TSTX 502   Deeper Learning Through Debate and Argumentation 3 credits

Teaching debate and argumentation skills in the classroom may seem daunting, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges! Debate enables deep engagement in learning, supports literacy skills like reading and writing as well as speaking and listening, and improves critical thinking abilities. In this course, you will learn why debate supports all areas of literacy and how it can easily be integrated into any content area. Explore various debate structures, gather topics that align with your curriculum, and develop lesson plans to implement in the classroom. Unlock the potential of debate as a dynamic teaching strategy, and see how its integration into your curriculum can lead to improved engagement and learning outcomes. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 504   Building Better Lessons with Warm-Ups and Exit Tickets 3 credits

Keeping your students focused during the first and last minutes of your class period can be a challenge, but with predictable routines like warm-ups and exit tickets you can maximize every moment. In this course, participants develop a plan to integrate engaging lesson beginnings and endings into their daily classroom routine and curate a list of ideas that align with curriculum needs. Explore how formative assessment data gathered from warm-ups and exit tickets can be used to modify instruction, resulting in increased student engagement and improved learning outcomes. Discover best practices to captivate your students from the start of your lessons to the very end! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 508   Cultural Competency from the Classroom to the Community 3 credits

As the saying goes, when we know better, we do better. This course explores the many ways in which we can “do better” to create culturally competent classrooms and communities. Learn how cultural awareness affects the way we teach, learn, and live, and how culturally responsive teaching (CRT) “lifts all boats.” Examine the ways unconscious bias and cultural faux pas influence how we react and respond in different situations, and take a test to uncover your own biases. Collaborate with a colleague to converse about creating communities and classrooms that are proudly culturally diverse and competent. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 512   Learning and Belonging in Student-Centered Classrooms 3 credits

This course helps you to build the knowledge and skills necessary to create an engaging and collaborative classroom environment. Investigate the framework of student-centered learning and explore innovative strategies to implement in your teaching practice. With a focus on building strong relationships with students, learn how to foster a supportive and inclusive classroom community where student voice and choice are valued. You’ll have the opportunity to explore humor, play, and other brain-based practices, to enhance student engagement and optimize learning outcomes. Additionally, you’ll design a stimulating activity that encourages collaboration among students, promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to create a student-centered learning environment that inspires and empowers learners. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 513   Coaching Athletes for Character 3 credits

Athletic coaches play a unique role in a child’s life, acting as a combination of parent, friend, and teacher to help students grow as athletes and individuals. This course focuses on teaching character through coaching, contrasting the psychological benefits of sports with the dangers of negative attitudes and behaviors. You’ll have help to develop your coaching philosophy, understand the coach's role in teaching life lessons, model appropriate responses to wins and losses, emphasize respect in sportsmanship, and devise methods for evaluating your progress. You will also have the chance to assess their sportsmanship approach and create a plan to implement a character education curriculum with athletes. Ultimately, this course will allow you to envision a clear coaching framework, strategies for teaching life skills, grace in accepting defeat, and the ability to foster respect among athletes. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 518   Creating a Highly Engaging Lesson Plan 3 credits

This course focuses on highly engaging lesson plans and strategies to help create them. Special attention is paid to the relationship between student engagement and lesson planning, writing learning objectives, curriculum alignment, and engaging activities. Translating that information into a professional development lesson plan for colleagues is emphasized. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 519   Cultivating Student-Centered Classrooms 3 credits

This course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills needed to create student-centered learning environments that foster engagement, autonomy, and academic success. Participants will delve into the principles and practices of student-centered instruction, gaining a comprehensive understanding of its methodology and benefits. Through a combination of theoretical exploration and practical application, participants will explore the four key components of student-centered learning: voice, choice, competency-based progression, and continuous monitoring of student needs. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources you need to implement student-centered methods and increase your students’ achievement and engagement in your classroom and beyond. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 520   Unlocking Student Potential with Blended Learning 3 credits

This engaging and practical course offers educators an opportunity to explore blended learning components that enhance their present classroom strategies. Determine the most suitable types of learning tasks for asynchronous and synchronous interaction, and evaluate and develop effective strategies for transitioning from a traditional classroom to a blended learning setting. Educators will also investigate issues of equity in the blended learning format to identify potential barriers in blended learning. Finally, educators will assess a range of technology tools and devices to design virtual and physical learning environments that foster meaningful and interactive learning experiences. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 521   Engage and Evaluate Students Through Online Assessments 3 credits

As schools and districts explore online and hybrid learning options, the need for online assessments continues. In this course, you will explore and evaluate tools and design strategies to create effective assessment practices in the digital learning environment. Review your own online assessments to identify areas for improvement, and better align assessment methods with students' needs and desired learning outcomes. You’ll consider formative and diagnostic online assessments to provide timely and meaningful feedback to foster student growth and learning. Additionally, you will learn how to implement strategies to maintain academic integrity. The course will also introduce various tools and resources to create authentic assessments that accurately gauge students' real-world understanding and skills. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to design and implement effective online assessments that support student success. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 529   Empowering Student Assessment with Standards-Based Grading 3 credits

Historically, grading and assessment in schools has taken a universal approach: letter grades from A-F, points for each assignment, zeros for late work…you know the drill! However, research suggests that traditional grading systems do not always support student learning. Standards-based grading is a relatively new approach to assessment focusing on students’ mastery of content rather than on individual tasks. In this course, we will learn the history of traditional grading practices and the debate around the assessment revolution. We’ll provide you with a variety of resources to help you understand and implement standards-based grading practices, including ways of incorporating student voice in the conversation. By the end of this course, you will be able to identify the merits of standards-based grading as well as brainstorm potential solutions to some of its challenges. Prepare for a fresh approach to assessment and grading that will empower students to take control of their learning! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 530   Any Questions? Strategies that Work! 3 credits

Education is all about asking and answering questions to learn and grow, which is all the more reason to determine the effectiveness, engagement, and quality of questioning techniques and strategies. This course provides a deeper understanding of how to enhance questioning practices to promote critical thinking and meaningful learning. You will use Bloom's Taxonomy's cognitive levels to develop question stems that align with various levels of cognitive complexity, and explore specific questioning formats to enhance and improve questioning in the classroom. This course provides strategies and techniques for questioning, and application ideas to engage students in questioning. Get ready to take your questioning practices to the next level! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 532   Level Up with Games in the Classroom 3 credits

If you have been wondering about using games in the classroom, this course is for you! This learning opportunity will help you to examine benefits and considerations for using games for teaching and learning, and discover a wide range of learning games and strategies that can revolutionize your instructional approach. You’ll develop an informational artifact that sheds light on positive behavior support and other essential considerations for integrating games into the classroom. You'll explore various gaming templates, empowering you to create engaging games specifically designed for your students. By the end of the course, you will have a comprehensive plan ready for implementing a learning game that will engage and inspire your students. Watch your teaching practices level up as a result of this informative course! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 535   The Why's and How's of Student Motivation 3 credits

As educators, we are faced with a profound question: how can we motivate our students to learn? In this course, you will delve into theories and practices that can help us develop a deeper understanding of student motivation and how to foster it. Apply Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Self-Determination Theory to design lessons that meet the unique needs of each student. Explore a variety of frameworks and strategies such as student-centered learning, growth mindsets, and gamification that can set students up for success. By the end of this course, you will have gained a holistic view of student motivation and the research-based strategies that can help you unlock your students' full potential. Whether you are a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey, this course will equip you with the tools you need to light the fire of motivation in your students! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 536   Creating a Positive and Organized Educational Environmen 3 credits

Are you ready to get organized, but not sure where to start? This course allows you to explore ways to keep your classroom organized and effective through identifying necessary components for a successful learning environment: classroom’s physical set-up, the teacher’s expectations and routines for students, and how to revise ineffective structure. You will expand your toolkit to effectively address student behavior, and understand the power of building good rapport with your class to create a positive classroom atmosphere. Investigate strategies to captivate students and minimize distractions and learn how to build effective systems to constrain chaos in the classroom. Whether you're starting from scratch or need to restructure your educational environment, this course will help you to engage students and keep them focused in a positive and structured learning environment. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 541   Thinking and Study Skills for Student Success 3 credits

Learning how to study will set students up for success! In this course, educators will explore “thinking about thinking” which is the common phrase used to describe metacognition, and so much more! Discover how the Science of Learning, executive functioning, and growth mindsets come into play when teaching students study skills. Learn how to support students who don’t have the tools they need to succeed outside of school, and understand what students with disabilities need to be successful when studying. You will leave this course with a head full of ideas about thinking, strategizing, and ensuring your students reach their full potential. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 542   Teacher Leadership 101 3 credits

This course inspires those who wish to become a teacher leader! Delve into the multifaceted world of teacher leadership. Begin by looking at standard skills and the 7 domains of teacher leadership, then explore questions that can shape your unique teacher leader identity. You’ll design an activity to empower your colleagues, and foster inclusive educational practices through equitable data analysis. Investigate how teacher leaders can effectively support classroom instruction and collaborate with peers, igniting positive change within the educational community. Finally, you’ll craft a SMART goal specifically tailored to improve the retention of teachers of color, ensuring a diverse and inclusive teaching environment. We hope you’ll join us to inspire your journey of teacher leadership to become an agent of transformation in education. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 543   Enhancing Learning Through Cognitive Rigor Strategies 3 credits

It seems everywhere you turn, there’s an article or blog post emphasizing the importance of “rigor” in the classroom. But what exactly is rigor, and how do you incorporate it on a practical level in your classroom? In this course, you will examine what it means to teach for rigor as well as the benefits of rigorous instruction. Multimedia course content and activities will build your understanding of cognitive rigor as you categorize learning tasks using Bloom’s Taxonomy, Depth of Knowledge, as well as the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix. Through examples and curated resources, you will discover a number of ways to create and revise learning tasks and lessons to increase rigor and provide the appropriate support and scaffolds to ensure each student meets the goals you set with them. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 545   Project-Based Learning and the Four "Cs" 3 credits

This course delves into the practice of project-based learning (PBL) as a powerful tool for fostering the 4 Cs of 21st Century Learning: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. Educators will embark on a journey of discovery to see how PBL can cultivate these essential skills in students to prepare them for success in the rapidly evolving learning landscape in the 21st Century. By the end of the course, teachers will have a deep understanding of how PBL can effectively integrate the 4 Cs into their classrooms, empowering students to become active, engaged, and adaptable learners. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 554   Teaching Early Learners Through Project-Based Learning (PBL) 3 credits

As an educator, you want to inspire a love of learning in your students that lasts a lifetime. A project-based approach for early learners encourages students to direct their learning through inquiry, problem-solving, and meaningful real-world applications so that they can identify and take on life challenges with confidence, passion, and resilience. In this course, you will learn lesson design strategies for using project-based learning (PBL) to teach early learners. You will explore how to effectively differentiate and design lessons that inspire all students to conduct hands-on investigations and research in a way that is meaningful and engaging. By embracing a project-based approach for early learners, you will unlock their potential to become self-directed, inquisitive problem solvers, equipped with the skills to conquer real-world challenges. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 559   The Law and Legal Issues for Educators and Schools 3 credits

This course is designed to equip and empower educators with a solid understanding of the legal framework surrounding education. You will engage with the intricacies of federal laws and landmark Supreme Court cases that have a direct impact on the educational landscape, and learn about legal resources pertaining to the rights of both teachers and students. You will create an informational artifact highlighting a current key educational issue in your state, and prioritize the well-being of students by designing a routine centered on physical and/or mental safety. You’ll finish the course with a comprehensive and practical foundation to navigate legal considerations, promote student rights, and enhance safety within the educational landscape. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 563   Delegation and Other School Leader Superpowers 3 credits

The art of delegating, when used efficiently and effectively, can make a big impact on the lives of school leaders. In this course, you will see the myriad of ways delegation is not only good for school leaders, but has the power to lift others so they have a chance to shine! Explore how delegating enhances efficiency and effectiveness, and use the Eisenhower Matrix to organize your day. Learn how strategies like a morning huddle, asking good questions, and managing your To-Do List can streamline your life, and help you stay focused on what matters most. At the end of the course, you’ll discover the impact and importance of wellness as an antidote to burnout, so you can continue to thrive as a healthy school leader. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 570   What Great Teachers Do 3 credits

Explore the beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that form the fabric of life in the best classrooms and schools and see what it means to be a great teacher! What Great Teachers Do Differently takes a look at a number of great teacher topics including classroom management, testing, decision making, and relationship building. Participants will examine their core beliefs, be asked to challenge the status quo and develop activities meant to inspire students. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 571   Differentiated Learning: How to Teach to Varying Ability Levels 3 credits

"This course addresses an issue that every educator faces: how to effectively teach students who have widely different skill levels, interests, and learning styles. In this course, participants will learn how to effectively coordinate their time, resources, and efforts so that learning is maximized for each student in class through differentiated instruction strategies. Participants will learn how to take their specific curriculum and the particular needs of each student, and design and teach successful lessons. Strategies presented in this course are backed by research and classroom success. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 572   Building Strong Relationships in the Classroom: Care to Connect 2 credits

Building relationships in a classroom with and among students of different cultures, languages, and life experiences can be a challenge for many teachers, but this course can help! Students are universally social beings who are hard wired with the need to connect. By taking time to cultivate deep, authentic connections, educators can make a positive impact on student confidence and ultimately achievement. In this course, educators will examine the role that relationships play in creating the ideal learning environment and explore research-based strategies for developing strong individual and community connections as well as managing behavior challenges with non-punitive interventions. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 573   Move, Grow, Play! Using Play to Teach and Learn 3 credits

Did you know that students who are running and jumping are learning the laws of physics? That learning about surface tension involves blowing bubbles? That children who are picking up cotton balls with tongs are developing their pincer grips? These are just a few examples of how children learn through play. Textbook author Lisa Murphy challenges us to ensure our professional practice focuses on what the research proves is the foundation of learning: play. In this inspiring course, you will learn ways to add the “Magnificent Seven” to your lessons, gather evidence that champions learning through play, and will return laughter, joy, and play to your classroom! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 574   Activate and Energize the Learning Brain 3 credits

Did you know that students who are running and jumping are learning the laws of physics? That learning about surface tension involves blowing bubbles? That children who are picking up cotton balls with tongs are developing their pincer grips? These are just a few examples of how children learn through play. Textbook author Lisa Murphy challenges us to ensure our professional practice focuses on what the research proves is the foundation of learning: play. In this inspiring course, you will learn ways to add the “Magnificent Seven” to your lessons, gather evidence that champions learning through play, and will return laughter, joy, and play to your classroom! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 575   Creating an Anti-Racist Classroom 3 credits

Talking about race, though challenging, is necessary. It’s a conversation all of us need to have, no matter our race, background, or comfort level. In this powerful course, you will examine your own racial socialization and learn about the complex history of race in America. Once you’ve made these critical connections between past and present, you will explore ways to facilitate productive dialogue around race, identity, inequality, and justice with students (or among colleagues). You will learn anti-biased/anti-racist approaches to classroom instruction and learn how ensure equity in the curricular materials you choose. Whether you teach young students or young adults, this course will give you the tools you need to engage age-level appropriate, critical conversations about race and actively work towards rooting out racism. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 576   An Educator’s Guide to Global Thinking and Cultural Competence 3 credits

Whether you are increasingly aware of the beautiful, growing diversity in our student populations, wishing to make better connections with your students, or feeling the need to situate content-area lessons within real-world cultural contexts, this course is for you. You’ll collaborate with others to develop a Global Competence Toolkit, infuse content areas with culturally responsive teaching best practices, and design tools that will help you continue to build your cultural competence. Global Thinking and Cultural Competence will advance your thinking, expand your knowledge, and ensure that you have the language, examples, and strategies to increase your teaching effectiveness. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 577   Reimagining Assessment for the Whole Child 3 credits

Need some new methods to measure student learning beyond test scores and report cards? This course will encourage participants to align their teaching and assessment practices through the development of a learning continuum, pre-assessments, formative assessments and learning stories. Additionally, participants will reflect on the impact of current assessment practices and determine necessary changes while considering and honoring the whole child. The text and course are filled with assessment strategies to engage students and families in the learning process while providing teachers with the information needed to plan their instruction. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 578   Engagement Strategies for the 21s Century Thinking Classroom 3 credits

Are you looking for strategies to increase engagement and improve essential 21st century skills in your students? Is it time to move from the traditional classroom model to a thinking classroom model? If so, this course is for you! You will learn how to apply the higher levels of the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy to nurture your students’ cognitive abilities. Using movement, collaboration and media literacy, you will discover new methods for increasing engagement. This course will allow you to transform your classroom using ready-to-use activities, lessons, tools and ideas you will create for the course. Get ready to boost student engagement in your thinking classroom! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 579   Mindsets and Skillsets for a Culturally Responsive Classroom 3 credits

Start your “journey to responsiveness” with a focus on both the mindset shifts and skills necessary to be a culturally and linguistically responsive educator. With an emphasis on the “how to” of equity work, this course will help you develop strategies using the Validate-Affirm-Build-Bridge (VABB) framework to first acknowledge and honor your students’ diverse experiences, then build a bridge to rigorous academic and social standards. Through reflection, exploration, and strategic planning, this course will help educators make the shift to an asset (rather than deficit) approach that fosters positive outcomes for all. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 580   Creating a Vision for Equity in Education 3 credits

If you are ready to bring the real world into your classroom, this course on authentic teaching and learning is for you. Delve into numerous instructional strategies useful for increasing relevance and engagement for students as they connect present and future lives outside of school with curricular concepts. Investigate 21st Century skills and inquiry for incorporation into your teaching. Design a backwards built project-based learning plan to use with your students. Generate starting points for problem-based learning and develop a plan to implement case-based learning with your students. You will come away from this course with a solid understanding of authentic learning and ready-to-use activities that can be immediately applied to your teaching. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 581   Authentic Teaching and Learning for the 21st Century 3 credits

If you are ready to bring the real world into your classroom, this course on authentic teaching and learning is for you. Delve into numerous instructional strategies useful for increasing relevance and engagement for students as they connect present and future lives outside of school with curricular concepts. Investigate 21st Century skills and inquiry for incorporation into your teaching. Design a backwards built project-based learning plan to use with your students. Generate starting points for problem-based learning and develop a plan to implement case-based learning with your students. You will come away from this course with a solid understanding of authentic learning and ready-to-use activities that can be immediately applied to your teaching. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 582   Max Lrning for All thru Differ 3 credits

TSTX 583   Bringing Students from Unfinished Learning to Soaring Achievement 3 credits

As a result of Covid-19, educators understand students will have inconsistencies in their knowledge and skills. The term for this loss? Unfinished Learning. In this course, educators will meet the challenge of unfinished learning through tried-and-true practices like building relationships, designing differentiated lessons to increase student confidence, supporting autonomy, and using diagnostic tools to measure student needs. With these strategies, teachers will bridge the learning loss gap with acceleration, recovery, and retention. Educators will leave this course with new knowledge that will ensure students grow, thrive and shine! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 584   Inspire Student-Driven Learning with Questioning and Inquiry 3 credits

What are the keys to an engaging and curious classroom? Questioning and inquiry! This course explores the structure, skills, and strategies of questioning and inquiry through lesson analysis, evaluation, and creation. You’ll design your own inquiry cycle and connect it to a 5-step lesson plan. Learn how to ensure student voice and choice in both questioning and discussions through engaging questions to activate student-driven learning. You’ll finish this class with a toolbox of strategies to deepen learning in your classroom with questioning and inquiry through small changes with big impact! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 585   Coaching Your Students to Action Using the Feedback Loop 3 credits

Are you a teacher working to improve student outcomes? Come find out how you can coach your students using the feedback loop! Discover how to provide assessment insights to your learners and collaborate with families for continuous learning. Course activities encourage you to think like a coach through analysis of classroom language, crafting of high-quality and personalized feedback, and experimenting with new assessment and feedback methods. You will complete the course with a fresh take on feedback and a newfound ability to coach your students to learning success! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 586   Innov Strate for Every Classrm 3 credits

Innovation is as much about incremental change as it is about disrupting the status quo. It does not require technology or engineering. By contrast, innovation does require a willingness to focus on deep learning and it asks educators to revisit practices that often focus on compliance and completion more than thinking and understanding. This course offers specific strategies and approaches to improve creativity, curiosity, and passion in teaching and learning. The educational ecosystem, the commitment to try new ideas, and the benefits of collaboration are all key ingredients in this fresh recipe for innovation. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 587   Beyond Growth Mindsets for Learning Without Limits 3 credits

Did you know that mistakes and struggle make your brain grow? Or that “math brain” doesn’t exist? How about the direct connection between belief and physical change? Growth mindset instruction has been widely adopted as a learning approach by educators, and now, Stanford professor Dr. Jo Boaler levels up to introduce research showing the brain to be truly limitless in both flexibility and strength. Learn how to increase your growth mindset within language and professional practice. Explore the ways collaboration and other multi-dimensional approaches directly impact brain growth. Through research and stories around productive struggle, neuroplasticity, and a connected brain, this course makes a strong case for embracing and practicing a growth mindset. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 588   Strategies to Make Learning Stick 3 credits

When it comes to learning, work smarter, not harder! This course draws upon current research on the Science of Learning to provide teachers with surprisingly simple strategies that will make students’ time spent learning and studying more effective. We’ll bridge the gap between the tried and true research on how the brain learns and retains information, and the day-to-day reality of teaching a dynamic classroom of students. You’ll learn the basics of how the brain takes in and stores information, as well as best practices for retrieval. We’ll share easy-to-implement strategies to make learning “sticky” and guide you through lesson design that can improve outcomes for students. No matter the subject or grade level you teach, you’ll walk away with “smarter” strategies to create more efficient and independent learners. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 589   Future-Ready Fluencies for 21st Century Learners 3 credits

One important contention drives this course’s purpose: schools need to evolve to fully prepare students for the future. To guide this evolution, we look to skills, or “fluencies,” to help students grow in proficiency as they see and interact with the world. The text authors offer six skills, or fluencies – Solution, Collaboration, Information, Communication, Creativity, and Global Citizenship – to replace the traditional focus on the three “R’s.” In this informational and practical course, you will collaborate with a colleague to identify connections between fluencies and content, and create a tool to track your findings for later planning. You’ll understand how to create fluency-based activities using problem-based learning, and you’ll design an authentic assessment to measure student success. Finally, you’ll leave this course full of fresh ideas for progressive teaching using the fluencies to keep learning relevant, applicable, engaging and future focused. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 590   Spark Deeper Learning with Thinking Routines 3 credits

You may have heard of Think-Pair-Share or See-Think-Wonder, but did you know these are thinking routines? Developed through research from Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, thinking routines are simple structures designed to be used individually or collaboratively to support deeper thinking and learning. Sets of questions or short steps may be used again and again, with any grade, content, or context to make students’ thinking visible, enabling metacognition and formative assessment. With many opportunities to practice their “thinking moves” in a supportive classroom culture, student engagement and understanding are enhanced. In this practical and applicable course, you will explore ways to pair tech tools with thinking routines that spark the skills students need to be creative, critical, and curious 21st Century learners! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 591   Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to Create Inclusive and Equitable Classrooms 3 credits

Shift from a one-size-fits-all curriculum to the classroom your students deserve with a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and equity approach. With accessibility, empowerment, and rigor at its core, UDL aims to minimize barriers to learning and open up multiple pathways for student success, no matter their background. Take a fresh look at curricular and instructional design to ensure that the learning you provide aligns with UDL best practices, as well as social justice, culturally responsive, and equitable teaching practices. You’ll gain practical strategies for lesson and assessment design, ideas for increased engagement, and take a peek into classrooms that are finding success. Whether you are just starting out with UDL, or are looking for inspiration to improve implementation, this course will guide you! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 592   Finding Funds for Student Fulfillment 3 credits

To fully prepare students for our rapidly changing world, educators must continue to engage students in creative and innovative learning opportunities. You’ll engage with the funding and grant resources that are ready to provide “free money” to support a variety of educational initiatives and projects. This course is designed to walk you through key steps for requesting funding by identifying, researching, defining, and budgeting for a project. Complete this course with a foundational document and build a dynamic funding proposal to bring amazing ideas to life! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 593   Engaging Learners Through Productive Struggle 3 credits

When the brain is challenged, insightful learning happens! Our students need us to create more opportunities for them to grapple with new ideas and content. Transform your classroom to a place where mistakes are celebrated, grit is valued, and all students can learn through clear and rigorous expectations. Set learning intentions with specific criteria for success, develop constructive feedback, examine implicit bias, and evaluate ways to improve your teaching processes to honor a “not yet” mindset. Keep joy and creativity alive in designing activities to reach every student, and collaborate with colleagues to develop new ideas. Your work will ensure your classroom is a place to feel supported and encouraged to engage in “cognitive wobbling.” This course will foster a deeper and more gratifying way of learning, through productive struggle. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 594   Engaging Learners Through Productive Struggle 3 credits

Executive skills are becoming a focal point for many educational professionals, as they are integral to lifelong success for ALL learners. This course seeks to define executive function skills and offers a variety of ways to teach, assess, intervene, and adapt to help all students be successful. Participants will come away with many teaching structures and activities to strengthen executive functioning in learners. Teachers will learn strategies their students can immediately put into action and methods for tying executive function skills to teaching and learning academic content. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 595   Co-Teaching: Partners in Practice 3 credits

Co-teaching has increasingly become more popular as education moves to more collaborative models of instruction. This course will help you to reflect on what you can bring to a co-teaching framework, and to reflect on aspects of co-teaching that are essential for you (and your partner!) to succeed in that environment. You’ll learn the different co-teaching models, how to co-teach with a specialist, and how to apply specific strategies to foster learning in a collaborative environment. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 596   The Challenging Child: Strategies for the Early Childhood Classroom 3 credits

Created for early childhood education professionals, this course introduces key strategies designed to prevent, assess and address challenging behaviors in young children. Focused on proactivity, the methods presented encourage early childhood teachers to lay a solid foundation with children and parents/guardians. Additionally, participants will learn about and develop processes for data collection, intervention planning and implementation. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 597   Teach Like A Champ: Effective Strategies for an Engaged Classroom 3 credits

Take time to stop, reflect, and analyze why you run your classroom the way that you do. Are you spending too much time managing, and not enough time teaching? Are your students getting the most out of your instruction? This course will renew educators in the quest for efficient, engaging, and effective teaching strategies that demand the best of all students. Realign the focus to a flow of content and learning instead of housekeeping and maintaining order by utilizing techniques that speak to all aspects of instructional framework. Whether this is your first or your fifteenth year in the classroom, you will be enlightened and reminded why you are good at what you do, and how students can thrive in your space. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 598   Learning with Laughter and Levity 1 credit

It's no joke! A significant amount of research exists about the positive impact of humor on student learning when used well by educators. As educators re-evaluate what it means to be effective, increased attention is being given to the affective factors, interests, and emotions within the learning environment. This course brings fun and levity to the forefront while providing specific methods for being humorous and revealing why memes, gifs, and comics are so engaging and effective. Course participants will investigate and develop strategies for humor-infused lesson plans, classroom activities, and routines. Connect with your students, enjoy your lessons, and remember that teaching and learning can be seriously fun. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 599   Transforming Schools Through Equity Coaching 3 credits

It's no joke! A significant amount of research exists about the positive impact of humor on student learning when used well by educators. As educators re-evaluate what it means to be effective, increased attention is being given to the affective factors, interests, and emotions within the learning environment. This course brings fun and levity to the forefront while providing specific methods for being humorous and revealing why memes, gifs, and comics are so engaging and effective. Course participants will investigate and develop strategies for humor-infused lesson plans, classroom activities, and routines. Connect with your students, enjoy your lessons, and remember that teaching and learning can be seriously fun. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 600   EQUIP for New Teachers 3 credits

EQUIP for New Teachers is designed with busy pre-service educators and new teachers in mind. The course includes curated resources on common new teacher challenges, professional microlearning modules, and exemplary videos of highly-effective teachers in action. Microlearning modules and Teaching Channel videos encourage direct application to professional practice and provide many opportunities for reflection. Participants will complete an authentic assignment for use in their classroom or role for each of the ten modules (i.e. lesson, classroom management, and implementation plans) and a final written reflection. EQUIP for New Teachers supports teachers with five or fewer years of experience. Registrants will have access to the course for twelve months from the date of registration. Course topics include professionalism, classroom management, relationship building, instructional best practices, teaching strategies, lesson planning, student engagement, culturally responsive teaching, wellness, differentiation, assessment, and more! This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 601   Creating Transformative Professional Development 3 credits

Empower your PD planning and facilitation with this course designed for teacher leaders, workshop presenters, and administrators. Using The PD Book’s 7 Habits as your guide, you'll learn how to transform your professional development sessions from transactional to transformative. Discover strategies for engaging reluctant participants, navigating power dynamics, and ensuring psychological safety. With an intentional design template, checklists, and knowledge of adult learning theory, you'll use an equity lens to create effective and comprehensive PD experiences. Explore your own facilitator habits and learn how to adapt your plan as needed. Upon completion, you'll be ready to present a transformative PD experience that will receive rave reviews from your participants. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 602   Grow & Lrn w/ Nature Based Ed 3 credits

TSTX 603   The Art and Science of Positive Classroom Management 3 credits

Classroom management can be a challenge for educators, and there are as many schools of thought as there are behaviors! This course will introduce you to some of the main frameworks and philosophies of classroom management, and you’ll learn how they work with one another to increase success for students. You’ll explore fundamental strategies to proactively set the stage for learning and learn new-to-you strategies to help your students thrive in your classroom. Positive behavior is a learned skill, and you will leave this course with tools and frameworks to support student learning in your classroom the very next day. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.

TSTX 604   Unleash Your Teaching Greatness 3 credits

“There is no school that is better than its teachers.” This declaration is at the heart of the course Unleash Your Teaching Greatness. In this introspective and exploratory course, you will identify the characteristics and skills great teachers possess and ponder what makes a good teacher, great. Think back to why you chose the teaching profession and consider the power of your position to influence and mold the future. Understand how the relationships you create with students, parents, colleagues and administrators can help pave the path to teaching greatness and determine why practice and reflection are instrumental if we want to learn, grow, and master the art of teaching. This course is offered through the Teaching Channel.