Methods of Teaching in the Secondary Content Area

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Declan Brennan (Associate Professor of Teacher Education)
• Email: dbrennan@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 126
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Friday: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 126)
  • Wednesday: 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Unit and lesson design, instructional strategies, and assessment in the candidate's licensure content area, with microteaching and a field placement. EDUC 370 serves as the intensive pedagogical methods course for secondary teacher candidates preparing for clinical student teaching in biology, chemistry, English, history, or mathematics. Grounded in the Understanding by Design (UbD) backward design framework, candidates learn to craft multi-week instructional units that align enduring understandings and essential questions with rigorous formative and summative assessments. The course integrates clinical microteaching cycles with video analysis and a concurrent clinical field placement in secondary partner schools, developing candidates' capacity to facilitate engaging classroom discussions, manage group inquiry, and differentiate instruction.

Prerequisites

Admission to Teacher Education and EDUC 350.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of EDUC 370, students will be able to:

1. Apply Backward Design (UbD) to Secondary Curricula: Design comprehensive secondary unit plans aligning stage 1 desired results (standards, essential questions, enduring understandings) with stage 2 assessment evidence and stage 3 learning experiences.
2. Facilitate Productive Secondary Classroom Discussions: Execute teacher talk moves, higher-order questioning sequences, and dialogic discussion formats that promote adolescent critical thinking and student voice.
3. Implement Diverse Disciplinary Instructional Models: Plan and enact direct instruction, guided inquiry, cooperative learning structures (e.g., jigsaws, academic controversies), and problem-based investigations within the candidate's content area.
4. Engage in Video-Recorded Microteaching and Reflective Coaching: Deliver peer microteaching lessons, analyze video-recorded instructional moves against InTASC standards, and iteratively refine pedagogical strategies based on peer and instructor feedback.
5. Demonstrate Clinical Competence in Secondary Field Placements: Complete clinical field placement requirements in an assigned secondary partner school classroom, collaborating with a licensed cooperating teacher to deliver standards-based instruction.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Wiggins, Grant, and Jay McTighe. Understanding by Design. 2nd ed., ASCD, 2005. Approx. $35 print or digital.
2. Lemov, Doug. Teach Like a Champion 3.0: 63 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College. Jossey-Bass, 2021. Approx. $35 print or digital.
3. Total estimated cost: $60 to $80.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), EDUC 370 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to brainstorm real-world scenario hooks for secondary lessons, generate draft variations of assessment rubrics, and polish draft narrative sections of your unit plan for clarity.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write your Understanding by Design (UbD) unit plan, fabricate clinical field placement teaching logs, draft peer microteaching evaluations, or complete weekly Canvas quizzes. All pedagogical designs must represent your authentic disciplinary planning.
• Disclosure: All submitted lesson plans, microteaching reflections, and unit portfolios must include an AI disclosure statement detailing any tools used, specific queries submitted, and how AI suggestions were evaluated and modified. If no AI tools were used, state: 'No generative AI tools were used in preparing this work.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 15% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Examination 2: 15% (In class, Thursday, November 12)
• Microteaching Cycle & Video Reflection Analysis: 20% (Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Secondary Clinical Field Placement Teaching Demonstration: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Secondary Methods Canvas Quizzes: 15% (Due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas; lowest quiz score dropped)
• Secondary Content Unit Plan & Clinical Teaching Portfolio: 20% (Due by the end of the final exam period, Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 1:30–3:30 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in EDUC 370.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance and full commitment to peer microteaching and clinical field requirements are mandatory. This methods course relies on interactive rehearsals, video analysis, and simulated classroom teaching that cannot be duplicated outside of class. If an illness or family emergency arises, notify Dr. Brennan immediately. Accumulating more than two unexcused absences will result in a lower course grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Assignments submitted after the deadline will be penalized 10% per calendar day up to three days. Submissions after 72 hours will receive no credit. Weekly Canvas quizzes must be completed by the Monday deadline.

Teacher Education Admission and Prerequisite Standards

Enrollment in EDUC 370 requires formal Admission to Teacher Education (at least 45 credits, 2.750 cumulative GPA, background clearance, and basic skills exam) and completion of EDUC 350. Candidates must earn a minimum grade of C+ in EDUC 370 to qualify for EDUC 385 Secondary Practicum & Pre-Student Teaching.

Clinical Field Placement Requirement

Candidates must complete all required clinical field placement observations and the supervised teaching demonstration in their assigned secondary partner school classroom. Completion of clinical documentation signed by the cooperating teacher is required to pass the course.

Final Exam Policy

EDUC 370 has no final examination. The secondary content unit plan & clinical teaching portfolio takes its place. Nothing is due on Reading Day (Thursday, December 10, 2026).