This course sequence must be taken together in a single academic school year.

Course 11.129 (Educational Theory and Practice I, Fall semester):

11.129 - 2009 syllabus

The Educational Theory and Practice I course will prepare students to begin their student teaching in January 2009. The class work will heavily focus on the practicalities of successful teaching practice. The major text used in the course is The Skillful Teacher by Jon Saphier and Robert Gower and Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones.

Students will complete 2-4 hours per week in a supervised classroom for their pre-practicum. The students are expected to observe the instruction and participate in the class as the teacher suggests. Most of the pre-practicum work should be done in the classroom where the student will do his/her student teaching during IAP.

Course 11.130. IAP (Educational Theory and Practice II, January):

During IAP the student is expected to do the following:
  • Take on full responsibility for two classes from Jan. 5- Jan. 30, 2009. This includes preparing the instruction for the class, teaching the class, grading student work, giving extra help to students when necessary, and communicating with guidance counselors and parents when appropriate (in association with mentor teacher ). 
  • Attend the school the entire school day as if they were a full-time teacher. Students are encouraged to assume responsibilities beyond that of teaching their classes. This one month experience offers the student a deep immersion into school day-to-day life. The MIT student is encouraged to participate as fully as possible in the life of the school. Such involvement may include attending faculty and department meetings, participating in extra-curricular activities with students, doing teacher ‘duties', observing more classes perhaps even outside their discipline.
  • Attend weekly meetings of 11.130 class at MIT. The MIT student by state regulation must have "150 hours" on site. These hours are split between "assuming full responsibility" and “assisting”. It is the expectation of the MIT program the student will continue teaching one class from Feb. 2 - mid March as much as their schedule allows. This has to be worked out between the intern and mentor teacher. It is important that high school student learning is not negatively impacted.

Course 11.131: (Educational Theory and Practice III, Spring semester):

As mentioned above the students will continue their student teaching experience by being at the school 3-4 hours per week until mid March or later. The course work for 11.131 will concentrate on refining curriculum design and assessment strategies, locating and using appropriate teacher resources, studying adolescent development and preparing to find a teaching job.