Courses and Cases on Problem-Based, Collaborative Inquiry

Title: Teaching for Understanding 07

Author: Heather Gould

Abstract: This mini-course has been created with the professional development of currently practicing teachers in mind. It will serve as a refresher course that will introduce, discuss, and employ the concept of teaching for understanding.

Course Objective: Course participants should be able to generate a revised lesson plan in written form from a given lesson plan that exemplifies improvements to the lesson so that student understanding of the target topic is increased.

Tag(s): teaching, understanding

Title: Learning Communities in the Classroom

Author: Barbara Easton

Abstract: This course seeks to help teachers understand how and why the development of learning communities within the classroom will benefit both students and teachers.

Course Objective: After completing this mini-course, you should be able to: recognize the importance of creating learning communities in the classroom, describe the ways in which students benefit from learning communities, and create a plan for incorporating learning communities in your classroom.

Tag(s): learning communities, classroom

Title: Knowledge Building & Information Literacy K-16+

Author: Mary Donohue

Abstract: Introduction to the concepts of “Knowledge Building” and “Information Literacy”.

Course Objective: By the end of the course, the learner will be able to: Identify the unique characteristics of 'Knowledge Building'; Identify the various parts of Knowledge Forum, the online tool used to create a knowledge building environment; Identify the Information Literacy standards established by AASL/ACRL; Generate an updated Information Literacy unit/lesson, utilizing Knowledge Building concepts and the KF environment ; Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and enhance this Knowledge Building course.

Tag(s): knowledge building, online tool, information literacy

Title: Effective Questioning in the Classroom

Author: Abigail Moskovits

Abstract: This course was designed to expose students to the merits and benefits of using questions in the classroom.

Course Objective: The goal of this course is to provide the learners with the tools they need to be effective classroom teachers and facilitators.

Tag(s): questioning, classroom

Title: Science Inquiry

Author: Jingping Chen

Abstract: Inform teachers how to teach science through inquiry.

Course Objective: By the end of this course, course participants should be able to: Understand the concept of Science Inquiry; Get to know the procedure of doing inquiry in science teaching; Understand the principles and procedure of developing materials that promote inquiry in science teaching; Analysis the given lesson plans and projects that exemplifies improvements of using inquiry; Design the inquiry-based science lesson plans or projects; Choose to use inquiry method in the classroom teaching or project designing; Choose to advocate the inquiry-based teaching method in discussions with peers.

Tag(s): science inquiry, science teaching

Title: Teaching to Multiple Intelligences

Author: David Lawrence

Abstract: Introduction to multiple intelligence and teaching strategies

Course Objective: Learners should be able to understand the use of multiple intelligences in the classroom, evaluate students' learning preferences, apply teaching strategies to enhance multiple intelligences, and create a cross curricular project with multiple intelligences.

Tag(s): multiple intelligence

Title: Cognitive Apprenticeship

Author: Ruby Roberts

Abstract: Introduction to Cognitive Apprenticeship as an instructional model.

Course Objective: Learners will be able to identify ways to incorporate the model in your classroom for problem-solving tasks and use Cognitive Apprentice ship as an instructional model in classroom teaching.

Tag(s): cognitive apprenticeship, instructional model

Title: Garden-Based Learning Across the Curriculum

Author: Donna Alese Cooke

Abstract: Introduction to the principles, theory and practice of garden-based learning (GBL)

Course Objective: Learners will be able to integrate garden-based lessons into their curriculum.

Tag(s): garden-based learning