5 credits

Designing curricula with rigor, relevance, and results requires broad understanding of the key concepts behind each of these attributes and a clear focus on how best to maximize the learning and potential of PreK–12 learners. In this course, education professionals examine what it means to design a learner-centered curriculum that enhances student engagement and involvement, provides a transformative experience for students, and creates conditions that facilitate deep learning. Education professionals examine the alignment of content standards and design models as well as the role of collaboration and community building, power sharing to foster learner autonomy, problem solving, material that is socially relevant, and ongoing assessment to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. Authentic case-study scenarios provide opportunities for educators to see curriculum design in practice, use existing data to redesign and adapt curriculum, and create learning spaces that accommodate multiple learning needs.