Incorporating Effective Teaching and Learning Methods

CEU Course Description

Part 1: As a relatively new strategy making its way onto the educational scene, Project-Based Learning seems to be making waves for all the right reasons. While tackling inquiry-based projects, students stand to grow in confidence, creativity, and even independence. New studies are even coming out that show that Project-Based Learning, or PBL, is a more equitable way to serve marginalized or underprivileged communities. PBL can even be leveraged to great effect for hybrid and virtual student communities. 

Part 2: There’s a wealth of current research emerging that demonstrates just how good teamwork, empathy, and reliable support is for students -- for now as they work together in their school environments and later as they move on into adulthood. Not only are these systems and skills linked to more favorable mental health outcomes and better academic performance, they can also set a student up for a lifetime of increased success and happiness. However, as all teachers know, getting students to productively and thoughtfully work together isn’t necessarily easy. How can we help our students unlock the ability to support each other and work as a team? How can we teach students how to practice empathy on a daily basis? 

Part 3: Hands-on learning can be a fun way to add interactivity to your lesson plans, but it’s also becoming clear that hands-on learning can benefit students for their entire lives. As tactile learning produces different brain activity and different types of memories than other, more traditional types of learning, it can be used to help students work towards mastery of subjects that previously eluded them. Hands-on learning can also help a student bolster a portfolio or become proficient in a skill they may use later on in a successful career. We’re also seeing evidence that hands-on learning can still be beneficial for remote and virtual students, as long as it’s implemented strategically.

Part 4: From issues with equal access to high-quality education all the way to emotional obstacles that directly inhibit successful comprehension, there are a world of barriers standing between school-age children and their goals. Unfortunately, barriers to education aren’t just for those learning. There are also barriers standing in the way of effective teaching, affecting everyone in the academic community as a result. In this course, we’ll review some of the most common obstacles to effective teaching and learning. We’ll take a look at some current strategies for overcoming them, as well as some of the neuroscience underlying the way our brains tackle the problems we face. Finally, some practical ways that teachers can help both individual students and entire families as they tackle stressors, difficult learning challenges, and more will be addressed.

CEU Course Objectives

Part 1:

1. Describe the basic components and characteristics of PBL. 
2. Discuss the pros and the cons (or challenges) associated with launching a PBL module. 
3. List the characteristics and essential elements of PBL.
4. Learn from the two latest gold-standard studies delving into the benefits of PBL. 
5. Consider ways to incorporate PBL for a wide range of learning scenarios, such as hybrid and virtual learning.
6. Discuss ways to get parents on board with PBL.
7. Talk about ways to build inherent motivation in students.