Lectures: Th 1-1:50pm, POT 843
Prof. Matthew W. Wilson
Email: matthew.w.wilson@uky.edu
Twitter: @wilsonism
Office: Patterson Office Tower (POT) 815
Office Hours: email for an appointment
This seminar provides an introduction to teaching with particular focus on pedagogical issues in geography. At the completion of this course, students will have a background sufficient to enable them to assume full responsibility for university and college-level courses.
By placing teaching practices directly under scrutiny, this course shall:
By the completion of this practicum, students shall be able to articulate their own vision for teaching while demonstrating techniques that enable that vision, while situating this philosophy in the context of changes in higher education. More specifically, students will:
This course will be composed primarily of discussions and in-class activities. Students will also be required to schedule, attend, evaluate, and report on one lower-division and one upper-division undergraduate class session during the term.
There will be some required texts for some seminar discussions. Students will be responsible for gaining access to these texts from UK Libraries. Consult the course calendar below for a reading schedule (subject to change). You are attending a research 1 university, taking classes with people who do original research. As such, you may have the opportunity to read journal articles and book chapters published by your professors. Professors are not paid royalties for these publications, but they are how information is disseminated for the academic community.
Students will be assessed in this practicum, for a total of 100 points:
Final grades will be based on a standard scale, i.e., A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; E=less than 60%. Grades for all assignments will be available via the University of Kentucky Canvas system (http://uk.instructure.com).
Two reports will be required: one based on evaluation of a lower-division undergraduate course and one based on evaluation of an upper-division undergraduate course. Courses must be in Geography. Students are required to schedule the observation with the primary instructor (cannot be a graduate student instructor). Reports must be no more than 2-pages double-spaced, addressing (1) techniques and technologies, (2) style and performance, (3) engagement and learning.
Each scheduled meeting will be composed of discussions and exercises. The exact format will vary from week to week. Students are required to attend, to gain credit for these activities.
A teaching philosophy is a document that outlines a vision of teaching and learning. After reviewing and evaluating examples of teaching philosophies, students will iteratively produce their own teaching philosophy. The teaching philosophy must be no more than 3-pages double-spaced.
Review the course syllabus carefully, paying special attention to due dates and assignment instructions. If you have questions about course expectations as overviewed by this syllabus, please contact me as soon as possible.
There are many in-class activities that will require your attendance.
You are responsible for checking your UKY email account; Canvas is what will be used to send communications outside class. Email is the best way to contact the instructor. Please allow at least 24 hours for a response by email during weekdays. The instructor will not necessarily respond to emails over the weekends.
Students are strongly encouraged to exchange contact information with classmates, in order to facilitate the objectives of this studio.
Meetings of this course may be recorded. All video and audio recordings of lecturers and class meetings, provided by the instructors, are for educational use by students in this class only. They are available only through the Canvas shell for this course and are not to be copied, shared, or redistributed.
The University of Kentucky Student Code of Conduct defines Invasion of Privacy as using electronic or other devices to make a photographic, audio, or video record of any person without their prior knowledge or consent when such a recording is likely to cause injury or distress. As addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, students are expected to follow appropriate university policies and maintain the security of linkblue accounts used to access recorded class materials. Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not enrolled in the class, or uploaded to other online environments.
If the instructor or a University of Kentucky office plans any other uses for the recordings, beyond this class, students identifiable in the recordings will be notified to request consent prior to such use. In anticipation of such cases, students may be asked to complete an “authorization of use” form by a faculty member.
Video and audio recordings by students are not permitted during the class unless the student has received prior permission from the instructor. Any sharing, distribution, and or uploading of these recordings outside of the parameters of the class is prohibited. Students with specific recording accommodations approved by the Disability Resource Center should present their official documentation to the instructor.
All content for this course, including handouts, assignments, and lectures are the intellectual property of the instructors and cannot be reproduced or sold without prior permission from the instructors. A student may use the material for reasonable educational and professional purposes extending beyond this class, such as studying for a comprehensive or qualifying examination in a degree program, preparing for a professional or certification examination, or to assist in fulfilling responsibilities at a job or internship.
If you are having difficulty with any course material, please contact the instructor. There are also other resources which you might find useful:
Meeting deadlines is an important professional practice. Consult the course schedule, below, for the due dates of the course assignments. A 10-percent deduction will be applied to the final score of your assignment for submissions after the deadline on the same calendar day, with an additional 10-percent deduction for each additional calendar day the assignment is late. If the assignment is not delivered by the next class meeting, the assignment will not be accepted.
This course, if successful, will expose students to a variety of concepts and techniques. Students are expected to draw upon these various ideas, but they must be transparent and honest about their use of these ideas. Students should get help if they are uncertain about this expectation. Per university policy, students shall not plagiarize, cheat, or falsify or misuse academic records. Students should familiarize themselves with definitions regarding plagiarism (available at https://ombud.uky.edu/students/what-plagiarism) and cheating (available at https://ombud.uky.edu/students/what-cheating. Please note: Any assignment students turn in may be submitted to an electronic database to check for plagiarism.
Students should at all times be respectful of fellow students, the professor or teaching assistant(s), and the University of Kentucky. Some basic reminders:
The University of Kentucky is committed to our core values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and human dignity, and a sense of community (Governing Regulations XIV, available at https://www.uky.edu/regs/gr14). We acknowledge and respect the seen and unseen diverse identities and experiences of all members of the university community (https://www.uky.edu/regs/gr14). These identities include but are not limited to those based on race, ethnicity, gender identity and expressions, ideas and perspectives, religious and cultural beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ability, and socioeconomic status. We are committed to equity and justice and providing a learning and engaging community in which every member is engaged, heard, and valued.
We strive to rectify and change behavior that is inconsistent with our principles and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If students encounter such behavior in a course, they are encouraged to speak with the instructor of record and/or the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity (available at https://www.uky.edu/eeo/). Students may also contact a faculty member within the department, program director, the director of undergraduate or graduate studies, the department chair, any college administrator, or the dean. All of these individuals are mandatory reporters under University policies.
To learn more about campus-wide policies on Excused Absences and Acceptable Excuses, Religious Observances, Verification of Absences, Make-Up Work, Excused Absences for Military Duties, Unexcused Absences, Prep Week and Reading Days, Accommodation Due to Disability, Non-Discrimination Statement and Title IX Information, students should refer to Academic Policy Statements (available at https://provost.uky.edu/proposals/guidance-course-proposals/standard-academic-policy-statements). Students should contact the instructor with any questions regarding these policies.
Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our campus community. While the University of Kentucky Police Department continues to enhance campus safety measures, it’s important to remember that everyone has a responsibility in keeping our community safe. To find more information visit https://police.uky.edu/emergency-response-guide created by the University of Kentucky Police Department.
Emergency Reporting & Action Reporting: If there is an emergency, DIAL 911. To report suspicious activity or non-emergency situations, call the UK Police Department at 859-257-8573 or #UKPD from any mobile phone. If an emergency occurs in a classroom or residence hall with a red emergency button, press to quickly notify UKPD. Emergency responders will immediately be dispatched to your location. Action: During an emergency, you are responsible for your own safety. If an emergency occurs during class, your instructor will provide further direction based on university and department emergency plans.
Warning Systems UK Alert: The university provides emergency notifications through UK Alert, which sends messages via email, text message, phone calls, building alarm systems, digital signage, social media and outdoor sirens. If you receive a UK Alert message during class, notify your instructor and classmates immediately. For more information, visit https://police.uky.edu/get-notified/uk-alert. LiveSafe: The university provides additional emergency preparedness information and safety tools through LiveSafe, a free mobile app for iOS and Android. You can report suspicious activity, message with UK Police and virtually escort your friends through the SafeWalk tool. For more information, visit https://police.uky.edu/safety/livesafe. Blue Emergency Towers: Blue Emergency Notification Towers are strategically placed at over 50 locations across campus to provide outdoor alert tones and broadcast emergency messages with loud speakers. Each tower also features an emergency push button speaker phone that reaches UKPD and a camera mounted above the tower. For more information, visit https://police.uky.edu/safety/blue-emergency-towers.
Medical Emergency If there is a medical emergency, dial 911 and do not act outside the scope of your medical training. After dialing 911, inform your instructor of the situation.
Evacuation It is required to evacuate for a fire alarm or when university officials order us to do so. Evacuation routes are marked with illuminated exit signs throughout the building. Avoid using elevators during any evacuation.
Emergency Sheltering Storm Sheltering: Report to the recommended shelter locations. Recommended shelter locations are marked throughout the building. If shelter locations are unavailable, protect yourself from lightning and flying debris by moving to an interior room or hallway on the building’s lowest level. Avoid outside doors and windows and get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Shelter-in-Place: If a shelter-in-place order is issued, you will learn about this through UK Alert, the university’s emergency notification system. If you are inside, stay where you are unless the building you are in is affected. If the building is affected, and the fire alarm has been activated or directed by law enforcement, you should evacuate. If you are outdoors, proceed into the closest UK building or follow instructions from emergency personnel or alerts. It is ideal to shelter-in-place in an interior room with the fewest or no windows and no doors to the outside if possible. Shut all windows and close exterior doors. If a hazardous chemical release occurs outside the building, follow these same procedures.
Active Aggressor In a situation where an aggressor is trying to attack you or others, follow three steps:
Subject to change.
| Week | Thursday |
|---|---|
| 1: Aug. 29 |
CLASS WILL NOT MEET |
| 2: Sep. 5 |
Course introductions, syllabus Course policies Activity: Compare and Evaluate Syllabi |
| 3: Sep. 12 |
CLASS WILL NOT MEET Schedule/complete course observations. |
| 4: Sep. 19 |
Read Roberts 2000 Lesson planning and visual materials Activity: Draft a Lesson Plan |
| 5: Sep. 26 |
Read Fritzsche 2022 Inclusive learning environments |
| 6: Oct. 3 |
Examinations Reviews and managing expectations Activity: Draft Exam Questions Turn in Report 1 |
| 7: Oct. 10 |
Read Elwood & Wilson 2017 Classroom technologies and participation Social networks and back-channeling Activity: Draft a Technology Policy/Plan |
| 8: Oct. 17 |
Read Dowling 2008 Shifts in higher education Neoliberalism and the university |
| 9: Oct. 24 |
CLASS WILL NOT MEET Schedule/complete course observations. |
| 10: Oct. 31 |
Read Curran & Roberts 2001 Style and performance Activity: Practice Lesson Plan Delivery |
| 11: Nov. 7 |
Read Kaserman & Wilson 2009 Required readings Reading groups and discussions Activity: Draft a Teaching Philosophy Turn in Report 2 |
| 12: Nov. 14 |
Read Schwedeman 1936 Teaching philosophies Activity: Evaluate Teaching Philosophies |
| 13: Nov. 21 |
CLASS WILL NOT MEET Revise Teaching Philosophies |
| 14: Nov. 28 |
NO CLASS Thanksgiving Holiday |
| 15: Dec. 5 |
Practicum Wrap-up Teaching Philosophy Due by 5pm on Canvas |
Curran, Mary, and Susan M. Roberts. 2001. “Dilemmas of Difference: Teaching the ‘Non-West’ Critically.” International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education no. 10 (2):179-183.
Dowling, Robyn. 2008. “Geographies of identity: labouring in the ‘neoliberal’ university.” Progress in Human Geography no. 32 (6):812-820.
Elwood, Sarah, and Matthew W. Wilson. 2017. Critical GIS pedagogies beyond ‘Week 10: Ethics’. International Journal of Geographical Information Science no. 31 (10): 2098-2116.
Fritzsche, Lauren. 2022. “Integrating contemplative pedagogy and anti-oppressive pedagogy in geography higher education classrooms.” Journal of Geography in Higher Education 46 (2):167-184.
Kaserman, Bonnie, and Matthew W. Wilson. 2009. “On not wanting it to count: Reading together as resistance.” Area no. 41 (1):26-33.
Roberts, Susan. 2000. “Realizing critical geographies of the university.” Antipode no. 32 (3):230-244.
Schwendeman, Joseph R. 1936. “Human Geography for the Senior High School.” Journal of Geography no. 35:111-117.
Tufte, Edward R. 2003. The cognitive style of PowerPoint. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.