2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

148 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIESassessment in which students learn how their experiencemay fit into a larger picture and how they can be part ofsolutions to community issues. Prerequisite: PORTfoliostudents, PORT 121 or consent; non-PORTfolio students,no prerequisites. Identical to INST 123. Offered in selectedWinter Sessions.124 Service Learning in Hampton Roads (3)(Winter Session)Introduces and raises the civic consciousness of studentsabout issues that impact the Hampton Roads community.Fostering an attitude of engaged citizenship is its goal.Students gain an understanding of issues from social,environmental, economic and civic perspectives. Studentsare introduced to an issue-based project and investigate theissue in depth through a week of research, lecture andpresentation by local experts. This is followed by a week ofdirect service experience working with a local agency whichdeals with that issue. Reflection, assessment, considerationof broader contexts and construction of a follow-up plan tocontinue efforts addressing this issue cap the course.Identical to INST 124. Prerequisite: consent of programdirector. Offered each Winter Session.221 Problem Solving Seminar (3)A course for sophomores participating in PORTfolio. Itdevelops problem-solving skills in students by having themwork out solutions, individually and collaboratively, to“real-life” situations. Various strategies are examined andemployed culminating in “Guided Design.” Prerequisite:PORT 122. Offered each fall.225 PORTfolio Career Study (3)(Winter Session)Designed to provide an in-depth introduction to acareer field of choice, an externship experience within thatcareer field, and subsequent reporting and processing.Students spend the first week researching the career choicemade in previous PORTfolio courses and the site at whichthey will extern. The second week consists of the on-siteexternship. The final week is used to document, process andpresent the lessons learned. Final reflection and summaryare included in an updated electronic portfolio. Offeredeach Winter Session and upon request during a three-weeksummer session.311 Director’s Seminar (1)Provides a venue for PORTfolio students to investigatein depth some topic of relevance as well as have anopportunity to stay abreast of current developments incareer and graduate school planning. The class meets oncea week over dinner with visiting speakers and presentationsby Career Services staff. Prerequisite: sophomore status inthe PORTfolio program or consent of the program director.Offered each fall or on demand.420 President’s Senior Seminar (1)Provides the capstone to the PORTfolio experience.This seminar, taught by the President of Virginia WesleyanCollege, focuses on ethical values, commitment tocommunity and ways in which students can put theirliberal learning to work for the “good,” personally andcollectively. Prerequisite: senior status in PORTfolio.Corequisite: PORT 421. Offered each spring.421 Senior Synthesis and Segue (2)Provides the capstone to the PORTfolio experience.Students reflect, synthesize and write about their four yearsof learning experiences. A focus on ethical values allowsstudents to discover ways in which they can put their liberallearning “to work” for the common good. Emphasizingresponsibilities to oneself, to each other, and to thecommunity, the transition from college to “the rest of theirlives” is explored and prepared. The student’s electronicportfolio is finalized through the addition of theirreflections, synthesis, explorations, and preparations. Prerequisite:senior status in PORTfolio. Corequisite: PORT420. Offered each spring.PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT SERIESThe professional development series of courses isdesigned for individuals currently teaching in a classroomsetting. Teachers are provided insight and direction inpreparation for obtaining National Board Certification.Questions should be directed to Mr. Thomas R. Farley inthe Adult Studies Program office.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTSERIES COURSES (PDS)NB1 Professional Development andPre-Candidacy for NationalBoard Certification (3 non-degree)Designed for individuals who are currently teaching in aclassroom setting. Teachers are introduced to the mission,goals, and processes of the National Board for ProfessionalTeaching Standards. At the same time they explore anddetermine their levels of interest in seeking National BoardCertification. While the course encourages teachers to seekNational Board Certification, it also serves as anopportunity for teachers to critically consider strategies toimprove their teaching and to impact student learning.Teachers investigate and demonstrate “best teachingpractices” across their specific curricula and grade level(K-12) through use of professional journals and referencematerials, production of a professional reading report,designing and executing a content improvement plan,videotaping a lesson, implementing new differentiatedinstructional strategies, and creating an essay about thevideotaped lesson with learning strategy implementationusing descriptive, analytical and reflective writing. Pass/failgrading. Offered fall, spring, and summer semesters.