Note: The course instructor reserves the right to change this outline at any time
(But don’t worry, I’ll always notify you and post the updated outline to the weekly modules in Canvas).
|
Week |
Discussion Topics |
Course Prep & MCAs |
WEEK 1A |
Course Overview § Instructor introduction § Overview Flashcard Assignment, Canvas organization |
Course Preparation: § Overview: Student Profile Flashcards (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 1B | § Course overview § What is Curriculum & Instruction? | § Article: Course syllabus § Video: Syllabus overview §
MCA: Student Profile Flashcards |
WEEK 2A |
Classroom Community § Go over syllabus § Classroom Community overview (MCA 1) |
Course Preparation: § Article: Wamsted (2022). Learning Students Names is the Most Important thing. § Video:
How to Remember People’s Names § Overview: Show-and-Tell (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 2B | § Learn classmates’ names § Show-and-Tell
| § Article: Gilbert (2019). The Importance of Community and Mental Health §
MCA: Show-and-Tell |
WEEK 3A |
Can learning be measured? § Measurable objectives § Writing measurable objectives |
Course Preparation: § Article: McTighe (2018). Three key questions on measuring learning § Video:
How to write measurable learning outcomes | How to Canvas § Overview: Utah School mini-study (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 3B | § Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to draft objectives | § Article: Lee (2023). How do you use Bloom’s Taxonomy in the classroom? §
MCA: Utah School mini-study |
WEEK 4A |
What is curriculum? § What are standards? § How are curricular units organized? § Utah Core Standards (overview) |
Course Preparation: § Article: Tunnell (2022). What makes an effective curriculum? § Article: Zook (2018). Digital curriculum vs. teacher-made curriculum § Overview: Unit Planner draft (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 4B | § Is curriculum given to or made by teachers? § How can teachers improve the quality of the curriculum? | § Article: Fu (2022). For students to succeed, put high-quality curriculum in teachers’ hands
|
WEEK 5A |
Curriculum in Context § What are contextual factors? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Renner (2019). What contextual factors will influence classroom management? § Video:
Learning about a child’s family culture |
WEEK 5B | § How do I choose instructional strategies (and learning activities) based on contextual factors? | § Article: Edley et al (2019). Contextual Influences §
MCA4: Unit Planner draft |
WEEK 6A |
Assessment, Mastery, & Criteria § Overview: MCA 3 Unit Planner § What is “Assessment”? § What is backwards planning? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Edutopia (2008). What are some types of assessment? § Video:
What is Assessment for Learning? § Overview: Day 1 Lesson Plan (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 6B | § How do I make a valid assessment of learning? | § Video:
The Super Mario Effect | TEDx Talks | Mark Rober
|
WEEK 7A |
Instructional Strategies § What is learning theory? § How does a learning theory impact instruction? |
Course Preparation: § Video:
The 5 Learning Theories | The Art of Personal Growth
|
WEEK 7B | § What is an instructional strategy? § What are learning activities? | § Article: Staake (2023). 30 Instructional Strategies: Examples for Every Kind of Classroom § Article: Davis (2023). Instructional Strategies and Learning Activities (overview) §
MCA: Day 1 Lesson Plan |
WEEK 8A |
Creating a Lesson Plan § What is the purpose of the beginning of a lesson? Middle? End? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Education Advanced (2022). How to Create a lesson plan: 6 easy steps § Article: Ayres (2023). 3 Steps to writing better lesson plans § Overview: Day 2 Lesson Plan (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 8B | § How do I write the beginning phase action steps? Middle action steps? End? | § Video:
Classroom Activities for Teaching | Teachings in education § Article: Vinikas (2024). Top 15 online classroom games & activities
|
WEEK 9A |
Teaching Interactions § What are the best instructional strategies for your students? § What are the best learning strategies for your students? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Ertel (2022). 10 Creative Ways to better engage your students
|
WEEK 9B | § What is the value of community (like a PLC) for new teachers? § How can teachers create their own communities? § Utilizing LessonPlanDirectory.com | § Article: Wennerth (2025). The Case for a Teaching Community § Video:
The Power of Professional Learning Communities | Educational Partners International § Video: Overview of LessonPlanDirectory.com §
MCA: Day 2 Lesson Plan |
WEEK 11A |
Developing Assessments § What is a formative assessment? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Thomas, L. (2019). 7 Smart Fast Ways to do Formative Assessment § Overview: MCA 7 (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 11B | § What is a Pre- or baseline assessment? Post assessment? § How are Pre- and Post-tests used in instruction? | § Article: Loyola, S. W. (2015). 5 Tips for a More Meaningful Rubric § Video:
Creating Effective Rubrics | CTL at UofA §
MCA: Day 3 Lesson Plan |
WEEK 12A |
Analyzing Assessment Data § Where does instructional data come from? How do I analyze it? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Bolz & Madhavan (2023). What is Data-Driven Instruction in Education? § Video: Creating Effective Rubrics § Overview: Day 4 Lesson Plan (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 12B | § How is instructional data used to change instruction and/or assessments? | § Article: Loyola (2015). 5 Tips for a More Meaningful Rubric
|
WEEK 13A |
Meeting Learner Needs § What is differentiation? How do I differentiate for learner needs? § What are “evidence-based practices”? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Williams, C. (2023). Differentiated Instruction: Meeting the Needs of All Learners § Article: Hess, R. (2023). The Promises and Limits of Evidence-Based Practice § Video:
Differentiating Instruction: It’s Not as Hard as You Think | Ed Week § Video: MCA 7 Overview
|
WEEK 13B | § What is Universal Design for Learning” | § Article: Schwartz, S. (2022). 4 Principles of a Universal Design for Learning Approach § Video:
What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)? | John Spencer §
MCA: Day 4 Lesson Plan |
WEEK 14A |
The Future of K-12 Curriculum § What is the future of K-12 curriculum? § How can we prepare for that future now? |
Course Preparation: § Article: Atlantic (2017). The K-12 Classroom Experience in the Age of Personalized Learning § Article: Mintz, S. (2020). K-12 Trends and the Future of Higher Education § Article: Gray, P. (2023). Education’s Future: What Will Replace K-12 and College? § Overview: Day 5 Lesson Plan (Video & PDF)
|
WEEK 14B |
Creating Curriculum § HILL Academy § Lesson Plan directory | § Video: Student Choice: any TEDx talk on the Future of Education §
MCA: Day 5 Lesson Plan |
WEEK 15A |
Creating Curriculum § Opportunities in Curriculum and Instruction |
Course Preparation: § Article: Jarrett (2022). Top 10 Benefits of Using YouTube in the Classroom
|
WEEK 15B | § Course summary § An invitation to develop and contribute curriculum § Class party/auction | § Article: Christensen (2024). Understanding Curriculum Development
| No final “exam” is given in this course