The conceptual framework for the professional education unit at Kent State University is based on the university mission that we prepare students for responsible citizenship and productive careers, broaden intellectual perspectives, and foster ethical and humanitarian values. Student learning is at the center of our framework for professional education. Teacher candidates emerge from their programs of study as quality professional educators grounded in the following values and behaviors:
IN-DEPTH CONTENT KNOWLEDGE:
- Knows and understands discipline-specific content and pedagogy
- Places knowledge in a broader context and integrates it with other content areas
- Seeks out and uses creative, innovative, and content-appropriate teaching methods
LEARNER-CENTERED PEDAGOGY:
- Understands how students learn
- Facilitates inquiry-based learning, problem solving, and authentic assessment
- Creates a learning environment that helps students build on prior knowledge
- Uses technology in an ethical, critical, and creative manner as a means to acquire, provide, organize, and communicate knowledge
ETHICAL AND CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE PRACTICES:
- Exemplifies the highest ethical standards of the education profession
- Values the richness of human differences and understands the implications of these differences in a socially stratified society
- Adapts assessments, pedagogy, and educational programs to individual differences, with particular attention to those differences that reflect social inequalities
- Understands the importance public education in a democracy
- Advocates for students and families in ways that are culturally responsive and knowledgeable
INFORMED REFLECTIVE PRACTICE:
- Draws on research, theory, multiple fields of knowledge, and aesthetic awareness for the development of curriculum, pedagogy, and educational programs
- Employs the iterative process of action, observation, and reflection as the basis of improving practice
- Uses multiple sources of data to plan, revise, and enact curriculum and educational programs
PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION
- Understands the role of other professional educators and ancillary personnel
- Demonstrates leadership for educating all children in collaboration with educators, agencies, families, and communities
- Values and demonstrates commitment to on-going professional development
Developed and endorsed by the University Council on Teacher Education, May 2005. Revised November 2007.
During capstone student teaching experiences, teacher candidates are assessed in domains related to the above values and behaviors, specifically in domains of teaching related to content knowledge, implementation of strategies to ensure teaching for learning, establishing effective learning environments, and commitment to professional practice.
These domains are themselves connected to the strategic directions of Kent State University seeking to:
- Create innovations in learning,
- Engage the world,
- Focus on those we serve and
- Build and sustain partnerships
