Intro to Classroom Documentation   

This introductory course will teach you simple methods for documenting academic and social behaviors in your classroom to set up a plan for student success.

This teacher professional development course introduces you to simple methods for documenting academic and social behaviors and explains why it is so important. You will be guided on how to create a documentation system for your classroom, analyze tracking methods for documentation, and learn about how the data you collect can be used to facilitate better communication with student families to help support your students. You will leave the class with a documentation plan and resources ready to use in the classroom.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Editing of a Microsoft Word document is required in this course. You may use a free version of Microsoft Word Online, or Google Docs if you do not have Microsoft Office installed on your computer. Model Teaching can provide support for this.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Section 1 – An Introduction to Documentation
   1. What is documentation
   2. Why documentation is important
   3. How documentation is used
   4. When documentation should be created
2. Section 2 – Student Files
   1. The importance of creating student files
   2. How to create student files
   3. What to include and how often to add information to student's files
3. Section 3 – Documentation Templates
   1. Multiple documentation templates
   2. Different ways to share information with school personnel
4. Putting it All Together
   1. Using the sample provided, build your own documentation plan for your classroom.
5. Applying What you Have Learned
   1. Get ideas on how to implement the concepts into your classroom, find a list of online resources that feature documentation methods, and read the research behind documentation in the classroom.

What you will learn

• Understand what effective documentation looks like to support classroom instruction
• Analyze methods for recording student information, managing records, and sharing information with colleagues and parents
• Plan, using step-by-step instructions, a method for setting up student files and documenting student academic and behavioral issues

How you will benefit

• You will be able to better monitor and understand student academic and social behaviors
• You will more easily be able to communicate areas of concern or strength with your student's family
• Your classroom management will improve because of your documentation and data-collection method