e-Learning for Educators
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Learning and Teaching with the Read/Write Web
The Internet as we know it has been constantly changing and improving over the past several years and these changes have been so numerous and so dramatic as to inspire people to refer to this "new" internet as Web 2.0 or the Read/Write Web. The content of the Read/Write Web, as we will call it, is characterized by open communication, freedom to share and re-use content, and dynamic interactivity among users of varying technical abilities around the globe. There are now a multitude of web-based tools available that can allow people to organize their favorite bookmarks, write online documents, and share information with others through social software like blogs and wikis. These tools can positively impact teaching and learning and the implications are significant. Students can be empowered to see how their ideas can be shared easily with the world and students around the globe can easily collaborate and communicate with each other to build knowledge communities that are not dependent on time and space. A few dedicated educators are sharing their ideas and blogging about these new tools so that they can be used effectively in classrooms. In this workshop, participants will be exposed to many of the tools of the Read/Write Web and will get the chance to experiment with new tools each week. The final session will focus on how educators can help students to use these new tools safely. Discussions will help participants focus on how these tools can be integrated into the classroom to make the most of their potential to enhance student learning.

Strategies and Tools for Implementing Lesson Study
Strategies and Tools for Implementing Lesson Study, a six-session professional development online workshop, will introduce participants to a teaching activity in which a team of educators jointly develop, teach, observe, analyze and revise lessons for their students. Lesson study participants will work together in teacher teams to build knowledge about how students learn. Participants will view lesson study vignettes and complete the six steps of the lesson study process. A Lesson Study Project Template will be provided to all workshop participants.

Prerequisites

This is an introductory workshop for teachers, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel. Participants are expected to work closely with a team of two to three members throughout the course. Lesson Study teams will work as a collaborative team to design and plan the implementation of a lesson study. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers. In addition, participants should be proficient with using email, browsing the Internet, downloading video files, uploading files and navigating web sites.

Goals

By the end of this course, participants will understand:

  • The key elements of lesson study.
  • How the lesson study approach employs the characteristics of effective professional development
  • How lesson study can be used to enhance teacher learning and improve instruction.
  • How to design a study lesson.
  • The guidelines for lesson study observations and debriefings.
  • The protocol for examining student work.

Assessment and Course Requirements

Each session includes readings, an activity, a discussion assignment, and pre and post workshop surveys which participants are required to complete. A workshop check-up will take place during Session Four (Week Five) of the workshop.  Participants should expect to spend a minimum of 4 hours per week meeting weekly requirements of workshop readings, activities and discussions (total of 24 hours).  A minimum of 21 additional hours will be required to satisfy the course project requirement. The total workshop requirements represent a minimum 45 hours.

Course Products

Participants will use the Strategies and Tools for Implementing Lesson Study Template to plan and design their lesson study project throughout the workshop. The lesson study project is to be completed in as a collaborative team project. Teams are to be comprised of three participants, typically from the same school or schools in close proximity. The Lesson Study Project will begin during Session Two. The Lesson study Project will include the following components: overview, focus, anticipated results, CSOs, goals, research lesson with supporting details, protocols and a management plan