Professional Development and Training
1. Designing for Online and Hybrid Learning
This workshop lays out the fundamentals of designing quality and engaging learning experiences in online and hybrid teaching models. It offers participants a framework to explore the potential and limitations of online learning, to design level-appropriate synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid lesson-plans and assessments, and to nurture and promote an online learning community. Participants will be introduced to learner-centered teaching strategies and approaches that could be implemented in their classrooms. These sessions will culminate with a project that demonstrates participants’ learning.
2. Technology Integration: What’s in my toolkit?
Generation Z is the most technologically apt generation our world has ever seen. However, despite this reality and the ever-changing global educational landscape, some classrooms and teachers do not share the same level of comfort and familiarity with technology. This workshop introduces a range of classroom technologies to encourage their use in enhancing student engagement and subsequent achievement. Participants will learn how to facilitate student learning and inspire creativity. Furthermore, they will design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments, and promote model digital citizenship and responsibility. This workshop will culminate with a project that demonstrates participants’ learning.
3. Equity and Inclusion: Benefitting from Difference in the Classroom
With the increased complexities of online and hybrid models as well as the imperative response to pervasive racist structures and systems, teaching for change is, today and going forward, an enduring priority. This workshop introduces participants to a range of sustainable, culturally-responsive, and equitable strategies for intentional student support. Participants will learn specific design considerations to curate content, create conditions that support students in accessing and engaging in learning, offer feedback, and leverage students’ stories and voices to foster a sense of belonging in the “classroom.” This workshop will make room for participants to reflect on prior learning experiences, set personal goals, and empower them to act on their takeaways.
Teaching Practicum with Mentoring
The Teaching Practicum with Mentoring allows aspiring teachers to put what they have learned in the Professional Development and Training workshops into practice. Aspiring teachers will be matched each by the TTI Program Director with two experienced teachers who will serve as their mentors. Aspiring teachers will work closely with their assigned mentors to co-teach two online courses based on their areas of study and interest. They will benefit from their mentors’ experience and advice aimed at empowering them with the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes, in an integrated way, necessary for the development of their profession. The aspiring teachers/mentees will design lesson-plans and synchronous and asynchronous activities and assessments. Furthermore, they will teach and offer feedback to their students. They will also plan and manage the goals and directions of their professional path.