Instructional Practices Maven Pathway
This credential recognizes a teacher's expert understanding and application of evidence-based instructional strategies, differentiation techniques, and varied teaching styles to meet diverse student needs and maximize student learning. (12 Contact Hours)
Task 1: Training Video Reflective Response #1
Training Video: Why Use Peer Instruction?
Peer Instruction is not just another teaching technique; it's a dynamic approach that empowers students to actively participate in their own learning while fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Task 2: Informational Article Reflective Response #2
Informational Article: Principles of Instruction
This article presents 10 research-based principles of instruction, along with suggestions for classroom practice. These principles come from three sources: (a) research in cognitive science, (b) research on master teachers, and (c) research on cognitive supports.
Principles of Instruction Article
✏️Task 2: Reflective Response (Form refers to video content. Please respond in relation to the Task 2 article's content.)
Task 3: Reflective Response #3
Teacher Choice
Consider what you have learned in the two previous tasks. Please seek out at least one additional webinar, video training, blog post, or website related to educational technology.
Task 4: Reflective Response #4
Engaging with Contemporary Educational Research
In an effort to bridge the gap between research and practice, please read and reflect upon these two contemporary research-based articles. Your reflection on these readings will help to deepen your collective understanding and inform your pedagogical strategies.
Why does peer instruction benefit student learning?
Task 5: Peer Observation Form
Peer Observation
With the intent to create a collaborative and supportive culture at Patriot Preparatory Academy, each teacher is asked to complete three peer observations during the school year. For this task, please focus one of your peer observations on the topic of your selected micro-credential. For example, does the teacher utilize the information you have learned so far in your micro-credential study? Could the information you have learned be beneficial to the classroom you observed?
✏️Task 5: Peer Observation Form
Task 6: Culminating Activity
Lesson Plan Development: Applying Micro-credential Learning
Having pursued a micro-credential, you have engaged in focused, specialized learning. To bridge the space between this knowledge acquisition and its practical classroom application, please demonstrate your understanding in the form of a comprehensive lesson plan. By creating a lesson plan that directly applies what you've learned, you are not only showcasing your mastery but also preparing yourself to provide enriched experiences to your students.
Guidelines:
Lesson Objective: Clearly state the main objective of the lesson. What will students know or be able to do by the end of the lesson?
Alignment with Micro-credential Content: Detail how the lesson reflects specific concepts, skills, or strategies you acquired during your micro-credentialing journey. This should be a clear demonstration of your mastery of the content.
Instructional Procedures: Outline step-by-step procedures for the lesson. Include introductions, main activities, groupings, methods, and any differentiation strategies you plan to employ.
Materials and Resources: List any materials, technologies, or external resources that will be required for the lesson. Highlight any that directly relate to or were recommended during the micro-credential program.
Assessment and Evaluation: Describe how you will assess student understanding and the success of the lesson. Incorporate any innovative assessment techniques or tools you encountered in your micro-credentialing program.