[TABLE][TR][TD][/TD][TD]Preparing for the Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching [TABLE][TR][TD]© 2003-2007 Dr. Raymond W. "Donny" Lee, Jr. [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]College of Education, Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas[/TD][/TR][TR][TD] [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]NEW and UPDATED MATERIALS! MAY, 2006 including a link for PRAXIS I![/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/TD][/TR][/TABLE][TABLE][TR][TD]HELP FOR TAKING THE PRAXIS I! I've found a web page that has free instant results practice sets to prepare for the PRAXIS I! Take a look: Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.
[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Note and Disclaimer: As you prepare for the PLT, you will need to strategize in at least two areas: (1) content and (2) format. It is not enough to simply "know" material; you must be able to present your knowledge in ways that conform to the test's format and rubrics. This web page is designed to assist you as you prepare for this important licensing exam. It is not a test which requires no preparation. This page assumes you have received some instruction in the areas covered on this exam. This web page in no way guarantees or portends to claim that it will guarantee success on this exam. Ultimately, success is achieved by the candidate. At the same time, this page will certainly aid a willing and well-prepared candidate to better prepare him or herself for this exam. This page is not an official site of ETS or the PRAXIS series although some material on this page may be adapted from those sources. [/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

[TABLE][TR][TD]IMPORTANT DOWNLOADS! [TABLE][TR][TD]Overview Powerpoint (Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.)[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Timing Strategies Word document (Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.)[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Strategies for Constructed Responses (Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.)[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Dr. Linda Webb Billman's Web Page (Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.)[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]
Let me know how this is helping (or not) and provide suggestions and testimonials for others who are using this page..Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.
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Some responses from around the country:
"While cruising the internet I came across your web site. It is the most informative one of it's kind that I have found." --Rick, Jan., 2004
"Thanks so much. This is absolutely fabulous. I spent money today buying a book to help with the Praxis II, only to discover that it had nothing to do with the test for Media Specialists. Your website and powerpoints were so great to jog my memory of courses I had had and I know that I will be better prepared." --Vivien, Dec., 2003
"The single source of all my nightmares has been erased! I received confirmation that I passed the PLT test on Christmas eve! Talk about the best Christmas present ever! Thanks for all of your help with the preparation." --Sherri, Dec., 2003
"I am an intervention specialist at a career center in northcentral Ohio. I have been working with career/tech teachers the past two years, trying to help
them take the PLT for grades 7-12.Your website is one of the best resources I have found over the years for what they need. I also use an Ed. Psych.
textbook for our reference material, but your list of sources and Powerpoints have been an exceptional asset to me. Thank you so much for your hard work--I
am hoping it will make the difference for some of the current 116 teachers I am working with." -- Cindy, Ohio, Feb., 2004
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/TD][TD][LEFT]FORMAT[/LEFT]
[LEFT]The PLT consists of 4 case histories, each with 3 short-answer questions. There are 24 discrete multiple choice questions in two sections of 12 questions each. Categories on the PLT:[/LEFT]
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD]Category[/TD][TD]Approximate Percentage of Total Score[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Students as Learners (multiple choice)[/TD][TD]11%[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Instruction and Assessment (multiple choice)[/TD][TD]11%[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Teacher Professionalism (multiple choice)[/TD][TD]11%[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Students as Learners (short answer)[/TD][TD]22%[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Instruction and Assessment (short answer)[/TD][TD]22%[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Communication Techniques (short answer)[/TD][TD]11%[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Teacher Professionalism (short answer)[/TD][TD]11%[/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER][LEFT]The PLT will contain two types of case histories -- document-based and narrative. [/LEFT]
[CENTER][TABLE][TR][TD]Document-based[/TD][TD]Narrative[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Set of three or more documents (e.g., lesson or unit plans, assignments, student work, notes from observations, communications with parents or counselors)[/TD][TD]Objective account of what happens in a classroom and focus on certain issues, including information necessary to respond fully to the questions. Some will be teacher-based (focusing on the teaching practice of one or more teachers) and the others will be student-based (focusing on the student's background, where appropriate, and the student's strengths and weaknesses)[/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/CENTER][LEFT]The constructed response (short answer) items are often the most challenging sections on this exam. They are challenging because they require the candidate to read rather lengthy cases quickly, synthesize and analyze information, and make evaluations and draw conclusion on the material in the cases. It is not that they require lengthy responses so much that they require concise, accurate, and substantive responses. Unfortunately, this sometimes goes against intuition as well as training. [/LEFT]
[LEFT]HEADS UP! For specific strategy information, see Word document link in left column. [/LEFT]
[LEFT]HEADS UP! For timing strategy, see Word document in left column. [/LEFT]

CONTENT
[TABLE][TR][TD][LEFT]STUDENTS AS LEARNERS [URL=(~ 35% of total score)[/URL][/LEFT]
[LEFT]1. Human Development[/LEFT]
[LEFT]Be able to...[/LEFT]
[TABLE][TR][TD]Refer to theoretical points as you discuss specific strategies or actions.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Refer to theorists as you discuss specific strategies or actions.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Incorporate theories into your answers as appropriate. [/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
Heads Up!
You do not have to treat theorists or theories exhaustively. Don't explain the theories! Be careful not to constantly "namedrop." The readers already know the theorists' names. Incorporate. Incorporate. Incorporate.
[TABLE][TR][TD]Piaget -- his stages and their implications for teachers [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Vygotsky -- zone of proximal development, scaffolding [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Erikson -- stages and their implications for each level of school-age children [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Albert Bandura -- social cognitive theory and observational learning[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Abraham Maslow -- hierarchy of needs (motivation)[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Kohlberg -- stages and their implications for each level of school-age children[/TD][/TR][/TABLE][LEFT]2. Diversity[/LEFT]
[LEFT]Be able to...[/LEFT]
[TABLE][TR][TD]Consider and integrate ethnicity and race with respect to actions.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Consider gender with respect to actions.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Consider learning abilities and disabilities with respect to actions.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Consider primary language with respect to actions. [/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
Power Points...
[TABLE][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/TD][TD][LEFT]INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT (~ 35% of total score)[/LEFT]
[LEFT]Be able to...[/LEFT]
[TABLE][TR][TD]Write parts of and analyze unit and lesson plans.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Write learning objectives.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Create assessments, rubrics, and analyze them.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Create instructional strategies and tell how and when you might use them.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Explain how and when you might modify instruction for students.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Explain how you would motivate students in certain situations.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Explain how you will make goals and procedures clear to students.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Explain how you will make content comprehensible to students.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Explain how you will monitor students' understanding of content.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Demonstrate how you would use instructional time wisely.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Explain how you will extend students' thinking.[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
Power Points...
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Documents...
[TABLE][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][TD]Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
Heads Up!
Hot Topics: These will be helpful to include as appropriate. They are the "hot topics" that readers "look for"...
[TABLE][TR][TD]Constructivism[/TD][TD]Multiple Intelligences[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Metacognition[/TD][TD]Alternative Assessments[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Bloom's Taxonomy[/TD][TD]Differentiated Instruction[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Readiness[/TD][TD]Inclusion[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Schemata[/TD][TD]Least Restrictive Environment[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Transfer[/TD][TD]Modifications and Accommodations[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)[/TD][TD]Learning Disabilities[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Learning Styles[/TD][TD]Scaffolding[/TD][/TR][/TABLE][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][LEFT]COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES (~ 15% of total score)[/LEFT]
[LEFT]Be able to...[/LEFT]
[TABLE][TR][TD]Communicate expectations to students[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Demonstrate cultural and gender differences in communication[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Stimulate discussion and responses in the classroom[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Communicate effectively with parents, colleagues, and administrators [/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Recognize and comprehend different forms of communication[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
Heads Up!
Communication with parents in which you offer specific information as well as strategies parents can use is an area that readers may want to see.
Slide Show...
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Web Site...
Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[TD][LEFT][URL=(~ 15% of the total score)[/LEFT]

Be able to...
[TABLE][TR][TD]Reflect on actions, situations, and strategies and their implications.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Consider how you might do something differently next time.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Consider the larger community (parents, colleagues, etc.)[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
Heads Up!
This requires you to think through why you have done something as well as provide reasoning for why you might do something different in the future. Also, in your answers, be sure to include others, including agencies and institutions, who might play a role in the planning, instruction, or assessment for the student or class.
Web Site...
Guests cannot see links in the messages. Please register to forum by clicking here to see links.[/TD][/TD][/TR][LEFT]Before you Go...[/LEFT]

1. Plan and organize your time and the materials you will need to review for the test. Save your textbooks, notes, handouts, etc. These are invaluable as you prepare for the exam.
2. Pace yourself during the test. You will write several constructed responses to the cases; watch your time and pace yourself. Read all instructions carefully to be sure you are doing the exam correctly. For example, does it count against you if you guess. READ INSTRUCTIONS.
3. Be prepared! The PRAXIS II PLT is a professional licensing exam, not a second-rate "teacher test." Begin preparation early and approach the test with a game plan! [/TABLE][/TD][/TR][TABLE][TR][TD]
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