University of Minnesota, Morris Division of Education’s conceptual framework describes the discipline’s intellectual philosophy and institutional standards, which distinguish Morris graduates from those of another institution. It reflects the teacher education program’s vision and mission, and provides direction for programs, courses, teaching, candidate performance, scholarship, service, and unit accountability. The conceptual framework is knowledge-based, articulated, shared, coherent, consistent with the unit and/or institutional mission, and continuously evaluated.
Objectives
Coursework and clinical experiences in teacher education are designed to meet standards of effective practice required for licensure and provide perspective teachers with opportunities to:
- Understand central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of disciplines taught in elementary and secondary schools;
- Understand child and adolescent development theory, individual and group motivation, and diversity among learners;
- Create instructional opportunities adapted to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds, and with exceptionalities;
- Use instructional strategies and technologies that reflect personal knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques;
- Encourage development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills;
- Understand and use formative and summative methods of student assessment;
- Plan and manage instruction;
- Engage in reflection and self-assessment; and
- Collaborate with parents/ guardians, family, school colleagues, and the community in an ethical manner.