Conceptual Framework

Creative Decision Maker is the metaphor used by the College of Education and Professional Studies to describe the philosophical principles governing P-12 teachers and other professional school personnel preparation.  Creative implies that the education professional goes beyond the acquisition of basic knowledge of facts to produce new and imaginative experiences and environments through which learning can take place. Decision Maker denotes the ability to make choices, draw conclusions, resolve issues, assess knowledge and skills, evaluate the results, and use these results to make judgments regarding the educational process.  Outlined below are the eight learning outcomes of the Conceptual Framework that serve as the formative foundation for developing the Creative Decision Maker at JSU. The learning outcomes are aligned with the Interstate New Teacher assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) standards.

Learning Outcomes for the Creative Decision Maker

       I.      Educational Theory and Research

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles demonstrate the ability to apply “best practices” in teaching that are research and knowledge based. (INTASC Principle 7)

    II.         Content Pedagogy

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles demonstrate appropriate pedagogical content knowledge to help all students learn. (INTASC Principle 1)

 III.         Diverse Learners

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles exhibit knowledge, competence, and sensitivity working with diverse populations in diverse settings to maximize student development. (INTASC Principles 2 & 3)

IV.       Teaching Strategies and Techniques

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles learn to apply a variety of teaching techniques and technologies that address the needs of P-12 learners. (INTASC Principle 4)

V.        Professionalism

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles understand and demonstrate the qualities and dispositions associated with professional collegial activities. (INTASC Principles 9 & 10)

VI.              Educational Environments  

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles learn to create appropriate interactive learning environments for the needs of P-12 learners. (INTASC Principle 5)

VII.           Communication and Technology

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles apply appropriate effective communication and classroom technology skills to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity when used with traditional instructional tools. (INTASC Principle 6)

VIII.                    Assessment

Teacher candidates and candidates for other professional school personnel roles understand and apply various assessment strategies and techniques to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual and social development of the learner. (INTASC Principle 8)

The purpose of the Conceptual Framework of the College of Education and Professional Studies is to provide developing professionals with a frame of reference by which decisions are made quickly, purposefully, and effectively.  It is our belief that decision making is best learned in practical and authentic situations.  Given this philosophy, the Creative Decision Maker is guided through various levels of experiences from the academic classroom to genuine educational practice.  Specific levels of experience include: the college classroom, school based practica, preservice teaching, and the first two-year support program.

The College of Education and Professional Studies has three areas of national accreditation. ADA, NCATE and NAIT

Family and Consumer Sciences is accredited by ADA

The Department of Technology is accredited by NAIT

Jacksonville State University

www.jsu.edu

Dr. Cynthia Harper, Dean

(256) 782-5445

charper@jsu.edu

College of Education and Professional Studies

(256) 782-5445

www.jsu.edu/depart/edprof/