EDUC 3400 Glenys MacLeod

Educational Settings

and the Sociology of

Learning

Friday, July 4 2014

Intent:1. Review course outline, assignments and timeline,

2. What is sociology?

3. What are the characteristics of our society?

4. How can we measure the success of a society?

4. Reflection Assignment #1

Course OutlineEducational Settings and the Sociology of

Learning EDUC 3400

This course is an introduction to the study of learning utilizing sociological principles. Social factors affecting teaching and learning will be examined. It will consider educational settings as learning environments, examining such features as the social characteristics of students, schools and their surroundings, that have an impact on school performance. Some attention is given to a consideration of the relationship between school learning environments and educational reform.  

Course Objectives:

• To examine the relationship between education and society,

• To discuss the role of education and in Canada,• To explore the role of factors such as gender,

ethnicity, class and disabilities in social reproduction, in social capital, in teaching and learning, in the education system and in society.

Wotherspoon, Terry. (2009). The Sociology of Education in Canada. Third Edition. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press Canada.

 

Assignments

Reflection Assignments 30% Each classReflect or respond to a relevant issue or specific question form our class discussions. Criteria for these assignments will be developed during our first class. Length: 1 - 1 ½ typed, double spaced pages (approximately 300 words)  

Educational Settings 20% July 14Choose two educational settings. Provide a physical description of the settings. Discuss the learning objectives, the curriculum and teaching strategies present. Compare the social factors that contribute to a learner’s success in each environment making reference to topics discussed in the first four classes. Length: 3 - 4 typed, double spaced pages (750 - 1000 words).  

Inequality in Educational Settings Presentations 20% July 25 and 28In this 15—20 minute presentation individual students or student groups will discus a dimension of Educational Inequality. The discussion will focus on the factors surrounding this type of inequality , the effect on individual student learning, the impact on the classroom and school community, support for the learner and examples from the field.

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/assess/docs/report_card/full_doc.pdf

Final Project 30% July 30Design and implement a study to investigate a relevant social factor in an educational setting. Your study will include a clearly stated research question, a summary of the current research, any historical influences, methodology (how will you collect data to answer your question), data (such as observations, surveys, formal or informal interviews, a review of research etc.) a discussion of your findings, connections to other social factors and implications for employment and life long learning. Length: 7 - 8 typed, double spaced pages (1500 - 2000 words)You will share a Final Project Proposal, a 2 or 3 minute summary of your research ideas (Study question, how will you go about answering your questions? Who will be involved? (how will you ensure the privacy of those involved? How can we support you in your study?) on Monday, July 15.

 

What is Sociology?

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Strategy Learning Outcome Notes

Picture page inquiry

- Accessing prior knowledge

- Areas of focus- Learning behaviours

What might this image be saying about society?

Please add your ideas, comments, questions

here.

Sociology

The scientific study of society including patterns of social relationships, social interactions and culture.

Auguste Compte, 1830, synthetic science uniting all knowledge about human activity. Sociologists study human interactions between two people (micro) to complex multination relationships (macro).  Dictionary of social sciences, Craig Calhoun, 2002, New York, Oxford University Press

How can we measure the success of a society?

Reflection Assignment #1Options Do only 1

“We create society at the same time as we are created by it.” Anthony Gidden

Illustrate this quote through words, drawing, models…  Create an analogy to describe school. Create an analogy to describe society.Society is like… 

For Monday… Learning the Student Role Reflection Assignment