I personally enjoy curriculum design, and the DEL program, especially the Digital Learning EDTC 6102 class has prepared me and inspired me to update my old lessons with ISTE standards, following the Understanding by Design Framework.
Project Description
The objective of this project is to create a World Language course that will transform the learning experience of my students and improve their overall learning outcomes. I plan to do this by re-designing a traditionally in-person course into an in-person blended course that leverages on technology to differentiate and personalize instruction and enhance the learning experience beyond the classroom.
What follows is a course map, following the Understanding by Design framework. One of the objectives is to teach ISTE standards for students by interweaving them into each unit, lesson, and project.
- This course map is designed for a High school Spanish 2 in-person class.
- Although students will be primarily attending class in person, there is a blended learning component that allows students to communicate, learn, and access the materials online, any time.
- This course will be primarily using CANVAS and Google tools.
- The course lasts one academic school year, from August through June.
- This class follows a block schedule where students meet every other day (3 or 2 days a week) for 85 minutes.
- This course is organized into eight instructional units, based on selected chapters from the textbook Qué Chévere 2.
- Each unit focuses on a theme, and includes a cultural end of unit project that will allow students to demonstrate understanding of cultural products, practices and perspectives, acquired understanding and proficiency of ISTE standards for students, and proficiency of the TL.
Project Concerns
- Because language learning is cumulative, upon the start of this course, students need to be proficient using the vocabulary, structures, and language skills from Spanish 1 in order to be successful in this course. Since there is no control over the skills that students taking this course have, this plan needs to be flexible and offer alternative options through differentiation in order to meet the unique needs of the students. Therefore, this course outline is a dynamic living document.
- One other concern is that students bring their own devices to school so there is no standard on the kind of device and/or tools they use. Considering this, the classroom will have computers and headphones available to support students who do not have a device, lack the necessary digital tools, or encounter difficulties using their own devices.
The following units remain to be redesigned using the Understanding by Design framework.
- Unit 2: What activities & routines do people do to feel well?
- Unit 3: How do people interact with cities?
- Unit 4: What activities & special events bring people together?
- Unit 5: How do food & traditions reflect the cultural heritage of a region?
- Unit 6: What makes a place a home?
- Unit 7: What makes a tourist attraction?
- Unit 8: Why and how do people travel?
Because the lessons will be using CANVAS, other online resources and digital tools. At the beginning of the school year, prior to the start of Unit 1, students will have a Student Orientation Workshop on Digital Citizenship. During this workshop, students will be explicitly taught best practices for use of technology and digital citizenship skills, including netiquette, online safety, the school’s tech use policy, amongst other relevant information. These skills will continue to be reviewed, practiced and integrated into the units throughout the school year.
References
Clementi, D., & Terrill, L. (2013). The Keys to Planning for Learning. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Common sense education. (n.d.). My Digital Life is Like… Accessed on May 29th 2022 My Digital Life Is Like … | Common Sense Education
Foltos, L. (2013). Peer Coaching Unlocking the Power of Collaboration. CORWIN
Indic Education. (March 1, 2022) Approaches to Planning Forward, Central and Backward design. Accessed on May 29th 2022. https://www.indiceducation.com/blog/2022/03/01/approaches-to-planning-forward-central-and-backward-design/
ISTE Standards: Students (n.d.). Accessed on May 29th 2022. https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-students
Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005) Understanding by Design (2nd ed.). ASCD
