T-527 Fall 2009 How to Teach for Understanding Sharing Designs and Thematic Reflections 12 November 2009

T-527 Fall 2009 Themes from Readings Jonassen et al. –Meaningful, authentic learning is constructive, intentional, and cooperative –Using technology to support meaningful learning requires changes in schools, teachers, students toward sharing authority and responsibility for learning –Well designed projects can address standards for content, process, and technology AND interesting, deep learning Wiske et al. on the future of teaching and learning –Transmission-style instruction is not adequate –Teaching for Understanding is a process –Effective use of technology is a process –Support cultures for collaborative, reflective learning

T-527 Fall 2009 Key design considerations Alignment – goals/performances/assessments –What understanding do you want learners to develop? –What criteria and evidence would demonstrate high quality understanding? –What learning and assessment activities will develop and demonstrate learners’ understanding? –How will learners share feedback to revise and improve? Collaboration – sharing authority and responsibility –How can educational cultures shift from top-down leadership/accountability and transmission-style instruction? –How can teachers learn to negotiate intellectual authority and management control with leaders and learners? –How can students learn to assume more responsibility for promoting their own and peers’ learning?