EPI0002 - Instructional Strategies

EPI Contact Info.

EDUCATOR PREPARATION INSTITUTE (EPI) OFFICE: WST-128, Winter Haven Campus
Phone: (863) 298-6812

EPI Mission and Program Outcomes

Polk State College, a quality-driven institution serving Polk County and beyond, transforms students’ lives through the power of teaching and lifelong learning by providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates, and workforce employment programs, delivered through various modalities and innovative technologies and by diverse, qualified faculty and staff. In line with this purpose, Polk State College’s Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) is committed to recruiting, supporting, producing, and placing highly-qualified, workforce-ready teachers in K-12 schools in Florida with an emphasis on high-need subject areas and specializations in Math, ESE, ESOL, and Science.

A primary focus of this course is the development of competencies; through this course, the student must:

1. Create rigorous lesson plans using research-based teaching strategies to help students achieve mastery.
2. Apply differentiated instructional strategies to meet students’ learning styles.
3. Use components of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and the Uniform Core Curricula.
4. Select assessments to monitor learning.
5. Choose effective accommodations for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners and Students with Disabilities (SWDs).

I. Florida Educator Accomplished Practices

A. Instructional Design and Lesson Planning:

• Align instruction with state-adopted standards at the appropriate level of rigor.
• Sequence lessons and concepts to ensure student coherence and accrual of the required prior knowledge.
• Design instruction for students to achieve mastery.
• Select appropriate formative assessments to monitor learning.
• Develop learning experiences that require students to demonstrate a variety of applicable skills and competencies.

B. The Learning Environment:

• Organize, allocate, and manage the resources of time, space, and attention.
• Manage individual and class behaviors through a well-planned management system.
• Convey high expectations to all students.
• Respect students’ cultural, linguistic, and family backgrounds.
• Model clear, acceptable oral and written communication skills.
• Integrate current information and communication technologies.
• Maintain a climate of openness, inquiry, fairness, and support.
• Utilize current and emerging assistive technologies that enable students to participate in high-quality communication interactions and achieve their education goals.

C. Instructional Delivery and Facilitation:

• Deliver engaging and challenging lessons.
• Deepen and enrich students’ understanding through content-area literacy strategies, verbalization of thought, and application of the subject matter.
• Employ higher-order questioning techniques.
• Apply varied instructional strategies and resources (including appropriate technology) to provide comprehensible instruction, and to teach for student understanding.
• Differentiate instruction based on an assessment of student learning needs and recognition of individual differences in students.

D. Assessment:

• Design and align formative and summative assessments that match learning and objectives and lead to mastery.
• Use a variety of assessment tools to monitor student progress, achievement, and leaning gains
• Modify assessments and testing conditions to accommodate learning styles and varying levels of knowledge.

II. Uniform Core Curricula:

• Apply State-adopted content standards (Florida Standards).
• Incorporate strategies appropriate for instruction of English Language Learners (ELLs).
• Incorporate strategies appropriate for instruction of Students with Disabilities (SWDs).
• Apply Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).

• Identify and apply specific tools and technologies that lead to effective instruction.
• Design rigorous lesson plans for classroom instruction.
• Apply higher-order thinking skills.
• Explore strategies for different learning styles and multiple intelligences.
• Review effective accommodations used for ESL learners and Students with Disabilities (SWDs).
• Explore summative and formative assessments.

EPI textbook

Textbook information is provided in the course syllabus. 

College-Level Communication and Computation Skills

State Rule 6A-10.030 does not apply to this course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours and by appointment during other non-class hours. Each student is encouraged to seek assistance from the professor. To further the educational process, the Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the campus Teaching/Learning and Computing Centers (TLCCs), JDA Student Success Center, and campus libraries, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. The Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College website.

Withdrawing From a Course

A student may officially withdraw from a course during any given term, provided he or she follows the appropriate policy and procedure. Following the conclusion of the Drop period, students may officially withdraw without receiving a grade from any course, provided they do so no later than the published withdrawal deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70% of the term, based upon the course’s scheduled duration. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these withdrawal forms; failure to do so may result in a grade of F in the course. Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. A student is not allowed to withdraw from a third course attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding course withdrawal that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in the specific program handbooks. If a student stops attending class, the grade earned, usually an F, is assigned and posted. Prior to withdrawing from a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, withdrawal from the course will have on his or her financial aid status. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who has been penalized for academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the third attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding repeating courses that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in the specific handbooks. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course will have on his or her financial aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

Each student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and will abide by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating or plagiarism, the situation shall be dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. More specific information can be found in the Course Syllabus.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

The information technology resources provided by Polk State College (this includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must be used for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Valparisa Baker
Director, Equity and Diversity (Title IX Coordinator)
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Office: WAD 227
Telephone: (863) 292-3602
e-mail: vbaker@polk.edu

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Coordinator or Director of Disability Services. Note: Limited admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

Letter Grade/Point Range:

A          =          90 - 100

B          =          80 - 89

F          =           0 - 79

Search for Open Classes