Session 1: Introduction to the Course
Description:
- Introduction to the course (and students)
- Background (country, team, approach to the work, pedagogies, etc.)
Session 2: Ways of Learning
Description:
- Workshop on embodied learning with Professor Jennifer Light
Assignment:
- Introduce first positioning paper assignment
Session 3: Pillar 1: Social, Emotional, and Cultural Learning (SECL), Part 1
Description:
- Applying SECL in a high school context
- SECL at MIT
Guest Speakers:
- Dr. Peter Senge, MIT
- Prof. Pawan Sinha, MIT
- Nadine Zaza, MIT
Session 4: Pillar 1: Social, Emotional, and Cultural Learning (SECL), Part 2
Description:
- Workshop led by members of the Center for Systems Awareness
Guest Speaker/Workshop:
- Dr. Lana Cook, MIT
Session 5: Pillar 2: Transdisciplinary Academics, Part 1
Description:
- Panel discussing transdisciplinary programs at MIT and why they are so important
- Applying transdisciplinary teaching and learning
Guest Speakers:
- Paul Pettigrew, MIT
- Ari Epstein, MIT
- Svafa Grönfeldt, MIT
Session 6: Pillar 2: Transdisciplinary Academics, Part 2
Description:
- Hands-on workshop to explore different types of transdisciplinary learning, including Sustainable Development Projects (Belize), studio-based learning
Session 7: Pillar 3: Community Engagement, Part 1
Description:
- Panel exploring different ways of engaging with the community at the high school, college, and graduate school levels
Guest Speakers:
- Rosa Weinberg, MIT
- Kristy Chable, ISA
- David Birnbach, MIT
Session 8: Pillar 3: Community Engagement, Part 2
Description:
- Site visit (TBC)
Session 9: Key Learning Areas, Part 1
Description:
- Overview and discussion of key learning areas
- Presentation on MIT NEET
Assignment:
- School visit observation log due
Guest Speakers:
- Dr. Baba Mitra, MIT
- Dr. Rea Lavi, MIT
Session 10: Key Learning Areas, Part 2
Description:
- In-class charette to design key learning areas and career pathways
Activity:
- Charrette: teaching team and David Birnbach, MIT
Session 11: Key Learning Areas, Part 3
Description:
- Real world learning as a key learning area
- Presentation from Big Picture Learning educators and students
Assignment:
- Positioning paper #1 due
Guest Speakers:
- Andrew Frishman, Co-Executive Director, Big Picture Learning
- Students and educators from Big Picture Learning
Session 12: Competency-Based Learning and Assessment, Part 1
Description:
- Talk on competency-based learning and assessment, addressing how educators use different techniques in the classroom
Guest Speakers:
- Prof. Eric Klopfer, MIT
- Dr. Justin Reich, MIT
Session 13: Competency-Based Learning and Assessment, Part 2
Description:
- Alternate forms of assessment
- Rubrics
Activity:
- Workshop: to be confirmed
Session 14: Innovative Models, Part 1
Description:
- Case study: international
Guest Speakers:
- Ian Munro, Dollar Academy
- Cosmo Schools
- To be confirmed
Session 15: Innovative Models, Part 2
Description:
- Case Study: USA
Assignment:
- Students need to select a target population for the final project (local or international)
Guest Speakers:
- Rob Riordan, Co-Founder, High Tech High
- Bahktiar Mikhak, Powderhouse
Session 16: Site Visit: Dearborn STEM Academy
Description:
- Site visit to Dearborn STEM Academy
Activity:
- Site visit: Dearborn STEM Academy - BPE, Inc.
Session 17: Design Process
Description:
- Introduction to design principles
Assignment:
- School visit observation log due
Session 18: Early Stage Project Ideas
Description:
- Scenario building with specific user groups in mind, towards designing project ideas
Assignment:
- Positioning paper #2
Activity:
- Charrette: teaching team
Session 19: Concept Development
Description:
- Brainstorming in working teams on potential ideas for projects. Begin to build out these ideas based on scenarios developed in the previous session
- Define your framework and what informs the learning (profile of student, opportunities, interest, curriculum frameworks, etc.)
Assignment:
- Due: potential scenario based on the target population, answering the question, “What is the opportunity/need?”
Activity:
- Charrette: teaching team
Session 20: Project Work / Introduction to Project-Based Learning
Description:
- Time to work on projects during class and get feedback from teaching team as well as peers
Guest Speakers:
- Teaching team and guests: FSA teachers, ISA teachers, members of MIT K–12 community
Session 21: Introduction to Playtesting
Description:
- Learn about playtesting and prepare the team for facilitation, observation and data collection, and roles
Guest Speaker:
- Judy Perry, MIT
Session 22: Project Work / Introduction to Inquiry and Equitable Practices
Description:
- Time to work on projects during class and get feedback from teaching team as well as peers
Guest Speakers:
- Teaching team and guests: FSA teachers, ISA teachers, Members of MIT K–12 community
Session 23: Playtesting and Feedback / Project Work
Description:
- Time at the site (remote possibilities)
- Test projects and get feedback from other students and guest participants
Session 24: Playtesting and Feedback / Project Work
Description:
- Time at the site (remote possibilities)
- Test projects and get feedback from other students and guest participants
Session 25: Final Project Work
Description:
- Reflection on playtesting and refinement of project ideas
Session 26: Final Presentations and Review
Description:
- Open house for students of the class to share with the larger audience
Assignment:
- Final paper submission is due
