Early Childhood Education 201 Distance Education

Child Growth & Development

CRN #31568

Instructor: Louise Spadia-Beckham

Email: louise_spadiabeckham@cuesta.edu

Offices:

SLO Campus Room 4034 in the 4000 Applied Behavioral Sciences Building

North County Campus N2413 in the N2400 Fox Building

Office Hours By Appointment

 

Hi All,

Welcome to Early Childhood Education 201 Child Growth & Development, Distance Education, (Canvas) 9 Week, Late Start course. My name is Louise Spadia-Beckham, and I will be your Instructor for the On-Line/Distance Education version of this ECE course. This is truly one of my absolute favorite courses to teach! 

This letter is to inform you of some important details, prior to the start of the semester. Please read this entire Welcome Letter very carefully! This course will start Week 10 of the semester and you will gain access to your course on the first day of classes.

Office Hours (available to meet with students):

When the semester starts the best way to contact me, to answer questions or address any concerns, is in our course (click on the Canvas Inbox). I will make every attempt to respond quickly (within 24 hours) to your emails, Monday-Friday (before 4pm). Weekend emails will be answered Monday morning.

I am available to meet with students, in person at either my North County or my SLO office (refer to office locations in the heading). I can also be reached by phone by leaving a message at 805 546-3100 x3263. My scheduled office hours will be posted in the course Syllabus at the start of the course.

Getting Started:

If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, become familiar with Canvas before the start of class (using the resources provided) so that you can be successful. Online classes are not inherently easier than traditional classes, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more, on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely Online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes, exams) are submitted online.

There are no face-to-face meetings.

This is not a self-paced course; we will move through the material as a class, including access to assignments, quizzes, and exams. You will need to log into Canvas every week, at least 2-3 times, without exception.

• Is an online class the right choice for you?

First, go to the Online Readiness Resources Links to an external site.to take a "self-assessment”. There are many resources that were designed to help you understand online class basics and the skills necessary for success. If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class Online may NOT be for you and I strongly suggest that you Drop the Online class and enroll in a traditional face to face classroom section.

This Online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System (Canvas) as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course. In our Canvas course, you can access lectures and supplemental links/videos that support learning, complete and submit assignments and quizzes, and view your grades. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums.

Class Opens/Accessing Canvas:

Prior to the first day of class, Links to an external site.you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content. You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the Canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the Canvas log in directly.

If you are not familiar with logging into Canvas, please refer to the Canvas QuickLinks to an external site. Reference Guide. Links to an external site.Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the directions, expectations, and requirements on the course home page and in the syllabus.

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas on/after the first day of class and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu.

Regular Effective Contact policy:

Regular Instructor contact will be met through Instructor initiated discussion forums, weekly announcements, timely feedback on student assignments, email, phone, and during office hours.

ECE 201 - Child Growth and Development Course Description:

Presents a study of human development and major milestones, from conception to adolescence; including cognitive (language), physical, social and emotional development, both typical and atypical, in order to foster an understanding of human behavior. In the process of studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages.

For the official course description and course outline of record please go to CurricUNETLinks to an external site.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

• Analyze major developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence in the areas of cognitive, biosocial, psychosocial and language development using standard research methodologies.
• Identify possible causes, cultural, economic, political, and historical aspects, or sources of developmental change and explain reasons for disturbances in the developmental process.
• Identify and discuss the various theories relating to human development.
• Recognize children of all ages, cultures, and background, observe and identify similarities and differences, constructing and developing basic observational skills.
• Identify theories of self-esteem development and how to foster self-esteem development in children who exhibit typical and atypical developmental processes.
• Analyze the development of your own self esteem citing the major concepts and processes including social/environmental interactions starting with the early years progressing through to adolescence.

Required Coursework:

This course includes weekly quizzes and chapter questions (and unit exams) related to the sixteen chapters in the textbook. Additionally, there is a Playground Observation (at a community park) and an in-person Interview with a school-age child. These assignments are required (other options are not available).

Additional Expectations:

• Deadlines: Assignments in this course have firm deadlines (due dates) and students are expected to submit their work consistently on time. Late work is not accepted.

• Computer literacy: This course is Online and students are expected to learn how to navigate our course in Canvas, post a profile picture, attach and submit documents, and contact the Instructor. The Instructor is available to support a student’s course learning and Cuesta provides additional technical support.

• Preparation: (per Cuesta policy for all lecture classes) Students in a 3-unit Online class should expect nine hours of independent work each week.

• Problem-Solving: Although our first inclination is often to ask for help (with a quick email) a better choice may be to pause and trust that you can figure it out. Can you search online for the answer? Is the answer on Cuesta's website (cuesta.edu)? Can you ask another student? Can you call Cuesta or Canvas tech support to trouble-shoot? Problem-solving and initiative are both critical skills for the workplace.

Required Text Book and Materials:

The Developing Person Childhood through Adolescence, Berger, 11th Edition (McMillan Learning) + LaunchPad (the publisher's online learning tool)

• A link to purchase the loose-leaf textbook + LaunchPad (at a reduced price) will be available in our course.

Students are expected to have the textbook, with access to LaunchPad, starting week one of the semester.

Technical Support:

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browserLinks to an external site. requirements and minimum computer specifications.Links to an external site.

Accommodations:

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the Instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPSLinks to an external site. (Disabled Student Programs & Services) Links to an external site.at 805-546-3148.

College & Course Policies

Academic Honesty Policy:

Please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code ofLinks to an external site. conduct.Links to an external site.

Add / Drop Policy: In addition to the ECE 201 course drop policy, please review the Cuesta policy.

• ECE 201 Drop Policy: Students who miss the first week of assignments (Question and Learning Curve Assessments) or have not submitted 60% of assigned chapter work (at any point in the semester) and/or have not completed coursework for 2+ weeks may be dropped from the course without notice.
  • Add PolicyLinks to an external site.
  • Drop PolicyLinks to an external site.

Waitlist Policy: Please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site.

In Conclusion:

Again, on the first day of class, you will receive a VERY DETAILED course Syllabus explaining all the expectations, requirements, assignments and projects.  For now, I would recommend you purchase the required textbook listed above and possibly “get a jump” on reading the text if you can.    

Welcome to the course.  I look forward to getting to know all of you during the semester.

Best,

Louise