The Connected Classroom
- Online and asynchronous
- This course will require between 7-10 hours of work per week
- Workload Rating: Standard
Course Description
A leader in classroom practice makes strong connections outside the classroom. This course explores authenticity in classroom curriculum, community, and assessment, as well as teaching strategies to bring the outside world into your classroom, including informal education, community involvement, and the internet. In addition, participants will also learn how to support their students in connecting beyond the classroom to facilitate and enrich their learning through service, community involvement, and the internet.
Learning Outcomes
The primary learning outcomes for GDE/PME 832 are to:
- Consider empirical and theoretical literature relating to connected classroom teaching and learning, design, and implementation
- Bridge theory and practice through the analysis of case studies, application of technologyenhanced design and development strategies, and knowledge of curriculum theory in their professional context
- Utilize professional inquiry to explore approaches to connect classroom learning with the needs and interests of the community
- Create a knowledge sharing tool for others in their professional context
Assessments
6 Discussion board posts
Intro Module - Making Connections (5%)
Module 1 - Creating an Annotated Mind Map of Connections (5%)
Module 2 - Connecting Theories to Your Mind Map: Top 2 (5%)
Module 3 - Discussing Case Studies (5%)
Module 4 - Ranking Effectiveness: Technological Tools (5%)
Module 5 - Technological Frameworks and the Role of the Teacher (5%)
Theory in Practice Assignment
Module 3 - 35%
Culminating Task: Designing a TechnologicallyEnhanced Connected Learning Experience Post
Closing Module - 35%
How does this course support learners outside K-12 teaching contexts?
Connected learning and pedagogical approaches can be applied to any educational context. The projects in this course are designed to examine teaching and learning approaches and hence can be applied to any context, either in K-12 or in vocational and advanced learning situations. The final assignment allows students to envision what connected learning might look like within their context.
Each student’s professional practice and goals are unique. We highly encourage students to reach out to their course instructors at the start of the term to discuss the relevance and application of course learning and assignments to their own learning goals and context of practice.