Educators interested in integrating individual courses toward a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) model, developing a larger-scale STEM initiative in their school or enhancing an existing STEM program will find value in this course. Learn why STEM matters, the benefits of various STEM models, strategies to overcome challenges associated with a move toward STEM, and what teachers need to know and do to successfully implement STEM initiatives.
This course considers how STEM education can facilitate connections. Planning effective STEM lessons requires educators to consider multiple factors which woven together help ensure lessons have the greatest positive impact. Through the context of planning for STEM lessons, teachers will investigate various models of technology integration, evaluate how the teacher role transforms with STEM education, and investigate the untapped potential in community and in-school resources can be used to support students and teachers who want to transition to STEM education. Additionally, teachers will consider strategies to support students with disabilities and opportunities to embrace and celebrate diversity through STEM education.
This course is designed to help STEM educators move from ideas for STEM implementation to action. STEM lesson ideas and best practices anchored in science, mathematics, engineering are reviewed. Educators in elementary, middle and high school will be prepared to take their classrooms to the next level of STEM via investigation of ideas for STEM implementation in specific grade levels. Finally, best practices for assessing integrated and authentic STEM lessons will be presented to help teachers reflect and revise STEM lessons as they work toward a culture of continuous improvement.
Develop the ability to become a knowledgeable, well-equipped educator in this high-tech online world. This course is a blend of theory, research and ideas for working with students who are part of the digital generation. Explore a wealth of intriguing, thought-provoking ideas that can help you improve your craft and participate more fully in 21st century teaching and learning. Prepare to challenge your thinking, examine your current instruction and stretch your knowledge of what it means to teach and learn in this new generation.
This course will move educators to think differently about technology’s potential for strengthening students’ critical thinking, writing, reflection, and interactive learning. This course explores how Web tools can generate exciting new learning formats and explains how to apply these tools in the classroom to engage all students. Specific teaching applications are included for web logs, wikis, and RSS (rich site summary).
Because the digital world can be overwhelming, this course is designed to help you explore the online realm in small, manageable bytes. You will gain an understanding of a wide variety of online tools to enhance your classroom and instruction. Overall guidance for the new digital learners and in-depth direction for the more advanced will be provided. Find ways to stretch both your learning and your students through the user-friendly text and our stimulating online environment.
This course will help you teach in a more meaningful, powerful manner. You will be a more effective teacher when you can base your teaching methods on updated scientific information about the learning brain. This course will explore the role of emotion in learning, different types of memory rehearsal, how the brain stores and retrieves information, the primacy-recency effect, windows of opportunity, and much more. Learn how to make learning last, and learn how to create a meaning-filled classroom environment. Explore numerous examples of successful brain- based learning strategies in all grade levels and subjects.
Inquiry learning can be effectively integrated into all classrooms (K-12). Explore the critical ingredients of inquiry and inquiry circles, delving into foundational concepts of comprehension instruction, classroom collaboration, and classroom management as they relate to inquiry success. Join with your students to explore rich content inside and beyond the curriculum — to wonder, question, build knowledge, care, and take action in the world.
Finally, a course specifically designed to help you work with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Explore the following important components: characteristics and types of ASD, the role of assistive technology, intervention models, proven instructional approaches, parent involvement techniques, and available support services
This course explores the research behind assessments, grading and the use of data. Participants will also analyze the use of language and how phrases can enhance instruction and student motivation. The course includes multiple reading strategies piloted in actual classrooms and grounded in solid research. Whether your students have special needs or show no apparent learning difficulties, this course will expand your repertoire of teaching strategies and help put students on the road to literacy.
This course will provide numerous strategies to assist the struggling student with reading comprehension. The first section of the course will focus on the primary/elementary student providing real life examples and dozens of scenarios/examples demonstrate effective ways to: select the perfect books, model think alouds, assist students in making important connections, and empower your students to having meaningful conversation about the texts they are reading. The second, addresses first and second draft understandings, explores the use of fix-it strategies, collaboration techniques, the use of metaphors to further understanding and the role reflection can play in comprehension for the intermediate and middle school student.
This course will enable teachers of all content areas to teach their students how to be better readers. The strategies in the course text will make the teaching of reading a practical, achievable goal in every subject. This course contains dozens of proven strategies that help students develop their vocabularies, comprehend informational and narrative texts, and engage in meaningful discussions of what they read. In addition to reading strategies, this course also explores critical elements of reading, strategic processing, and the creation of a classroom environment conducive to reading.
This course will increase your knowledge base and understanding of inclusion for students with disabilities. You will gain an understanding of legislation and mandates specific to inclusion as well as learn about the impacts of inclusion on students with and without disabilities. You will explore the social, emotional and academic components of an inclusive classroom and learn how to provide an accepting, inclusive classroom that allows each student to reach their full potential. Additionally, you will develop an understanding of assessment, lesson planning and instruction including the use of Universal Design for Learning and co-teaching methods. This course is appropriate for any educator.
In this course, you will learn how to help your students overcome the impact of adverse experiences as you develop trauma-informed teaching strategies. Beginning with brain research, discover the effect trauma has on students' emotional and academic development. Explore the foundations of trauma-sensitive teaching, including an emphasis on safety, relationships, and resiliency. This course also provides a thought-provoking look at the importance of self-care for educators working with students impacted by trauma.
This course combines the powerful processes and strategies of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with lesson planning to ensure educators are meeting the needs of EACH learner. Using an extremely applicable text, videos and relevant applications, the course provides an overview of UDL guidelines. Additionally, teachers will learn new strategies for goal setting and assessment. Educators will be able to increase engagement, infuse lessons with multiple means of content representation, and choose materials and media to enhance their teaching. Teachers will reflect on strategies to ensure professional growth and an increase in student achievement. This course will provide the tools needed to meet the ever changing variability of learners in our classrooms and schools beyond differentiation.