| WEEK # | TOPICS |
|---|---|
| 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 Part I |
| 4 | Straw Towers Part II What Are the Major Problems in Education? Brainstorming Impact of No Child Left Behind |
| 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? |
| 7 | Introduction to Mini-Lessons Town Hall Meeting Planning |
| 8 | Town Hall Meeting on Standards and Standardized Tests |
| Section III - Teaching Pedagogies and Practices | |
| 9 | Mini Lessons Trip to the Museum of Science Informal Learning Environments - MOS Visit |
| 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 |
| 12 | Participatory Simulations: The Prisoner's Dilemma, Modeling and Simulation, Competing Prisoners Project, StarLogo Information |
| Final Projects | |
| 13 | Concept Mapping and Teacher Education: Introduction to Concept Mapping, Concept Mapping 11.124 |