MUS 401 - Field Experience in Music Education (1)

Spring, 2008

Instructors: Daniel Johnson, Ph.D. John Rack, Ph.D. Joe Hickman, D.M.

Office: CA 1056 CA 1053 CA 1060

Hours: TBA TBA TBA

Phone: 962-7559 962-3729 962-7104

Email: johnsond@uncw.edu rackj@uncw.edu hickmanj@uncw.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Designed to provide extended supervised experiences with K-12 music students. Observation and reflection; application of pedagogy.

Students attend once weekly for seven weeks a school site assigned in an area or level of music education other than their anticipated student-teaching placement, followed by a different site and setting for the next seven weeks. These areas are selected from middle or high school-level chorus, band, or orchestra, or elementary general music.

In this the final field experience before student teaching, students are further developing their ability to reflect upon their practice, to implement appropriate communication strategies, and to strive to meet the needs of all learners.

Observation, assisting, and part-time teaching responsibilities comprise the activities in this field experience. Guidance and supervision will be provided by the partnership teachers and a university instructor.

PREREQUISITES:

Successful completion of MUS 326: Classroom Music Methods and either MUS 377: Choral Methods or MUS 373: Instrumental Methods.

EXPECTATIONS:

1. While in the public schools, students are expected to exemplify their commitment to professional standards. This includes wearing appropriate attire for a public school employee, always signing in and out at the office, and turning off all cell phones during school hours.

2. Students must have a Taskstream account. Obtain this through the Watson School of Education if you have not done so already in EDN 200. This provides a web-based approach to sharing observations and lesson plans.

3. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 14 hours in the public schools, one hour per week. Contact your partnership teacher and university instructor if you must be absent. Whenever possible reschedule for a time in the same week and inform the university instructor.

ASSIGNMENTS:

A written observation is required for each visit to the public school. The observation should give an account of the events during instruction and include personal reflection on the teaching approach, achievement of objectives, etc.. A lesson plan should be submitted to the partnership teacher and university instructor prior to each teaching opportunity. Following each class taught a reflection is required.

The student will be observed on-site at both placements by a university instructor periodically during the semester and receive written feedback in a format consistent with the coaching plan which will be used in EDN 409. At the conclusion of each field experience placement, the student’s written assignments and teaching experiences will be evaluated by both the partnership teacher and the university instructor.

GRADING:

A = Completed 14 sessions; written observations, lesson plans, and reflections completed generally conscientiously and on time. No more than an occasional minor details missing, or one assignment late.

B = One session missed; 2-3 late written assignments, but all completed. Some details missing.

C = Two sessions missed; often late with written assignments, generally missing details, or 1-2 assignments missing.

D = Three sessions missed; habitually late with written assignments and careless in preparation, or 3-4 assignments missing.

F = Four or more sessions missed; five or more written assignments missing.

The above schedule and procedures for this course are subject to change by the instructor(s). In the event of any change, students will be given at least one week’s notice before they take effect.

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE:

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is committed to the proposition that the pursuit of truth requires the presence of honesty among all involved. It is therefore this institution's stated policy that no form of dishonesty among its faculty or students will be tolerated. Although members of the university community are encouraged to report occurrences of dishonesty, each individual is principally responsible for his or her own honesty. 

All students are encouraged to read section V "Academic Honor Code", in the UNCW Student Handbook, for definitions of plagiarism, bribery, and cheating, and the procedures for reporting and adjudication of any activities involving student dishonesty.

UNCW practices a zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind. For emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-3184, or Wilmington Police at 911. For University or community resources visit http://uncw.edu/wrc/crisis.htm.