HDP 7001

Collaboration, Curriculum, Community and Teaching

Dr. Marlene Scardamalia

Course Overview

This course will enable candidates to analyze the interrelated conditions that shape the classroom context specifically and educational change generally. The impact of community and collaboration upon the curriculum and role of the teacher are studied in detail. Topics include cooperative learning, parent participation, and the influence of collegial relationships with students, parents, community, government and social business agencies upon the classroom and the school. Specifically, the course will help teacher candidates develop a critical awareness of the intersections among schools, classrooms, communities, and society within the changing context of the learning environment. The course helps new teachers understand the ways in which their professional work (inside and beyond the classroom) helps prepare teachers and students to be active participants in a changing society. It engages participants in an examination of the purposes of education, education policy, and of teachers’ responsibility to work productively with school colleagues and other adults to achieve equitable access, experiences, and outcomes for all students. The role of technology and technological change are also examined.

 

Course Expectations

Upon completing the course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding the processes of cooperative and collaborative learning.

Demonstrate an understanding the role of leadership in school change and school culture.

Demonstrate an understanding of the use of, and appreciation for, technology in the classroom.

Demonstrate an understanding the role of partnership in education.

 

Topics

Cooperative Learning

Knowledge building

Knowledge Societies and Collaborative Learning

Role of technology in education

Creating a classroom culture

Culture of the schools

School leadership and school change

Influence of collegial relationships with students

Influence of collegial relationships with parents

Influence of collegial relationships with government and social agencies

Influence of collegial relationships with community groups/organizations

School culture and teachers development

Parent involvement

School councils

Role of partnerships

Evaluation

Course Evaluation

Three of the major program assignments and the mark for professionalism contribute to the grade for this course as follows:

Portfolio 40%

Group Investigation 20%

Curriculum Project 20%

Professionalism 20%

Assigned reading

Bereiter C., and Scardamalia, M. (1996). Surpassing Ourselves. Chicago, IL: Open Court Publishing.

Bennett, B., Rolheiser, C., and Stevahn, L. (1991). Cooperative Learning: Where heart meets mind. Toronto: Educational Connections.

Fullan, M. (1991). The New Meaning of Educational Change. New York: Teachers College Press.

Additional readings

Readings and resource materials also will be distributed in class to support the various sessions that are associated with the course.