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Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) from the Praxis II Series
Test Preparation SessionCreated by Dr. Diane KernAssistant Professor, University of Rhode Island, School of Education
What we’ll do and why
Prepare for PLT…time well spent!RI Teacher CertificationExit from Rhode Island Teacher
Education programsBecome familiar with examReduce stress, raise confidence, save
timeSelf-diagnose areas to study further
The PLT Exam Basics
K-6 OR 5-9 OR 7-12…at this time in RI you’ll want to either take the K-6 or the 7-12
Two hour exam Test Dates & RI Test Centers Registration & Cost Test Takers with Disabilities Primary Language Not English Your Scores & Score Reports Most URI programs have an additional content exam
(or more). See you advisor for the specific name(s) of your area’s content exam and materials to use for studying.
Case Histories
4 Detailed teaching situations, a.k.a.“constructed response”
Each followed with 3 short-answer questions
Scored on a scale of 0-2.
Multiple-Choice Questions
Discrete, stand alone multiple choice questions (not about constructed response questions, in other words!)
24 multiple-choice questions are included in two sections of 12 questions each
Categories on Score Report
Categories that will appear on your score report & Approximate Percentage of Total Score
I. Students as Learners (multiple-choice questions) 11%
II. Instruction and Assessment (multiple-choice questions) 11%
III.Teacher Professionalism (multiple-choice questions) 11%
IV.Students as Learners (short-answer questions) 11%
V.Instruction and Assessment (short-answer questions)
22%VI.Communication Techniques (short-answer questions)
11%VII.Teacher Professionalism (short-answer questions)
11%
Four categories
Students as LearnersInstruction and AssessmentTeacher ProfessionalismCommunication Techniques
URI coursework connections
EDC 102/502 or 503 Intro to American Ed EDC 312 or 512 Psychology of Learning EDC 402 Educating Students with Special
Needs EDC 415 or HDF 310 Adolescent
Development and Classroom Management EDC 448 Literacy Practices… And several other aspects of any EDC prefix
course
Students as Learners
Strategies to maintain discipline Strategies to encourage desirable &
discourage undesirable student behavior Making learning goals clear to students Making content comprehensible to students Encouraging students to extend their thinking Meeting the needs of diverse learners
Instruction and Assessment
Monitoring students’ understanding of content & adjusting learning activities
Current research on teaching for thinking and understanding
Using instructional time wisely Relevant aspects of students’ background
knowledge & experiences Articulating clear goal for lessons Creating or selecting teaching methods &
evaluation strategies
Teacher Professionalism
Reflecting on the extent learning goals are met Demonstrating sense of efficacy Building professional relationships with
colleagues, parents, & paraprofessionals Current trends in and research findings in
education Communicating with parents/guardians about
student learning (includes legal rights of teacher and students)
Communication Techniques
Dynamics of interpersonal relationships Appropriate teacher responses to individual
and cultural diversity Nonverbal communication skills Questioning techniques Creating classroom environments that
promote fairness Classroom and school expectations, rules Appropriate motivational strategies
Sample Test Items
K-6 Case History7-12 Case HistoryMultiple Choice items
General Test-Taking Strategies
#1 Issue!!! Plan how you will use your time for the test
Get a good night’s rest Eat a healthy breakfast Bring your proof of registration papers, 2 forms of
identification and extra pencils with erasers Arrive to the test early & take a moment to relax and
reduce your anxiety Listen attentively to test proctor Keep a steady pace & don’t let more difficult questions
affect your attitude & steal your valuable time
Test-Taking Tips, continued…
Rely on your knowledge and don’t watch for patterns
Change only answers when you’re certain
When you’ve completed your test use remaining time wisely—proofread, review your difficult questions, check that you’ve answered all questions.
Test Preparation Resources
Educational Testing Service Websitehttp://www.ets.org Test Preparation ResourcesETSCliffsTestPrep KaplanBarron’s On-line ResourcesDr. Lee’s from Harding University’s PLT site
http://www.harding.edu/USER/dlee/WWW/pltprep.htm Other supportsYour academic advisorURI Counseling Center, particularly for Test Anxiety 874-2288
Final tips
Additional fees for: phone test score results, additional score reports, scoring verification request, diagnostic information
URI does NOT get your results from ETS. It is your responsibility to keep your original in a safe place, make one copy of ALL four pages (even if they’re not filled in) to give to the Office of Teacher Education 701 Chafee and another copy to give to your methods instructor
Don’t wait until you only have one chance to pass. Start your studying now, register with plenty of time for two or more retakes so you do not have to delay your student teaching year.
The PLT is not a reflection of how well you will teach; it’s a teacher certification requirement that you CAN reach! Your URI advisors are here to help you.