CDFS 205, Dual Enrollment Principle & Practices

Spring 2024: 1/16/24-5/17/24

Virginia Roof - Instructor vroof@cuesta.edu

Jamie Becerra (Atascadero High School)

Welcome to CDFS 205!  I am so glad that you are here!  As we move through the learning modules together this upcoming semester, we'll be exploring the history of the early childhood education field and defining the roles and responsibilities of early childhood educators. (SCROLL DOWN to the bottom of this page to download a SAMPLE SYLLABUS and COURSE OUTLINE & CALENDAR).  We will all be pulling deeply from our personal experiences and sharing them with others to work towards a new understanding of early childhood pedagogy, environments, and interactions.

This course is entirely online via Canvas (https://cuesta.instructure.com/), including all coursework (discussions, assignments, projects, and quizzes). With the support of your High School teacher, we will work through one learning module at a time. Each module will include reading from the textbook and other scholarly articles, a video lecture from me, two or three weekly learning activities, a quiz, and some work towards completing the 2 course papers. In this online course, you will have more flexibility to complete coursework during times that work with your personal schedule. 

For this 3 unit course, Cuesta College requires you to spend 6-9 hours/week on average participating in course activities (reading, studying, viewing videos, participating in discussions, completing assignments and papers, taking quizzes, etc.). You will need to do some of that coursework as homework. I recommend reading the textbook at home as homework & completing learning activities in class. Projects are a large part of this course, so please be prepared to work collaboratively and share your learned experience with your fellow students. While discussion and sharing of ideas is encouraged, each student must complete their own work and write using their own words. 

 

Online courses at Cuesta

In online learning environments, you will need to be self-motivated, self-directed, able to follow written instructions, and have solid computer and writing skills. Is an online class right for you? Links to an external site. You can learn more about Distance Education at Cuesta College Links to an external site.  & review the FAQs Links to an external site..

 

Logging in to the Course

Please make sure that you log in to the course as soon as possible when the semester begins. If you are having trouble logging in, please contact the Support Chat Hotline Links to an external site. or e-mail: support@my.cuesta.edu.  The Tech Support Links to an external site. team at Cuesta is highly responsive & you will receive a reply promptly. Some easy fixes for log in issues:

• Log in to the course from a laptop or desktop (vs. your mobile device)
• Use a different browser (e.g., Firefox vs. Chrome)
• Clear your cache, log out, close your browser & log back in.

 

Contacting the Instructor

• I love hearing from students, so please don't hesitate to message me!
• When the semester starts, I am available online to answer questions and address any concerns using the Canvas Inbox messaging feature.  I will make every attempt to respond within 24 hours Monday-Friday.
• If you need to contact me prior to the start of start of the semester, e-mail me at vroof@cuesta.edu.
• For high school students taking this course, please be advised that you must message me directly. I cannot communicate with your parents and am not able to respond to any emails received from them.
• You are welcome to learn More about Me. Please reach out if you have any questions. I'm happy to help!

 

Required Textbook:

Stephens, C., Peterson, G., Eyrich, S. & Paris, J. (2020). Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children. College of the Canyons.

FREE, available online Links to an external site.

***Scroll to the bottom of this page to download a pdf copy*** Individual chapters will also be included in each module in Canvas.

 

Course Description:

Examines historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children birth through age eight. Explores the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. Identifies professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. Introduces best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. This class satisfies three units for the Child Development Permit and Licensing Requirements for the State of California.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

1. Compare and contrast historical and current early childhood education settings, issues, and perspectives.
2. Identify the roles, requirements, and responsibilities of early childhood teachers as professional educators.
3. Explain how foundational knowledge of child development and learning theories inform environments, pedagogy, and interactions in early care and education settings.

 

Access to the Course:

• This course will be available for you to view and get oriented several days before the semester begins.  I will be sending you a Welcome message and reminder to log in the first day of classes. 
• When the semester starts, please log in right away so that you will not be dropped from the course. I look forward to "meeting" you online soon!
• To log in, go to https://cuesta.instructure.com  and follow the instructions.
  • Your login name matches your my.cuesta login name: firstname_lastname
  • Your Canvas password also matches your my.cuesta password 
  • Once you are logged in, you will see your Canvas dashboard with a list of courses in which you are currently enrolled (you should be automatically enrolled in CDFS 205)
• If you are having technical difficulties, please contact Cuesta Tech Support at support@my.cuesta.edu or access support online Links to an external site..
• Be prepared to do reading in the textbook & complete your first weekly assignments in the first week of classes. 

 

 Support for distance learning & learning Canvas:

• Enroll in Cuesta's self-paced tutorial course for Canvas
• Online Student Readiness Tutorials Links to an external site.
• Canvas Quick Reference for Students Links to an external site.
• Canvas Student Guide

 

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, please work with your high school teacher and let me know so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You are also welcome to visit Cuesta's Disability Support Programs & Services Links to an external site. or email them directly at: dspsinfo@cuesta.edu.

 

College Policies

Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of Conduct & Academic Honesty policy Links to an external site.. I also recommend reviewing the Suggestions for Avoiding Academic Misconduct Links to an external site..

Cuesta Admissions & Registration Policies Links to an external site. outline how to add/drop classes, request records, and more.

 

Minimum Computer Requirements: 

You will need a reliable laptop or desktop and internet connection, as well as a Cuesta e-mail account (check your Cuesta email before the beginning of the semester for course updates).  Additionally, your computer needs to meet minimum system requirements to run Canvas, the web-based learning management system we are using.  Please ensure that your device meets college requirements Links to an external site..

I do not recommend relying solely on a mobile phone/device to complete coursework. The Canvas Student app works well for viewing course content and sending/receiving messages. However, creating documents, submitting coursework, and taking exams may not function properly on your mobile device.

Thanks & I look forward to “seeing” you online, 

- Virginia Roof