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Dr. Pamela Beck is an Associate Professor in the Teaching, Leadership & Professional Practice Department at the University of North Dakota.   She currently directs the graduate reading program and the summer reading program.  Her classroom experiences include 25 years of service as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach.

She has presented on topics including strategic reading behaviors, effective teaching methods, process writing, and instructional coaching.  Her research interests focus on literacy learning and assessment, effective instructional methods in the elementary school, instructional coaching, and best practices for teacher educators.

Students will:

1. Examine research-based methods of supporting teacher learning through various professional development models and approaches (CAEP A.1, NBPT 5, ILA 5 & 6);
2. Examine and demonstrate effective interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills required of school-level leaders to collaborate and assess the professional learning needs of teachers and school personnel (CAEP A.1, NBPT 1, 3, 5, ILA 6);
3. Plan, demonstrate, facilitate and evaluate effective and differentiated professional development (CAEP A.1, NBPT 4, 5, ILA 6);
4. Identify grant funding sources to support school improvement efforts (A.1, NBPT 5); and
5. Research professional texts and resources to support professional development efforts of the school (CAEP A.1, NBPT 4, 5, ILA 5 & 6).

Aguilar, E. (2016).  The art of coaching teams: Building resilient communities that transform schools.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.  ISBN: 9781118984154

Bean, R. M., & Ippolito, J. (2016). Cultivating coaching mindsets: An action guide for literacy leaders. West Palm Beach, FL: Learning Sciences International.  ISBN: 978-1-941112-33-5

Many, T., Maffoni, M., Sparks, S., & Thomas, T. (2018). Amplify your impact: Coaching collaborative teams in PLCs at work.  Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.  ISBN: 9781945349324.

In order to succeed in this course, at a minimum, you should be able to:

• Navigate in and use basic Blackboard functions
• Download and open electronic documents
• Create, save, and upload/attach electronic documents
• Send, receive, and manage email

Access and Log in Information

This course was developed and will be facilitated utilizing Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://blackboard.UND.edu and log in with your NDUS.Identifier, Username and Password. If you do not know your NDUS Identifier or have forgotten your password, please visit Your NDUS Account page on the UIT website.

Course Overview

Blackboard will be used for making announcements, sending email, posting weekly lessons, group work using Wikis, discussing course content, posting handouts, submitting weekly assignments, and managing grades.  As the semester progresses, additional Blackboard tools may be required for use.

A one-week time block for this course runs from Tuesday 2:00 PM to the next Monday at 11:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST).  For example, the first week of class runs from Tuesday, August 24, 2:00 PM CST to Monday, August 30, 11:00 PM CST. 

Give or take a few minutes, I post the new Weekly Lesson on Tuesdays at 2:00 PM CST.  In special and rare situations, I post a statement on Blackboard, noting the delay in posting the lessons.

Each week you will have tasks to complete within the "Weekly Lesson" folder, found on the left side course menu.  The Weekly Lesson folder contains information from me, reading assignments, and tasks.  The tasks may be individual, require working with a group, and have points assigned.

Resources

Many services are available to UND students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center, free online tutoring from Smarthinking, and more. Visit the Student Resources page for more information. Students also have access to the UND Student Resource Site via Blackboard. It is recommended that you become familiar with the tools and tutorials within the site to better equip you in navigating the course.

Course Requirements/Expectations

• Plan to take the course as presented. Just as with an on-campus course, you should refrain from asking for the course to be customized to fit your personal and/or professional schedule.
• Plan to spend sufficient time on the course. You are expected to put in the same amount of time into online courses as you would if you were enrolled in a face-to-face course on-campus. For example, if a three-credit course were meeting on-campus it would meet for three hours each week for 16 weeks. In addition to this meeting time, you would be expected to spend, at minimum, an additional hour for each hour of class on assignments and readings. Thus, you can anticipate spending at least six hours each week on this three-credit class (e.g., readings, working on assignments, discussion, and other).
• Expect to participate in the course in a steady, weekly, ongoing pattern.
• The syllabus is tentative in nature; changes to it may occur throughout the semester.  Routinely check Weekly Folders in Blackboard for assignment information as the schedule on the syllabus is generalized.
• As mentioned in the technical requirements above, if your work is posted in a format unsupported by typical UND software, you will be asked to send your work in accessible software formats for that assignment. Assignments must be accessible by the course instructor without undue effort. Consistently inaccessible work may result in loss of points.
• Please check your UND email account for messages or, the account which accesses your UND email.  There are times I will post announcements on Blackboard which are sent to your email address, email you about your assignment, or contact you with a question. 
• NOTE: In this online course, students are responsible for all information that is sent electronically, so make sure your email is correct and you are checking your account.

Communication is important, especially in an online course.  Below are the expectations related to communication:

Announcements

Announcements will be posted in Blackboard on a regular basis. Be sure to check the class announcements regularly as they will contain important information about class assignments and other class matters.

Email

If you need to contact me directly, check the Faculty tab in Blackboard or the syllabus for my contact information. I will respond back to you within 48 hours during the week or weekend.

Discussion Forums, Blogs, & Wikis

These tools are an excellent way for you to engage with the course material and with your peers. Each week we will have at least one of these tools for you to participate in. You are expected to read all assigned discussion boards, blog posts, and/or wiki pages and provide thoughtful contributions.

Course Etiquette

When participating in class (online or in person) it is important to interact with your peers in an appropriate manner. Always use professional language (no netspeak) in your postings and emails. Please be respectful of your classmates at all times even if you disagree with their ideas.

Assignment Policy

Due dates for each assignment or activity will be posted in Blackboard.  You are expected to be on time with assignments.  If there is an occasion you need a revised due date, please do not hesitate to contact me prior to the due date and ask for a revised date.  Typically, I will be more than comfortable arranging a new due date for your work. If the late work is group-related, it is important that you apprise your group members.

Late Work

All assignments must be submitted by the due dates posted in the course.  Please contact me if you are unable to complete a weekly lesson in a timely manner—before the assignment is due. If there has been no communication for arrangements, and if the assignment is submitted two or more weeks late, it will result in the total loss of points for that assignment.

All requirements for this course must be completed during the course dates.

Instructor Responsibilities and Feedback

I will provide feedback on all assignments and group activities by Wednesday of the following week.

You may set up an appointment for the instructor to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer advice.

Class Participation

You are expected to participate in the course in a steady, weekly, on-going pattern. Not participating in this fashion will most likely result in reduced points.

Participation is the heart of this course. You will complete assigned readings and weekly tasks—e.g., discussion board interactions, in-class activities, and specific assignments; is on time for class and with assignments; actively participates with course concepts; is supportive of peers and instructor; checks UND email and Blackboard; uses information posted on Blackboard, in assignment descriptions, in emails and the like. Here is the way that I tend to think about your weekly work, performance, and participation:

Extensive: Excellent, strong effort, engaged, rich links to course content; strong evidence course content is being learned; contributes to the good of the whole; attentive to group work and strong contributor; uses course resources to be productive and informed; attention to scholarship; meaningfully personalizes content of course.

Substantial: Very good, strong evidence of content application and processing, effort is evident; attentive to scholarship; strong contributions to group work; perhaps misses key points or ideas underdeveloped; evidence that key course content is being learned and used in assignments.

Limited: Passable but thin content; effort less evident; work may be underdeveloped, over reliant on experience vs. grounding in course content and references; group work limited or pattern of last minute contribution; central course ideas are grasped but misconceptions about course content emerge and/or evidence of missed opportunities to convey and process course content deeply; encouraged to contact instructor.

Minimal: Limited, weak, not passable; content inaccurate or not referenced or used; effort not evident; disengaged (late, skips tasks, group work weak), appears not to complete the readings and/or tasks; not submitting work; effort is sporadic or late or not submitted in accessible formats; little evidence that course content is learned and/or considered; tends not to participate in the course as it is developed (e.g., excessive need for revised assignment dates); encouraged to contact instructor.

Incompletes

It is expected that students will complete all requirements for a course during the time frame of the course. For reasons beyond a student’s control, and upon request by the student or on behalf of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned by the instructor when there is reasonable certainty the student will successfully complete the course without retaking it. The mark “I,” Incomplete, will be assigned only to the student who has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work up to a time within four weeks of the close of the semester, including the examination period, and whose work is incomplete for reasons satisfactory to his or her instructor. More information regarding UND’s Incomplete policy can be found on The Grading System webpage.

Copyright Notice

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA POLICIES & RESOURCES

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a serious matter, and any deviations from appropriate behavior will be dealt with strongly. At the discretion of the professor, situations of concern may be dealt with as a scholastic matter or a disciplinary matter.

As a scholastic matter, the professor has the discretion to determine appropriate penalties to the student’s workload or grade, but the situation may be resolved without involving many individuals. An alternative is to treat the situation as a disciplinary matter, which can result in suspension from the University, or have lesser penalties. Be aware that I view this as a very serious matter, and will have little tolerance of or sympathy for questionable practices. A student who attempts to obtain credit for work that is not their own (whether that be on a paper, quiz, homework assignment, exam, etc.) will likely receive a failing grade for that item of work, and at the professor’s discretion, may also receive a failing grade in the course. For more information read the Code of Student Life.

Access & Opportunity, Disability Support and Medical Services

If you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need accommodations in this course because of a disability, please visit with me as soon as possible. My office hours are at the top of this syllabus. If you plan to request disability accommodations, you are expected to register with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office online, (180 McCannel Hall, 701.777.3425).

If you have a temporary medical condition such as a broken arm or recovering after surgery, you may be able to arrange for courtesy services. In most cases, it is expected that you will make your own arrangements for these services. Examples of courtesy services include access to a test scribe if the student has a broken hand; lift equipped van transportation when the student has a broken leg or temporary accessible parking for a student using crutches for a short period. If you are unable to make your own arrangements, please contact DSS (777-3425). Unlike services and/or accommodations provided to eligible students with disabilities, the University is NOT obligated to provide courtesy services.

Resolution of Problems

Should a problem occur, you should speak to your instructor first. If the problem is not resolved, meet with insert name of conflict mediator or ombudsperson if available in your department, otherwise delete this sentence. If the problem continues to be unresolved, go to the department chair, and next to the college Dean. Should the problem persist, you have the right to go to the Provost next, and then to the President.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of the University of North Dakota that no person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, age, color, gender, disability, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or political belief or affiliation and the equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. Concerns regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, and Section 504 may be addressed to: Donna Smith, Director of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Title IX Coordinator, 401 Twamley Hall, 701.777.4171, UND.affirmativeactionoffice@UND.edu or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 500 West Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60611 or any other federal agency.

Reporting of Sexual Violence

If you or a friend has experienced sexual violence, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, or sex-based harassment, please contact UND’s Title IX Coordinator, Donna Smith, for assistance: 701.777.4171; donna.smith@UND.edu; or visit the Title IX webpage.

Faculty Reporting Obligations Regarding Sexual Violence

It is important for students to understand that faculty are required to share with UND’s Title IX Coordinator any incidents of sexual violence they become aware of, even if those incidents occurred in the past or are disclosed as part of a class assignment. This does not mean an investigation will occur if the student does not want that, but it does allow UND to provide resources to help the student continue to be successful at UND. If you have been the victim of sexual violence, you can find information about confidential support services on the Title IX webpage.

UND Cares Program

The UND Cares program seeks to educate faculty, staff and students on how to recognize warning signs that indicate a student is in distress.

How to Seek Help When in Distress

We know that while college is a wonderful time for most students, some students may struggle. You may experience students in distress on campus, in your classroom, in your home, and within residence halls. Distressed students may initially seek assistance from faculty, staff members, their parents, and other students. In addition to the support we can provide to each other, there are also professional support services available to students through the Dean of Students and University Counseling Center. Both staffs are available to consult with you about getting help or providing a friend with the help that he or she may need. For more additional information, please visit the UND Cares program Webpage.

How to Recognize When a Student is in Distress

The term “distressed” can mean any of the following:

• Student has significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities.
• Student has cut off or minimized contact with family or friends.
• Student has significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular, or social activities.
• Student describes problems (missing class, not remembering, destructive behavior) that result from experiences with drinking or drugs.
• Student is acting withdrawn, volatile, tearful, etc.
• Student is acting out of character or differently than usual.
• Student is talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide.
• Student has difficulty concentrating or difficulty carrying on normal conversation.
• Student has excessive dependence on others for company or support.
• Student reports feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.

UND Cares about Your Success

Important information is available to you through Starfish, which is an online system used to help students be successful. When an instructor observes student behaviors or concerns that may impede academic success, the instructor may raise a flag that notifies the student of the concern and/or refer the student to their academic advisor or UND resource. Please pay attention to these emails and take the recommended actions. They are sent to help you be successful!

Starfish also allows you to (1) schedule appointments with various offices and individuals across campus, (2) request help on a variety of topics, and (3) search and locate information on offices and services at UND.

You can log into Starfish by clicking on Logins on the UND homepage and then selecting Starfish. A link to Starfish is also available in Blackboard once you have signed in.

Ensure Accessibility

To comply with the latest accessibility guidelines, documents posted online, including, but not limited to, Adobe PDF files, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, and online flipbooks, must be screen-reader friendly. For directions on how to make your syllabus and other course materials accessible, visit the Creating Accessible Content webpage on the TTaDA site.