The Ayers Institute Massively Open Online Courses(MOOCs) are designed to be incorporated easily into teacher preparation programs in universities across the state of Tennessee or for teachers to complete the non-facilitated versions on their own.  Three of the ten courses have strong ties to the Tennessee Academic Standards while the remaining seven courses have elements of the standards integrated throughout.

Introduction to the Tennessee Academic Standards

This course provides pre-service and in-service teachers with the Information and resources needed to successfully implement the Tennessee Academic Standards into curriculum.  You will gain a working knowledge of the Tennessee Academic Standards, understand the vision of the standards, and identify the instructional shifts involved with their implementation.

Planning and Assessing for Learning

Information and resources needed to successfully develop learning plans aligned to the Tennessee Academic Standards.  The course is designed for use by pre-service and in-service teachers.  You will learn about several lesson planning models and best practices for lesson planning.

Prerequisite: Knowledge of the Tennessee Academic Standards. http://www.state.tn.us/education/standards/index.shtml  Consider taking Teacher Preparation Course 1: "Introduction to the Tennessee Academic Standards."

Pedagogical Shifts to Instructional Strategies

This course provides pre-service and in-service teachers with the information and resources needed to successfully implement the Tennessee Academic Standards into curriculum. Pedagogy and instruction blend the art and science of teaching with the process and skill of teaching.  In this course, you will gain a better perspective of your own pedagogy and discover how to create the most successful learning environment for your students.

Engaging Students

Engaging Students includes topics such as factors influencing engaged learning, student motivation and ownership of learning, and creating a culture of engagement. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be engaged in learning, how to increase student involvement in a relevant way, and how to create a learning environment that maximizes student engagement. The course is designed for use by pre-service and in-service teachers.

Personalized Learning through Differentiated Instruction

This course provides pre-service and in-service teachers with the information and resources needed to successfully differentiate learning for every student. Each participant will gain a comprehensive understanding of what it means to differentiate instruction, how to use data to improve and personalize learning, and how to collaborate with colleagues to create a successful learning plan for all students.

Professional Learning Communities

This course provides pre-service and in-service teachers with the information and resources needed to successfully participate in an instructional PLC. Each participant will gain a comprehensive understanding of what an instructional PLC is, how to maximize PLC time, and how to review data and make informed decisions.

 

The Learning Environment

This course provides pre-service and in-service teachers with the information and resources needed to create an optimum learning environment. Each participant will gain a comprehensive understanding of teacher expectations, classroom management, the physical environment and establishing a learning culture.

The Role of Technology in Education

The Role of Technology in Education course provides pre-service and current-service teachers with the information and resources needed to successfully impact student outcomes through the use of technology. This course includes topics such as technology and teacher evaluation, the connections between pedagogy and technology, differentiating with technology, formative assessment, and how to be a connected educator.