Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/interactive-teaching
Are you an educator looking to revitalize your teaching methods and engage your students more effectively? Coursera’s ‘Interactive Teaching’ course (インタラクティブ・ティーチング) is an absolute gem that I highly recommend. This comprehensive program is designed to equip educators at all levels – from university professors and graduate students to primary and secondary school teachers and corporate trainers – with the skills and knowledge to create truly dynamic learning environments.
The course is structured into three engaging parts: Knowledge Sessions, Skill Sessions, and Story Sessions. The Knowledge Sessions delve into the core principles of interactive learning, explaining what it means to foster an environment where students are active participants. The Skill Sessions, drawing from the world of theater and expression, provide practical techniques for creating student-centered learning experiences. Finally, the Story Sessions feature insights from leading researchers and practitioners, sharing their personal journeys and approaches to teaching.
Let’s break down the weekly syllabus:
* **Week 1: Learning about Active Learning** – This week sets the foundation by defining active learning, exploring its various applications, and discussing its effectiveness and future prospects. It also touches upon the importance of self-introductions in teaching.
* **Week 2: Active Learning Techniques** – Get hands-on with practical methods like ‘Think-Pair-Share,’ ‘Jigsaw Method,’ ‘Poster Tour,’ and ‘Peer Instruction.’ You’ll also learn to navigate common group work challenges.
* **Week 3: The Science of Learning** – Dive into the psychology of learning, understanding factors that boost motivation, student mastery, and how to design effective practice and feedback.
* **Week 4: Designing a 90-minute Class** – Learn the art of class design, including the ADDIE model and Gagne’s ‘Nine Events of Instruction,’ to craft a well-structured lesson.
* **Week 5: Designing a more User-Friendly Syllabus** – Discover how to create syllabi that truly promote learning, from setting clear objectives to visualizing class structure with graphic syllabi.
* **Week 6: Evaluations that Promote Learning** – Understand the nuances of assessment, comparing formative and summative evaluations, and learning about concepts like reliability, validity, and rubrics.
* **Week 7: Thinking about Career Paths (1): What Being a Professor Means** – Explore the evolving role of educators in higher education, covering duties like teaching, research, and social contribution, and how to build your ideal faculty profile.
* **Week 8: Thinking about Career Paths (2): The Use of Portfolio** – Focus on creating a Structured Academic Portfolio (SAP) to document and reflect on your teaching, research, and service activities.
What I particularly loved about this course were the practical Skill Sessions, which offered actionable advice on everything from public speaking to creating space for interaction. The Story Sessions provided inspiring real-world examples and diverse perspectives on teaching, making the learning experience rich and relatable.
Whether you’re looking to inject more energy into your lectures, improve student participation, or refine your overall pedagogical approach, ‘Interactive Teaching’ offers invaluable insights and practical tools. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone passionate about making a difference in the lives of their learners.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/interactive-teaching