Coursera for Teachers

For those of you are seeking opportunities for professional growth and development and do not have the time or the money to attend graduate courses, you may wish to investigate Coursera. Coursera is an international initiative to provide low cost (or in some instances no cost) college level courses taught online by renown professors for around the world. I had an opportunity to take a look at the outline for an eight module course entitled “Foundations of Teaching for Learning.” The program is very suitable for those teachers who entered the profession through alternative programs and did not have an undergraduate degree in education.

 According to the course syllabus, the program will provide:

• an explanation of how the Foundations of Teaching for Learning program will benefit you in your role as a teacher;
• an explanation of the three domains that constitute the basis of the program;
• an overview of each of the seven courses in the program;
• details of the components of the courses;
• information on evaluation techniques to provide feedback on your learning; and
• Guidance on the development of your portfolio. 

The eight modules are divided as follows

Part 1-Introduction

Part II- Being a Teacher

Part-III- Learners and Learning

Part IV- What is Curriculum?

Part V- Planning for Teaching and learning

Part VI- Introduction to Student Assessment

Part VII- Being a Professional

Part VIII- Developing relationships

The program concludes with a capstone project, which in this course is an essay. The cost for the entire program is $281 and enrollees may pay as you go. Those who successful complete entire program will receive a “Specialization Certificate.” Be prepared to spend about 4-6 hours per week on the course requirements.

If you peruse the Coursera catalog, you will find hundreds of courses in a vast variety of topics. (Coursera.org). Enjoy