This course will focus on building a repertoire of pedagogical strategies that support student learning.  Emphasis on the delivery of intellectually challenging and inclusive instruction in the elementary and middle school curriculum in the areas of reading and language arts, mathematics, sciences, and the social sciences.  Special attention will be given to organizing group work and maximizing its benefits for students.  Design of teacher-led and student-initiated learning activities to support conceptual understanding and skill development will be covered.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this program,

1. Create a repertoire of pedagogical strategies that support student learning
2. Develop strategies for the delivery of intellectually challenging and inclusive instruction in the elementary and middle school curriculum in the areas of reading and language arts, mathematics, sciences, and the social sciences
3. Develop techniques for organizing group work and maximize its benefits for students
4. Examine teacher-led and student-initiated learning activities to support conceptual understanding and skill development

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.

Week 1: Unit 1 – What is Constructivism?

Week 2: Unit 2 – Teaching for Learning: Research-based Pedagogical Approaches

Week 3: Unit 3 – Inquiry as a Pedagogical Approach in Schools

Week 4: Unit 4 – Primary Sources in the Classroom

• Week 5: Unit 5 – Engaging Learners with Literacy Instruction
• Week 6: Unit 6 – Literacy Across the Curriculum
• Week 7: Unit 7 – International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools, PYP, and MYP: Instructional Practices and Research
• Week 8: Unit 8 – Best Practices in Early Education

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students. The Learning Guides for all units open on the first day of class.  Please review all Learning Guides to access the readings, review assignments, etc. 

Unit 1: What is Constructivism?

• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignments by posting in the Discussion Forums
• Respond to and rate three of your fellow classmates’ or group members’ posts in the Discussion Forums
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment

Unit 2: Teaching for Learning: Research-based Pedagogical Approaches

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to and rate three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Portfolio Activity 

Unit 3: Inquiry as a Pedagogical Approach in Schools

• Read through the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to and rate three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete the Written Assignment

Unit 4: Primary Sources in the Classroom

• Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to and rate three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment

Unit 5: Engaging Learners with Literacy Instruction

• Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment

Unit 6: Literacy Across the Curriculum

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to and rate three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment

Unit 7: International Baccalaureate (IB) Schools, PYP, and MYP: Instructional Practices and Research

• Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Respond to and rate three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment

Unit 8: Best Practices in Early Education

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the Discussion Assignment by posting in the Discussion Forum
• Rate and respond to three of your fellow classmates’ posts in the Discussion Forum
• Complete and submit the Final Project
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation