Course Description

Lindy Johnson

My research draws on sociocultural theories of mediated action (Vygotsky, 1978; Wertsch, 1991) and social semiotic theories of multimodality (Jewitt & Kress, 2003) to investigate the increasingly multimodal nature of digital technologies, and the emerging social practices and activities that arise from these technologies. I am particularly interested in examining the kinds of instructional supports both teachers and adolescents need in order to comprehend and create complex multimodal texts.Prior to pursuing my Ph.D. in Language and Literacy from The University of Georgia, I taught high school English in Boston Public Schools.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Pre-Work

    • Setting up for Success

    • Check In
  • 2

    Module 1: PBL 101

    • Video: Introduction

    • Getting to Know Each Other

    • PBL Readings

    • PBL Knowledge Check

    • Video: PBL and Deeper Learning

    • PBL Readings, part deux

    • PBL and Deeper Learning Readings (optional)
  • 3

    Module 2: Understanding by Design

    • What is UbD?

    • The Three Stages of Backwards Design

    • Deepening Learning with Understanding by Design

    • From Big Ideas...

    • Share Your Ideas: Learning Goals

    • Additional Resources (optional)

    • Unit Plan Template
  • 4

    Module 3: Best Practices in Mathematics Instruction

    • Introduction

    • How do you Help Students Make Sense of Mathematics?

    • Problems, Talk Moves, and Supporting Students' Strategies

    • Supporting Students' Strategies

    • Additional Resources (optional)

    • Share Your Thoughts: Best Practices
  • 5

    Module 4: Best Practices for Literacy Instruction

    • How Do We Learn?

    • Gradual Release of Responsibility

    • The "I Do, You Do, We Do Strategy"

    • Focus Lessons

    • Using Think Alouds

    • Introduction to Using Mentor Texts

    • Using Mentor Texts to Teach Writing

    • Using Mentor Text in Writer's Workshop- 1st grade and Kindergarten

    • Guided Instruction

    • Collaborative Work

    • Independent Work

    • Additional Resources (optional)

    • Share Your Thoughts: Best Practices
  • 6

    Module 5: Developing a Vision for Your PBL Experience

    • Video: Introduction

    • PBL Draft Discussion and Feedback

    • Drafting Your Project Focus

    • Essential Questions

    • What Makes a Good Essential Question?

    • Sharing Your Ideas: Essential Questions
  • 7

    Module 6: Beginning with the End in Mind

    • Video: Introduction

    • PBL Assessment Map

    • Video: Embedding Assessment Throughout the Project

    • Share your exhibition “vision board”

    • Video: Identifying and sequencing key understandings and skills

    • Video: Choosing assessment activities

    • Sharing Your Ideas: Assessments

    • Midpoint Check-in
  • 8

    Module 7: Designing an Entry Event for your PBL Experience

    • Video: Introduction

    • Video: Starting with a Bang!

    • Entry Event Exploration

    • Sharing Your Ideas: Entry Event
  • 9

    Module 8: Making Student Work Public

    • Video: Introduction

    • Public Exhibition at High Tech High and Beyond

    • Criteria and Models for Showcasing Student Work

    • Video: The Challenges with Student Exhibitions

    • Preparing for Public Exhibition

    • Share Your Concept
  • 10

    Module 9: Designing Learning Experiences

    • Video: Introduction

    • Video: Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

    • UDL Graphic Organizer

    • Sharing Your Ideas: Learning Activities

    • Complete Your Design Template

    • Conclusion
  • 11

    Module 10: Making Space for Reflection

    • Why is Reflection Important for Deeper Learning?

    • Consider Different Approaches to Teacher Reflection

    • Conclusion