| WEEK # | TOPICS | ASSIGNMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Current Events Weblogs | |
| 1 | Introduction Class Format and Location Observations, Paperwork Final Paper Introduction - Designing a Classroom Activity - Metaphors for Teaching and Learning (See Pictures and Drawings) | |
| Section I - Schools and Classrooms Images of Schools Classroom Environments School Issues Education Reform Charter Schools / Privatization / Homeschooling / Vouchers | ||
| 2 | What Are Schools Like? What Do We Think Schools Are Like? Fact and Fictional Video Views of Schools and Classrooms Initial Discussion of Student Portfolios and Weblogs: See SchoolBlogs, Education Web Logs Introduction to Current Events | |
| 3 | Name Game Introduction to Fastplants - Planting Classroom Environments Jigsaw Straw Towers Activity | Straw Towers, Classroom Environments and Personal Experiences (PDF) |
| 4 | Straw Towers Part II What Are the Major Problems in Education? Brainstorming Impact of No Child Left Behind | First Observations - Reactions posted to your Blog 10 min interview with an educator (PDF) |
| 5 | Fixing Schools Fastplants Stage 1 - Questions Hypotheses | |
| Section II - Learning and Assessment Ways of Learning and Types of Learners Standards and Assessment | ||
| 6 | Physics - Pulleys What Do We Learn? | How do we learn? (PDF) |
| 7 | Introduction to Mini-Lessons Town Hall Meeting Planning | Classroom Environments (PDF) |
| 8 | Town Hall Meeting on Standards and Standardized Tests | Student Observation (PDF) |
| Section III - Teaching Pedagogies and Practices | ||
| 9 | Mini Lessons Trip to the Museum of Science Informal Learning Environments - MOS Visit | Blog - Reflections on Mini-Lessons |
| 10 | Trip to the Museum of Science (cont.) Informal Learning Environments - MOS Visit (cont.) | |
| Section IV - Technology in the Classroom Digital Divide Modeling Internet | ||
| 11 | Mini-Lesson Debrief Massive Current Events | Technology Centered Environments (PDF) |
| 12 | Participatory Simulations: The Prisoner's Dilemma, Modeling and Simulation, Competing Prisoners Project, StarLogo Information | Technology in Education (PDF) |
| Final Projects | ||
| 13 | Concept Mapping and Teacher Education: Introduction to Concept Mapping, Concept Mapping 11.124 | Portfolio and Final Paper (PDF) |
| Time Allowing | School Choice - Investigating Options for Students Amanda (PDF) Sean (PDF) Vince (PDF) | |