11.124
Fall 2008 - DRAFT
TR 2:30-4:00 (24-121)
Introduction to Teaching and Learning
Prof. Eric Klopfer (klopfer@mit.edu)
This course provides an introduction to teaching and learning in a variety of K-12 settings. Through visits to schools, classroom discussions, selected readings, and hands-on activities, we explore the challenges and opportunities of teaching. Topics of study include educational technology, design and experimentation, student learning, and careers in education.
Go to Moodle Assignments, Forums and Blogs 
Ongoing Assignments
- Current Events (see instructions here)
- Weekly readings from Left Back -A Century of Battles Over School Reform
- Weblogs (in Moodle)
Week 1 (September 4) – Introduction
- Introduction to Introduction to Teaching and Learning
- Class format and location
- Observations
- Moodle Site (Assignments, Blogs, Portfolios)
- Readings
- How People Learn - Classroom Environments Theme
- Left Back
- Assignment Overview
- Activities - Metaphors for Teaching and Learning (see Pictures and Drawings) + Teach Someone
Section I - Schools and Classrooms
- Images of Schools
- Classroom Environments
- School Issues
- Education Reform
Week 2 (September 9/11)
- What are schools like?
- What do we think schools are like?
- Video views of schools and classrooms
- Initial Discussion of Student Portfolios and Weblogs
- Introduction to Current Events and Sample (Check out EdTags)
- Readings
Week 3 (September 16/18)
- Education Reform
- What are the major problems in education? Brainstorming
- Definitions of education reform
- Activity - How does reform address (or fail to address) the problems in education?
- Classroom Environments Jigsaw
- Current Events and Left Behind Start
- Readings
- Hot Topics - No Child Left Behind (Education Week)
- No Child Left Behind (Official Site)
- Education Reform Readings - Ellmore, Pro-NCLB, Con-NCLB, Ed Reform
- Assignment (Due September 30)
Week 4 (September 23/25)
- Straw Towers Activity Part I (powerpoint) (Pictures and Summary)
- Straw Towers Part II (pictures)
- Current Events and Left Behind
- Readings
- Chapters 4 & 6 from How People Learn
- Transformative Communication as a Cultural Tool for Guiding Inquiry Science (Pullman and Pea 2001)
- Assignment (Due October 2)
- First Observations - Reactions posted to your Blog
- Check out the info on getting your blog started
- First Observations - Reactions posted to your Blog
Section II - Learning and Assessment
- Ways of Learning and Types of Learners
- Standards and Assessment
Week 5 (September 30/Oct 2)
- Physics - Pulleys (Pictures) - Summary Board
- What do we learn?
- Current Events and Left Behind
- Readings
- Chapter 2 from how People Learn
- Assignment (Due October 16)
- How do we learn? (participate in moodle forum for grading rubric)
Week 6 (October 7/9)
- Introduction to Modes of Teaching
- Math Education I
- Towers of Five
- Private Universe (video)
- Current Events and Left Behind
- Readings
- Math Ed Readings
- Implementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction
- Virtual Manipulatives in Mathematics Education
- The Learning Pricniple
- MA Frameworks
- Math Ed Readings
- Blog Focus (Due October 23)
Section III - Teaching
- Pedagogies and Practices
Weeks 7 (October 14/16)
- Math Education II
- Math Games
- Design a Math Game
- Current Events and Left Behind
- Readings
- Developing mathematical understanding through invented games
- Let's do math: wanna play?
- Blog Focus (Due October 23)
- Assignment (Due November 13 )
Weeks 8-9 (October 21/23/28 )
- Modes of Teaching (Day 1 Day 2 Day 3)
- Assignment (Due November 6)
Week 9 (October 30)
- Trip to the Museum of Science or MIT Museum (Pictures)
- Informal Learning Environments - Museum Visit
Week 10 (November 4-6)
- Math Education II (Games Presentation)
- Current Events and Left Behind Catch-up
Section IV - Technology in the Classroom
- Digital Divide
- Modeling
- Internet
Week 11-13(November 13, 18, 20 and 25)
- Modeling and Simulation - Post and Read Projects in Moodle
- Constructionism - Learning through Programming
- StarLogo TNG Website (contains tutorials and documentation)
- Concept Mapping and Teacher Education (Time Allowing)
- Introduction to Concept Mapping
- Concept Mapping 11.124
- Current Events and Left Behind
- Readings
- Chapters 3 & 9 from How People Learn
- Changing How and What Children Are Learning...
- Disrupting Class
- The Theory of Concept Maps and How to Construct Them
- Group Approach to Concept Mapping
- Assignments
- Technology Centered Environments (written - Due 12/2)
- Technology in Education (poster - Due 11/25 ) (Pictures)
Town Hall Debate
Week 14-15 (December 2, 4 and 9)
- Town Hall Meeting Planning on Laptops in Schools (for more info see the moodle forum on this)
- Current Events and Left Behind Catch-up
- Assignment (Due December 9)
- Wrap-up