DRAFT
11.125
Spring 2009
TR 2:30-4:00 (24-121)
Exploring K-12 Classroom Teaching
Prof. Eric Klopfer (klopfer@mit.edu)
Subject uses K-12 classroom experiences, along with student-centered classroom activities and student-led classes, to explore issues in schools and education. Students in this course spend time each week observing pre-college math and science classes. Topics of study include design and implementation of curriculum, addressing the needs of a diversity of students, standards in math and science, student misconceptions, methods of instruction, the digital divide, teaching through different media, and student assessment.
Co-Instructor - Wendy Huang
Writing Tutor - Jo-Ann Graziano
Go to Moodle Assignments and Forum
Week 1 (Feb 3 and 5) – Introduction
- Classroom Pre-Practicum
- Current Events Overview
- Blogs and Portfolios
- Goals, Expectations and Assignments
- Activity - Teaching Without Words
- Course Texts
- Integrated readings throughout
- Readings
- Assignment (Due 2/19)
Week 2 (February 12 and 14) – Misconceptions
- Activity - How Students Learn Jigsaw (Ch 1, 5, 9)
- Preconceptions
- Facts and Conceptual Understanding
- Self-assessment
- Videos – My Private Universe (Space Biology/Electricity)
- Misconceptions discussion (read articles below for class)
- Current Events
- Readings
- Assignment (Draft Due 3/3, Final Due 3/17)
Week 3 (Feb 19) –Classroom Observation
- MIT Observations Discussion
- Writing Introduction (TBD)
- Current Events
Week 4 (Feb 24 and Feb 26) – Formative Assessment
- Formative Assessment - In-class Activity
- Assignment (Due 4/2)
Week 5 (March 3 and 5) – Standards and Standardized Tests
- Texas Standards and Standardized Tests
- TEKS High School Science and Math Standard
- TAAS Grade 8, 11th grade Science, 11th Grade Math , Biology
- Massachusetts State Frameworks - Comparison
- Current Events
- Discussion of first classroom observations (as available)
- Readings
- Knowing What Students Know
- Assessment in Practice
- Teaching, Standards, Tests Found Not Aligned (Education Week)
- Assignment (First One Due 3/3 or right after your first class - 6-8 required)
Week 6 (March 10 and 12) – Differentiated Instruction and Multiple Intelligences
- Brainstorming ways to differentiate instruction
- Readings jigsaw
- Diferentiating math instruction
- Classroom observations
- Current Events
- Readings
- Differentiated Instruction (handed out to groups for jigsaw)
- Associated readings (Multiple Intelligences)
- Associated readings (Multiple Intelligences)
- Assignment (reminder - due 4/2)
Week 7 (March 17 and 19) – Catch up and Writing
- Writing Activity (TBD)
- Discussion of Classroom Observations
- Current Events
Week 8 (March 31 and April 2) – Educational Technology and Teaching with Media
- Physics Lab
- Discussion of Classroom Observations
- Current Events
- Readings
- Impact of Educational Technology on Student Achievement
- Oversold and Underused
- Assignment (Due 4/23)
Week 9 (April 7 and April 9) – Educational Technology and Math Education
- Math Educational Technology
- Labyrinth
- Discussion of Classroom Observations
- Current Events
Week 11 (April 14 and 16) – Math Education and Writing
- Special Guest (4/14) - bring your graphing calculator
- Robert Gerver
- Town Hall Preparation
- Writing Work
- Current Events and Observations
- Introduce Final Assignment
- Planning Final Projects
- Reading
Week 12 (April 23) - Standards Town Hall
- Town Hall Meeting - Standards
- Final Portfolio (Due 5/14)
Weeks 12-14 (April 28, 30 and May 5, 7, 17, 14) – Final Projects
- Design and Teach a Lesson
- Readings
- Final Project/Assignment - Design and Teach a Lesson (Due May 14)