Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title ECCE 1320: Observing and Assessing

Catalog Description

Credits 3
Hours/Week 3
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) ENGL 1117 and ECCE 1210
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) NA

Course Description

Children demonstrate what they know and can do through everyday experiences. Effective early childhood teachers carefully observe children throughout the day to understand children’s perspectives, interpret their development, plan curriculum, and document learning. This course builds on knowledge of child development through the study of naturalistic observation, authentic assessment, screening, formal evaluation, and documentation of learning. Students will use a variety of informal observation methods. Student will demonstrate and practice observational data collecting to analyze a child’s developmental behaviors using an assessment tool to scaffold for development and learning.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

December, 2024

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Observation protocol
  2. Observation methods
  3. Authentic assessment
  4. Interpreting observations
  5. Action plans and documentation
  6. Screening, referral, and formal evaluation

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Define reflective practitioner.
  2. Describe ongoing authentic assessment.
  3. Practice observing, recording, and assessing young children's development and learning.
  4. Use assessment tools to identify developmental progressions and range of individual variation.
  5. Apply knowledge of child development and learning.
  6. Use informal and formal assessment and evaluation strategies to plan and individualize environments, adult-child interaction, caregiving and teaching strategies, and curriculum.
  7. Reflect on and continually evaluate the effects of choices and actions on children, families, and colleagues.
  8. Examine formative and summative program evaluation instruments to enhance and maintain comprehensive program quality for children, families, and the community.
  9. Describe developmental screening and formal child assessment.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

NA

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Critical Thinking
Students will think systematically and explore information thoroughly before accepting or formulating a position or conclusion.

Special Information (if any)

None