4 assignments

Due Feb 12 by 6pm
Now, using your own ideas, concepts, and values, write about using discussion methods, of various types (3-5) in your own classroom where you are teaching.  For each example, specifically address these points:
• clearly  define  the discussion method and its components–be concrete and specific, as if giving a recipe for the method• talk about how this method engages students–in other words, what is happening during the discussion process that activates the learning experience in each student? How can you engage higher order thinking through this method? Try to think of this scientifically, as a professional educator, as you explain.• give one concrete example of how you can use this specific method to teach content within your class; what you expect the process to look like; and how you will determine whether students learned the concepts you hoped they would.
Your post should be at least 3-4 paragraphs, and should provide one clear, concrete example of how you will use a discussion method in your class.  

Due Wed Feb 12 by 6 pm
Putting students together to learn has some benefits that can’t be found in a lecture situation. However, it also puts responsibility for learning more heavily on students, and the instructor must be willing to relinquish some control over the classroom and the content.  
How do you feel about using small groups?  Give some specific ideas about pros and cons of small group learning, from your perspective.  To make the discussion more personal and hopefully more usable, focus your comments on the use of small groups within the class you are currently teaching.  How might you use small group activities in your class?  What challenges might this present?  What benefits might there be, compared to other methods of learning?
Please write 3-4 paragraphs and provide theoretical or research support for your ideas (in other words, please don’t simply offer an unsupported opinion–back it up!)
In your comments to peers, be sure to speak as a professional consultant, and offer constructive critiques as well as balanced support for your peers’ ideas.

Due Feb 12 by 6pm
 For this assignment, choose a specific kind of small group activity.  It can be formal or informal, graded or ungraded; it can be an in-class activity, a project done outside of classtime for later presentation, a community enrichment project–use your imagination! 
Provide the following information as you discuss the group:
• optimal number of small groups in your class, and why• optimal number of participants in each group, and why • nature of group:  give specifics (e.g. informal, in-class learning group; or formal group to develop a presentation for a local counseling convention)• how will this activity foster learning in your students?• what challenges might small group learning present for you, and for the students?
Your assignment should be 2-5 paragraphs long, long enough to thoroughly explain the nature of the group and to answer all the above questions.

Due Feb 14 6pm
Develop your understanding of CACREP standards by reviewing them at cacrep.org . Identify 3 standards from the Helping relationships standard and write a 2-3 page paper.