4.5
stars
27 ratings

Pam Grossman +1 more instructor

3,731 already enrolled

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Orchestrating Whole Classroom Discussion

University of Pennsylvania

About this Course

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This course offers strategies that can lead to richer, more productive, whole-class discussions in their classrooms. Focusing on how to prepare for discussion, this course is for anyone who leads, wants to lead, or is interested in how teachers lead discussion.
Across the 4 sessions in this course, we’ll learn more about what teachers and students need to do to prepare for rich discussions, including understanding:

1. What is (and isn't) discussion, and why discussion is important
2. How teachers set goals for discussion, and establish explicit norms that support these objectives
3. How teachers select texts and prepare text-based questions to guide the conversation
4. How teachers – based on these goals, norms, texts, and questions – then prepare students for the whole-class discussion

The course consists of short videos interspersed with various thinking tasks—such as reflecting on videos of classroom discussions in action, and designing and receiving peer feedback on aspects of a Discussion Plan,  a plan for a discussion you’ll lead in your own classroom.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Beginner Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

Approx. 12 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.5/5 (6 Ratings)

Pam Grossman

Dean and George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education

Graduate School of Education

3,731 Learners

1 Course

Lisa M. Barker

Assistant Professor

Towson University

3,731 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

What is discussion? Why discuss?

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 22 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Setting Goals and Establishing Norms for Discussion

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 28 min), 4 readings, 4 quizzes

8 videos

Session 2 Goals4mA class discussion about the House on Mango Street5mDetermining your discussion goals4mSetting Norms for Discussion4mClassroom Norm-Setting37sDebriefing Lily's Norms1mGoal-Specific Norm Setting5mDebriefing the Goal-Specific Norm Setting Video1m

4 readings

What to consider when watching The House on Mango Street discussion10mBeginning your Discussion Plan Template10mInstructions for the Classroom Norm-Setting Video10mInstructions for the Goal-Setting Norms Video10m

3 practice exercises

The House on Mango Street class discussion30mPost Classroom Norm-Setting Video30mGoal-Specific Norm Setting Video Review30m

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Preparing a Text for Discussion

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 12 min)

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Preparing Students for Discussion

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 24 min), 3 readings, 3 quizzes

8 videos

An Introduction to Preparing Students5mDiscussion Preparation Example5mDe-briefing the Classroom Example2mSmall Group Discussion as Preparation Example3mDe-briefing Yvonne's Discussion Preparations1mExample of Partner Talk as Preparation3mDebriefing the Partner Talk as Discussion Preparation Example1mClosing Video1m

3 readings

Preparing for the Classroom Video10mPreparing for the Example of Partner Talk as Preparation10mThank you! (Survey Link)10m

2 practice exercises

Post-Example Questions30mPost-Example Questions30m

Reviews

4.5

8 reviews

5 stars
66.66%
4 stars
25.92%
3 stars
3.70%
1 star
3.70%

TOP REVIEWS FROM ORCHESTRATING WHOLE CLASSROOM DISCUSSION

by MFJun 4, 2020

It was really great course i could learn many things i haven't known, bud i had struggles with because i'm not teacher

by MHOct 28, 2017

inspiring, well-structured course with excellent resources

by GCDec 7, 2020

I thought the pacing of this course was terrific. The opportunity to improve upon my instruction centered around discussion and also take it back to my team, was invaluable.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Orchestrating Whole Classroom Discussion

Orchestrating Whole Classroom Discussion

About this Course