The Classroom

Most of us have spent a great deal of time in classrooms. We have ideas and opinions about what makes a good classroom for learning. In this course, we examine the research base and theory on classroom learning and ways to structure classrooms to be in keeping with this knowledge base. Topics include cognitive, motivational, and social issues in learning. Students read theory and research as well as do numerous classroom observations (K-16). Each observation helps give a practical face to our reading and brings up new questions for our consideration. Each student will be required to write a number of short papers, give in-class presentations, and to complete a final paper or project on one of the course topics.