Dr. Alice Christie's STEM Foundational Course Readings

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Dr. Christie Classes: FOUNDATIONAL STEM COURSE Course Readings
Each student will choose a textbook from a group selected by Dr. Christie and Dr. Padgett. In addition, there will be a variety of short articles that students will read and respond to during the online weeks of the class. These are organized by categories. Each online week, read two articles of your choice from the category for that week. Week 1: Pedagogy Week 2: Engaging the Digital Learner Week 3: Science and Math Week 4: Innovative Teaching Strategies
Online Week 1 (Week of October 26): Pedagogy Learning from the Bottom Up How new technologies democratize learning and making learning more participatory Lead, Don't Lecture: A New Approach to Teaching Smart educators say it's better to coach than to cajole by Ninive C. Calegari and Daniel Moulthrop Technology: A Catalyst for Teaching and Learning in the Classroom Literacy in mathematics and science affects the ability to understand weather and stock reports, develop a personal financial plan, or understand a doctor's advice. Taking advantage of mathematical and scientific information does not generally require an expert's grasp of those disciplines. But it does require a distinctive approach to analyzing information. We all have to be able to make accurate observations, develop conjectures, and test hypotheses: In short, we have to be familiar with a scientific approach. What's Not on the Test: How to Turn Assessment into Learning A Q&A with High Tech High teaching guru Rob Riordan by Grace Rubenstein How to Teach with Technology: Science and Math Students fire off ideas for using digital tools to teach scientific and mathematical concepts by Sara Bernard Stage Craft: Taking Cues from Theater Class to Help Make Math and Science Fun Why can't a classroom have the passion of drama or sports? by Carl Engvall Online Week 2 (Week of November 9):Engaging the Digital Learner Connecting to the 21st-Century Student Educators must work to understand and motivate a new kind of digital learner by Josh McHugh EduCause Learning Initiative – Authentic Learning for the 21st Century: An Overview Ten Steps to Better Student Engagement Project-learning teaching strategies can also improve your everyday classroom experience by Tristan de Frondeville How to Keep Kids Engaged in Class When students let their minds drift off, they're losing valuable learning time. Here are ten smart ways to increase classroom participation by Tristan de Frondeville The Sky's the Limit: Kids' Top Tools for the Classroom We asked students, “What tech do you want to see in class?” Here’s what they came up with. by Edutopia Staff Jobs of Tomorrow: Classifieds Our Students Should Get Prepared to Read A glimpse at the opportunities and expectations for future workers by Amy Zuckerman World Without Walls: Learning Well with Others How to teach when learning is everywhere by Will Richardson The 21st-Century Digital Learner How tech-obsessed iKids would improve our schools by Marc Prensky Online Week 3 (Week of November 23): Science and Math Struggling Helps Students Master Math Math test scores soar if students are given the chance to struggle by Bernice Yeung Cooperative Learning Fits into the Calculation Master teacher Chris Opitz shares resources for integrating social and emotional learning into math class. View the video, too! Research Uncovers Children's Creative Mathematical Thinking Understanding of the abstract written language of mathematics continues to cause confusion for many children Geometry Students Angle into Architecture Through Project Learning Through project learning, math becomes relevant as well as rigorous by Sara Armstrong Integrating Integers Across Disciplines At this school, math is embedded throughout the curriculum and throughout the school day by Ken Ellis A Real Learning Curve: Catapults Demonstrate the Quadratic Equation Algebra students use their math skills to control the arc of launched objects by Lisa Morehouse Winning Equation: How Technology Can Help Save Math Education A national panel recommends technology to fix a broken system. Here's how some teachers are using math tech by Lauren Smith Cooperative Learning Fits into the Calculation Master teacher Chris Opitz shares resources for integrating social and emotional learning into math class by Chris Opitz Drawing Art into the Equation: Aesthetic Computing Gives Math a Clarifying Visual Dimension An evolving teaching method applies the theory and practice of art to computing and problem solving by Jenn Shreve Teens Tackle Real-World Math in Oklahoma How to bring high tech to your school at a low cost by Suzie Boss Little Shop of Physics: A Mobile Hands-On Science Program Captivates An arcane science turns into a traveling circus that’s fizzy, frantic, and fun by Sara Bernard Appropriate Assessments for Reinvigorating Science Education Curriculum and the methods of instruction need to change to get -- and keep -- students interested in the sciences by Bruce Alberts The Law of Theories: Understanding the Science Behind Them The facts are dead, long live the facts by Christopher Thomas Scott Latinas en Ciencia: Making Science and Technology Real for Girls An Oregon project tackles under-representation of Latina girls in scientific and technical fields by Roberta Furger Gary Swick: Real-World Science Leads to Action An award-winning science teacher inspires students to be the environmental "best in the galaxy" by Richard Rapaport What Teachers and Parents Can Do to Make Science a Joy to Learn How can teachers make science more meaningful in our schools? What role can parents play? Online Week 4 (Week of December 14): Innovative Teaching Strategies Simulation Nation: The Promise of Virtual Learning Activities Inventive computer sims can turn dull lessons into hyper-real experiences -- if we can get educators to use them by Marc Prensky The Internet Breaks School Walls Down What happens to time-worn concepts of classrooms and teaching when we can now go online and learn anything, anywhere, anytime? by Will Richardson Real-World Issues Motivate Students In this classroom, children use concrete, authentic examples to illustrate core knowledge by Diane Curtis From Brain-Based Research to Powerful Learning: Innovative Teaching Techniques in the Classroom Educators explore nontraditional methods of teaching and receive positive results by Diane Curtis PBL Research Summary: Studies Validate Project-Based Learning Research shows the efficacy of an authentic form of education that expects students to immerse themselves in a topic and meaningfully demonstrate acquisition of skills and knowledge by Edutopia Staff Students Thrive on Cooperation and Problem Solving Project-based learning teaches kids the collaborative and critical-thinking abilities they'll need to compete by Bob Pearlman Programming Is the New Literacy Power will soon belong to those who can master a variety of expressive human-machine interactions by Marc Prensky