Preparing to Switch Grade Levels: A Project-Based Approach to Planning I (For Secondary School Teachers)

Participants will review concepts that guide the development of this course and shape its design. Over the ten sessions, participants will develop a project that will be the basis for preparing for teaching the new course. The course design also is chosen specifically to support a teacher in the position of preparing to teach unfamiliar or somewhat new, potentially out-of-field content. This course utilizes project based learning and sometimes immediate assignments seem ambiguous or unfinished. You will build the design as you go so, trust the process and the suggestions. I will explain the WHY as we go. 

The following vocabulary and definitions can be helpful:

●       Andragogy: The methods and practices for developmentally teaching of adult learners.

●       Project based learning: An instructional approach wherein students develop knowledge and skills engaging in relevant real world problems

●       Backward design: An instruction design process that works backward–beginning in identifying goals and how students will provide evidence they have learned.

●       Curriculum mapping: A plan that specifies the content to be taught, objectives to be met, resources used and teaching time allocated (by day, month, year).

●       Assessments: The systematic basis for making inferences about the learning and development of students

●       Vocabulary development: Identification, selection and building understanding of the important words.

●       Student strengths and needs: Student skills and abilities or problems in learning

●       Classroom procedures: The routines that enable learning and teaching to move smoothly.