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Conceptual Framework
A LOOK AT THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
At the center of NEIU's College of Education conceptual framework is the theme: Reflective Professionals Building Learning Communities. A set of belief statements and professional attitudes has been established to provide assumptions regarding the kind of reflective professionals NEIU strives to develop.
Every program in the College has designed its curriculum around a knowledge base consisting of four components: 1) knowledge of learners 2) knowledge of schools 3) knowledge of communities 4) knowledge of professional self.
Fourteen performance standards provide a means of demonstrating knowledge, skills and dispositions within each professional program's curriculum. These standards are also the organizing framework for candidates' program portfolios and related performance assessments.
Performance standards are based upon the belief that the preparation of reflective professionals involves a strong foundation in general education, academic specialization, and professional education.
The theme of the NEIU College of Education is:
Reflective Professionals Building Learning Communities
This theme mirrors the components of an increasingly complex world. More than just teaching students a body of knowledge, today‘s effective education professional must be able to shape an environment that encourages students to become lifelong learners both in and outside of the traditional classroom setting.
PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDES
Every program within the College has adopted the following dispositions as expected professional attitudes for reflective professionals
- NEIU candidates are committed to acquiring an extensive knowledge base and seeking out opportunities to develop, demonstrate and apply that knowledge to their professions.
- NEIU candidates value and promote the skills of effective decision-making, critical analysis and synthesis of information in linking theory and practice.
- NEIU candidates value and promote the creation of environments conducive to building learning communities.
- NEIU candidates engage in critical reflective thinking as an integral part of their professional interactions.
- NEIU candidates value human diversity and respect varied talents and perspectives.
- NEIU candidates are guided by a personal professional philosophy that exemplifies individual identity and integrity.
- NEIU candidates value and promote lifelong learning.
- NEIU candidates value learning communities of professionals, parents, students, the community and professional organizations developed through communication, collaboration, and leadership.
KNOWLEDGE BASE
Every program in the College of Education has designed its curriculum around a knowledge base consisting of four components:
- Knowledge of learners
- Knowledge of schools
- Knowledge of communities
- Knowledge of professional self
While specifics of a knowledge base will vary from program to program, each program’s knowledge base is characterized by the above four components.
BELIEF STATEMENTS
With the above theme in mind, the College has set forth a set of belief statements that provide assumptions regarding the kind of reflective professionals NEIU strives to develop.
The reflective professional building learning communities:
- Has an extensive knowledge base and demonstrates and applies that knowledge to career roles
- Is an effective decision maker, making decisions reflectively based upon critical analysis and synthesis of information linking theory and practice
- Creates environments conducive to building learning communities.
- Possesses higher level thinking skills.
- Is committed to lifelong learning
- Interacts effectively with others and promotes self-worth.
- Develops a personal approach to profession, keeping in mind individual identity and integrity while guided by tenets of pedagogy and concepts of diversity.
- Is committed to the concept of a learning community and enhancing communication, collaboration, and leadership among professionals, parents and students, the community and professional organizations.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Candidates in the College of Education's professional programs are expected to meet fourteen specific performance standards. These standards provide a means of demonstrating knowledge, skills and dispositions within each program's curriculum and are based upon the belief that the preparation of reflective professionals involves a strong foundation in general education, academic specialization, and professional education.
Additionally the performance standards represent the organizing framework for candidates' program portfolios and related performance assessments, which occur at the time of program entrance, at designated benchmarks in the program, and at program exit. Alumni and employer surveys serve as further evidence of successful performance of NEIU College of Education graduates.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 2
FOUNDATIONS: NEIU candidates demonstrate, articulate, and apply in practice knowledge of the socio-historical, psychological, and philosophical nature of teaching and learning; and are able to both articulate a personal philosophy of teaching and learning, and demonstrate its application in practice.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: NEIU candidates understand how children and adults learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social and personal development.
ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE: NEIU candidates understand the context/culture in which they are employed and they are able to apply this knowledge as a learner advocate.
LEARNING STYLES: NEIU candidates understand how learners differ and specifically adapt their approaches to learning and creating learning opportunities to meet the needs of diverse learners.
INSTRUCTION: NEIU candidates understand and use a variety of strategies to encourage learners' development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills.
CONTENT: NEIU candidates plan learning experiences based upon in-depth knowledge of subject matter, learners, the community, the curriculum, educational goals and best practice.
MOTIVATION: NEIU candidates use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning
environment that encourages positive social interactions, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
COMMUNICATION/TECHNOLOGY: NEIU candidates use knowledge of effective communication techniques including verbal, nonverbal, media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the learning environment.
ASSESSMENT: NEIU candidates understand and use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous cognitive, affective, social and physical development of the learner
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: NEIU candidates are reflective practitioners who continually evaluate the effects of their choices and actions on others (students, parents and other professionals in the learning community) and actively seek out opportunities to grow professionally.
COLLABORATION: NEIU candidates foster positive relationships with colleagues, families and agencies in the larger community to support learners’ development and well-being.
RESEARCH: NEIU candidates understand the current research on teaching and learning and demonstrate its application in their current practice.
DIVERSITY: NEIU candidates understand the value of cultural diversity and individual differences and demonstrate the application of these values in their current practice.
LEADERSHIP: NEIU candidates take leadership roles in their profession and/or community.
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