Adventure in the Everyday Classroom: Developing Critical Thinkers and Lifelong Learners - EDU 737I

This course is designed to help teachers understand and implement the Adventure Model of teaching into their traditional classrooms.  This course culminates with participants creating an entire Adventure Model unit for their personal use.  This course will allow educators to see the thinking that goes on behind the scenes in an Adventure Model classroom.  Through a modeling process, participants learn how to put together exciting and effective units.

A common misperception is that "adventures" are always physical and take place in strange locales; this course will show how adventures can be anywhere including the classroom.  Teachers and future teachers will gain a true understanding fo the Adventure Model and how it can apply to each and every classroom; therefore, making the learning environment authentic for their students.  Examples will be given to help teachers create their own plans and models to fit their specific classrooms and their comfort level with the idea of curricular adventure.  Whether the teacher instructs math or social studies, this course will enhance the critical thinking of students.

The Adventure Model promotes learning experiences in which settings initiate certain responses among students:  careful observation, cooperation, clear thinking and planning, persistence, and resourcefulness and adaptability.  Such responses are not demanded by the environment per se, but rather the manner, in which the model forces students to interact with the environment, whether physical or academic, to determine learning outcomes.  This type of learning is authentic and promotes lifelong learning among students.

You will learn to . . .

• Reflect on the Adventure Model through various book and online sources
• Create guiding questions that foster inquiry and discussion for teaching units
• Understand and apply the Socratic seminar method to Adventure classroom instruction
• Understand and apply Habits of Mind that enhance the Adventure Model classroom
• Integrate Adventure Learning Model Methods into everyday classrooms
• Create an entire unit plan that incorporates all aspects of the Adventure Model, from immersion stage to culminating project
  

COURSE MATERIALS: The two required texts for this course are: Socratic Circles:  Fostering Critical and Creative Thinking in Middle and High School by Matt Copeland and Habits of Mind Across the Curriculum:  Practical and Creative Strategies for Teachers by Arthur L. Costa. These book are available for purchase at www.Amazon.com

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:  Internet access is required.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:  This course is designed for all K-12 teachers.  Coursework is adaptable for elementary grades.

HOW DO I RECEIVE MY COURSE INSTRUCTIONS?

After registering for this course, allow 48 business hours and then your course instructions will be available through this website. Log in to our website by using your e-mail address and password. Go to MY ACCOUNT and the course instructions will be there for you to download and print. Please allow 48 business hours for this access.

For further course information, contact USD Professional and Continuing Education at pce-edu-info@sandiego.edu.