Graduate-Level Credit / Non-Credit Hours
3 Semester Credits, 5 Quarter Credits, or 45 Clock Hours
Course Description
This course is designed to explore the critical need to differentiate instruction for 21st century learners. The philosophy of differentiation will be examined in relationship to cultural needs, learning styles, intelligence theories, and thinking skills. The use of technology and the role of effective feedback will also be addressed. Participants will be provided multiple opportunities to engage in discussions and activities that refine their current differentiation strategies and practices in an effort to meet the needs of all learners.
Global Goals of the Course
To deepen and/or apply the content and skills of the teacher’s existing professional knowledge base by meeting the following global goals of this course:
1. To understand the need to differentiate instruction in an effort to meet the needs of 21st century learners (NBPTS 1,2,4 & InTasc 1,2,3,5)
2. To synthesize current teaching practices with 21st century beliefs in an effort to expand learning opportunities (NBPTS 1,4,5 & InTasc 4,7,8,9)
3. To analyze empirical and educational research on differentiated learning, learning styles, and assessment (NBPTS 1,2,3,4,5 & InTasc 6)
4. To examine the research findings on the effectiveness of differentiation and to incorporate the essential knowledge into practical applications in the classroom setting (NPTS 1,2,3,4,5 & InTasc 5,10)
5. To gain knowledge of formal assessments, informal assessments, and grading practices utilized in a differentiated classroom (NBPTS 1,3 & InTasc 6)
The course was great! The information was on point and the instructor was very supportive throughout the class.
I loved the enthusiasm the instructor brought to class every day, the overall course content, and the relevant assignments.
The professor was very knowledgeable and helpful about the content area and had so many great ideas that I plan on using with my class this year and beyond. I was surprised at how many resources there are for outdoor education and how beneficial it is to kids.