Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning: Web 2.0 Tools MOOC

This spring the University of Houston’s College of Education will offer another free MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that is aimed specifically at K-16 teachers. This course is the second in a series of online professional development opportunities called "Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning.” UH’s Laboratory for Innovative Technology in Education (LITE), under the direction of Drs. Sara McNeil and Bernard Robin, and I have developed and will be teaching this five week course. Teachers in the state of Texas may be eligible to receive up to 15 hours of Continuing Education Units for each MOOC if they earn a certificate of completion from Coursera.

The first MOOC focused on the Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling and was offered in September 2014. It will be offered again in summer 2015. The second MOOC on Web 2.0 Tools will begin on February 1, 2015.

Each MOOC is five weeks long and will be delivered through the Coursera platform (http://coursera.org). The MOOCs are free, and the only requirements for participating are a PC or Mac desktop or laptop, an Internet connection and a willingness to learn and share new ways of using computer-based tools and techniques to support teaching and learning across different grade levels and multiple content areas.

The "Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning: Web 2.0 Tools" course is designed to provide teachers at all levels with strategies to effectively integrate Web 2.0 technologies into their instruction. Participants will learn to harness the power of free, easy to use, online tools to boost student engagement and motivation in their classrooms. Our approach focuses on the task rather than the tool in an effort to improve communication, collaboration, presentation, creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking in all learners. Participants will take part in a robust exchange of practical ideas while participating in online discussion forums and sharing their experiences with fellow teachers. Participants will learn how to use these tools effectively in their classrooms through unique problem-based scenarios that will help them understand how to choose an appropriate Web 2.0 tool for the task.

The MOOC will begin on February 1, 2015 and end on March 8, 2015. To enroll, please go to: https://www.coursera.org/course/newtechtools

For more information, please contact Dr. Sara McNeil (smcneil@uh.edu) or Dr. Bernard Robin (brobin@uh.edu).

Feel free to share with colleagues and friends around the world. We would love to have more educators sign up and participate in this course.

Sincerely,

Susie Gronseth

Susie Gronseth, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Learning, Design & Technology

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

University of Houston - College of Education

slgronseth@uh.edu

Office phone: 713-743-5036

Office location: 315B Farish Hall

Mailing address: 256 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204-5027