NEW FREE MOOCs from Stanford Online Learning

Hola Gente! I've been away, learning my new curriculum for a few weeks, but I'm back with a whole new series of blog posts for you over the next few weeks! Most urgently, I wanted to share with you some new MOOCs that are free to anyone from Stanford Online Learning. All of the MOOCs I have taken from them have been high-quality and extremely relevant. Please take a minute to look at what's available. If you plan on signing up for one, let me know in the comments! Late to the game? Don't fear, you can always sign up after the start date (though within the first two weeks is preferable). EDUCATION

CONSTRUCTIVE CLASSROOM CONVERSATIONS: MASTERING LANGUAGE FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS (ELEMENTARY) Starts October 1 This fourteen-week course looks closely at student-to-student conversations and addresses ways to improve students' abilities to engage in the types of interactions described in the new standards. It consists of four sessions with three weeks between each session. Learning in this course relies heavily on participant contributions and comments, especially in the team collaboration setting. Learn More >

CONSTRUCTIVE CLASSROOM CONVERSATIONS: MASTERING LANGUAGE FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS (SECONDARY) Starts October 1 This fourteen-week course is focused on the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, which emphasize improving the quality of student-to-student discourse as a major feature of instruction. The sessions and assignments are designed for participants who teach or have access to classrooms in which they can gather samples of students’ conversation during lessons, and learn ways to improve students' abilities to engage in the types of interactions described in the new standards. The course includes resources and tasks for instructional coaches and others who support teachers and build school-wide capacity. Learn More >

SUPPORTING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS UNDER THE NEW STANDARDS Starts October 1 In this seven-week course, participants will use a range of practical tools for gathering and analyzing language samples that show how students currently construct claims supported by evidence and/or reasoning. Learn More >