan?

Purpose of a course outline… A course outline is a document that benefits students, instructors and stakeholders. It is an essential piece when designing any course. It’s a planning tool. As you prepare it, you are setting course goals and aligning your assessment plans. You are establishing a schedule for the course. It helps guide students. You are informing students about the work and materials they will engage in. The schedule can also tell students what expectations there are of them. It also acts as a reference for stakeholders like parents, colleagues, administrators, and accreditation agencies.

What should I include… Go explore … Take some time reviewing the posted course outlines from the field. What common pieces do you see? What is different? What do you like to see as a learner? Record pieces on board

From Education Week Teacher…. the title of the course and when and where it meets your contact information and the best way for students/parents to contact you a brief description of the class a list of objectives/I can statements assessing policies including how you will handle plagiarism or other academic dishonesty required materials and other resources a break down of each unit you will cover with any major assessments consider adding the approximate length of the unit the purpose and expectations of learning (I can statements) the standards (outcomes) covered throughout the year rubrics used, if any are set to go calendar of assignments, including reading responsibilities

Where do I start? the Curriculum Direction from Administration (via a Subject area leader) Special Subject Associations Experienced colleagues/your mentor Math – 50% tests by outcome; 25% assignments and quizzes; 25% final ELA – CR and CC at 45%; AR at 10% (eg. Final/essay/exit interview)

the Assessment piece… Your assessment and evaluation philosophy will be reflected in the design of your assessment plan. Assessment plans are built in line with the outcomes of the curriculum. Your assessment plan states how you will gather evidence for achievement of the outcomes. An assessment plan will share the big picture plan for overall course assessment. Remember…your formative assessment process impacts the summative evaluation. Consider the balance of “on the spot” assessment and assessment “over time”.

Haus and Houk, 2017 with support from University of Lethbridge Teaching Centre, various course outlines from colleagues; http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/work_in_progress/2015/09/create_a_syllabus_for_high_sch.html