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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Language Revival: Securing the Future of Endangered Languages


I completed the following course and found it quite interesting and challenging as it was a new field for me in linguistics.


                                                                    Certificate
                                                                         Progress chart
Course Details No Prerequisites Required
Course Dates This is a self-paced course so you can learn when it suits you.
Time Commitment Between 2 to 3 hours per week.
Assessment To qualify for a certificate, all challenge questions and self-check reports must be completed. edX will only issue certificates to participants that have chosen the verified track and complete the course with a grade of 50% or higher.
When your certificate is available, you will be notified in your edX dashboard.
Grading Scheme Pass (50% or higher) Fail (under 50%)
Course Syllabus
Course Overview
Language is an integral part of society. Wherever we come from, the words we use and the way in which we use them are fundamental to our cultural identity. In today’s increasingly globalized world, however, ‘linguicide’ – the loss of a language – is becoming all too common. But there is hope. The language revival movement has emerged as an important and effective response, and this course will introduce you to its key principles and techniques. After discussing powerful answers to the question of why languages should be revived, we’ll investigate how. Far more than just a simple process of recovering literacy and lost letters, language revival involves a deep and complex engagement with history, human rights, identity and wellbeing. You will also learn what’s being done around the world right now, and how effective these techniques have languages should be revived, we’ll investigate how. Far more than just a simple process of recovering literacy and lost letters, language revival involves a deep and complex engagement with history, human rights, identity and wellbeing. You will also learn what’s being done around the world right now, and how effective these techniques have been.
What you'll learn
• Explore connections between language and identity.
• Understand the impact of language loss on people around the world.
• Examine what is being done to revive languages today.
1. Linguicide (Case for Revival)
Week 1 Learning Objectives
• Understand the ethics of language revival.
• Discuss the aesthetic considerations.
• Explore the political and economic imperatives for
   language revival.
Week 1 Assessment Requirements
You'll be assessed on the following items:
• Completion of the weekly challenge questions.
• Completion of the weekly self-check reports.
Important: it is also expected that you engage in all weekly discussions and activities.
2. Revivalistics (New Transdisciplinary Field of Enquiry)
Week 2 Learning Objectives
• Express how and why working closely with your community is the best practice for language
  revival.
• Discuss ways in which to coin new terms for new concepts and modern terminology.
• Detail how and why language revival is a transdisciplinary, including linguistic, endeavor.
Week 2 Assessment Requirements
You'll be assessed on the following items:
• Completion of the weekly challenge questions.
• Completion of the weekly self-check reports.
Important: it is also expected that you engage in all weekly discussions and activities.
3. Israeli (Case Study: Revived Hebrew)
Week 3 Learning Objectives
• Describe the history of Hebrew and Israeli.
• Start coining phono-semantic matches in order to expand the vocabulary of your revived  
  language.
• Analyse multiple causation and cross-fertilization between languages, which are an inevitable
  byproduct of language revival.
• Apply the Founder Principle and the Congruence Principle in various contexts.
Week 3 Assessment Requirements
You'll be assessed on the following items:
• Completion of the weekly challenge questions.
• Completion of the weekly self-check reports.
Important: it is also expected that you engage in all weekly discussions and activities.
4. Kaurna (Case Study)
Week 4 Learning Objectives
• Discuss what happened to Kaurna and why it should be reclaimed.
• Detail the sources and methods used to transform the language.
• Explain how Kaurna language in used in the public domain.
• Outline how to overcome the challenges for reawakening a language.
Week 4 Assessment Requirements
You'll be assessed on the following items:
• Completion of the weekly challenge questions.
• Completion of the weekly self-check reports.
Important: it is also expected that you engage in all weekly discussions and activities.
5. Saving Languages (Recapitulation, Comparative Analysis)
Week 5 Learning Objectives
• Discuss and apply the rigour of the Language Revival Diamond (LaRD).
• Differentiate and compare the key components of language revival as applied to the spectrum
   of reclamation, revitalization and reinvigoration.
• Detail the various methods employed to revive a language in a given state of loss.
• Discuss ways in which languages might be preserved, revived or reclaimed, for future
   generations.
• Contrast and compare the constraints and limitations of languages under revival.
Week 5 Assessment Requirements
You'll be assessed on the following items:
• Completion of the weekly challenge questions.
• Completion of the weekly self-check reports.
Important: it is also expected that you engage in all weekly discussions and activities.
DISCUSSION FORUM ETIQUETTE AND FREQUENCY
We expect you to follow the edX Code of Conduct at all times and keep your posts/responses positive on the learning forums. Post regularly, at least once per discussion activity and be sure to respond to your peers, as instructed.
FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
Please share your insights with all of us at the Language Revival Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/Revivalistics/

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Science of Learning-What Every Teacher Should Know


The Science of Learning-What Every Teacher Should Know

I completed a course of study offered by Teachers College X, an online learning initiative of Teachers College, Columbia University through edX. The course is about The Science of Learning-What Every Teacher Should Know. The duration of the course is 20 hours of professional learning. This course helped me demystify some of the grey areas I had relating to cognitive science which now powerfully informs us about how we can teach and learn more effectively.





This education course will show you, through current research, how we learn — the way our brain makes, stores, and retrieves memories.

You will examine common misconceptions and misunderstandings about learning that can prevent students from learning at their fullest capacity. Along the way you will explore the practical implications of cognitive science for classroom teaching in terms of choosing effective instructional strategies, developing useful assessments, motivating student effort, and designing learner-centered curricular units.
This course is aimed to enhance the practice of K-12 teachers
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
·         How the brain encodes memories, stores them, and retrieves them for later use.
·         Why working memory is so important for learning and ways to prevent it from getting overloaded.
·         Strategies for making memories that “stick” and can be readily recalled when needed.
·         Misconceptions that many students have about learning and ways to correct them.
·         How student mindsets and beliefs about learning can help or hinder their academic success.
·         How to help students become independent and self-regulated learners so they can lead their own learning.
·        Teaching strategies and assessment techniques that maximise student learning.
COURSE OUTLINE
Teacher
Nicole Brittingham Furlonge, English Teacher, Grades 9-12
Topics
Learning in Schools
Understanding How Memory Works
Working Memory
Connecting Prior Knowledge
Making Memories
Retrieving Memories
Section 2 Mindsets
Teacher

Ted Ogden, English Teacher, Grades 6-12
Topics
Taking the Student’s Perspective
Importance of Non-Cognitive Factors
Growth Mindsets and Learning
Developing Growth Mindsets
Sense of Belonging
Teacher

Kari Ostrem, MfA Master Math Teacher, Grades 9-12
Topics
Cognitive Load
Multitasking
Motivation
Learning to Learn
Section 4
Teacher
Lily Diamond, Teacher, 5th Grade
Topics
The Science of Learning and Effective Teaching Strategies
Feedback and Teaching
Retrieval Practice
Spacing and Interleaving
Metacognition

 VIDEOS
The four-section course is comprised of 4-7 video lectures that are 5 - 12 minutes long. The videos can be watched at various speeds and with or without closed captioning. Additionally, downloadable transcripts are available for each video lecture and run simultaneously to the left of the video.
The videos will feature guest teachers from various schools in the United States invited to deliver lectures co-written by Dr. Pearl Rock Kane and Dr. Kevin Mattingly, professors at Teachers College, Columbia University. Interviews with these teachers will provide personal anecdotes on what has worked for them and what they have found challenging.
ACTIVITIES AND TOOLS
·         Discussion Forum: Will help us discuss, debate, and build community. Please review the discussion guidelines before posting. Use [STAFF] in the subject of each post that needs attention from a course team member. Please see the edX Learner's Guide for detailed information on how to make the most of edX discussions.
·         Teams: Science of Learning Teams are groups of up to 20 students who meet regularly in-person or virtually to review and discuss the course and explore the concepts of the course together. Although students are encouraged to participate in discussions within the edX forums, joining a Team allows for deeper and more personal engagement with the course and with other students. See our EDSCI1x Team Leader Guide for more information.
·         Self-Checks: Formative assessments that follow video segments test your understanding of core concepts.
·         Teacher Journal: A place for you to keep reflections and responses for your insights and applications we hope you will be able to use later in your own classroom practice.  We will use the Notes function of edX as our journal. Sometimes we will provide "prompts" for you to respond to, yet you can use your Teaching Journal at any time to record your thoughts and ideas.
·         Weekly Progress Chart: Will help you keep track of your progress by showing your completed assessments and scores.
ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
Section Quizzes
40%
Four section quizzes assess your knowledge of the content
for each topic. The lowest scoring quiz will be dropped.
Self-Reflections
20%
Five self-reflections appear throughout the course to give you
an opportunity to think more deeply about concepts and evaluate

Final Exam
40%
One final exam will assess your understanding of major concepts covered.

You must earn 70% or more of the total grade to pass the course. We encourage you to earn a verified certificate for this course. To learn more about what verified certificates include, please see the edX Learner's Guide. This course offers On-Demand certificates. From edX: "As soon as you have achieved the required grade in the course, you see a message at the top of the course Progress page indicating that you have qualified for a certificate. At this point, you can keep working toward a higher grade in the course, or you can request your certificate immediately." For more information, please see the edX docs.
Self-Reflection Rubric

Description
2 Proficient
1 Developing
0 Lacing
Relevance to Your Teaching Practice: Discuss the relevance of the topic to your students and teaching practice
This response contains discussion of the relevance of the topic to your students and teaching practice in an in-depth and detailed way
This response contains discussion
of the relevance of the topic to your students and teaching practice, but lacks depth and detail in some areas
Response does not discuss or address the topic relevance to your teaching practice
Application: Does the response provide an example of classroom application?
This response contains a clear and specific example of what seems to be a feasible application
This response contains an example of a classroom application, but it is difficult to determine or not stated clearly
Response does not discuss or address a classroom application
READINGS AND RESOURCES ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING

This list is a selective overview of some useful resources for deepening your understanding of concepts introduced in the Science of Learning MOOC. It is not meant to be comprehensive but simply as an entry point for you into the research about how people learn. Many of the articles cited can be found online as PDFs for your professional use and application.
Learning—General
Books
Ambrose, S.A. and J.A. Bridges. (2010). How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. Jossey-Bass.

Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L. and McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning.  Belknap Press.

Carey, B. (2014). How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens. Random House.

Doyle, T. and T. Zakrajsck. (2011). Learner-Centered Teaching: Putting the Research of Learning Into Practice. Stylus Publishing.

Dumont, H., D. Istance, and F. Benavides, eds. (2010). The Nature of Learning: Using Research to Inspire Practice. OECD Publications.

Ericsson, A. and R. Pool. (2016). Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Hattie, J. and G.C.R, Yates. (2013). Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn. Routledge.

Lang, J.L. (2016). Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning. Jossey-Bass.

Ormrod, J. E. (2015). Human Learning. Pearson.

Willingham, D. T.  (2009). Why Don’t Students Like School? Jossey-Bass.
Articles
American Psychological Association (2015). Top 20 Principles from Psychology for PreK–12 Teaching and Learning. APA Publishing.

Benassi, V. A., Overson, C. E., & Hakala, C. M. (Eds.) (2014). Applying science of learning in education: Infusing psychological science into the curriculum. Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology web site:http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/asle2014/index.php

Deans for Impact (2015). The Science of Learning. Austin, TX: Deans for Impact. [Link]

Dumont et al (2012) The Nature of Learning: Using Research to Inspire Practice. Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, OECD Publications.

Website Blogs
The Learning Scientists: http://www.learningscientists.org

Daniel Willingham Science and Education

Learning Deeply



Conferences and Workshops

Understanding Memory and Learning        
Active Learning
Drake, E. and D. Battaglia. (2014). Teaching and learning in active learning classrooms. Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching, Central Michigan University. [Link]

Freeman, S. E et al (2014). Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1319030111

Willingham, D. T. (2008). What will improve a student’s memory? American Educator, Winter, 17-25, 44.
Attention
Diamond, A.(2013) Activities and programs that improve children’s executive functions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21(5): 335-341.

Diamond, A. (2013) Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64:135–68.
Cognitive Load
Artino, A.R., Jr. (2008). Cognitive load theory and the role of learner experience: An abbreviated review for educational practitioners. AACE Journal, 16(4), 425-439.
Misconceptions
Gardner, H. (2011). The Unschooled Mind: How Children Think and How Schools Should Teach, 2nd Edition. Basic Books.

Taylor, A.K. and P. Kowalski. (2014). Student misconceptions: Where do they come from and what can we do? In V. A. Benassi, C. E. Overson, & C. M. Hakala (Eds.). Applying science of learning in education: Infusing psychological science into the curriculum. Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology web site:http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/asle2014/index.php
Prior Knowledge
Ambrose, S. A., & Lovett, M. C. (2014). Prior knowledge is more important than content: Skills and beliefs also impact learning. In V. A. Benassi, C. E. Overson, & C. M. Hakala (Eds.). Applying science of learning in education: Infusing psychological science into the curriculum. Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology web site:http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/asle2014/index.php
Working Memory
Gathercole, S.E. and T.P Alloway. (2007). Understanding working memory: A classroom guide. Harcourt Assessment.
Motivation
Brophy, J. (2008). Developing students' appreciation for what is taught in school, Educational Psychologist, 43(3): 132 — 141.

Stipek, D. (2001). Motivated Minds: Raising Children to Love Learning. Holt.

Toshalis, E. and M. Nakkula. (2012). Motivation, engagement, and student voice. The Students at the Center Series. Boston, MA: Jobs for the Future. https://studentsatthecenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Exec-Toshalis-Nakkula-032312.pdf

Willingham, D. T. (2005/2006). How praise can motivate--or stifle. American Educator 29(4): 23-27.

Non-Cognitive Factors in Learning
Dweck, C.W., G.M. Walton, and G.L. Cohen. (2014). Academic tenacity: mindsets and skills that promote long-term learning. Gates Foundation. [Link]

Farrington C., et al. (2012). Teaching adolescents to become learners: The role of noncognitive factors in shaping school performance--A critical literature review. University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research. [Link]

Yeager, D., G.M. Walton, and G.L. Cohen. (2013). Addressing achievement gaps with psychological interventions. Phi Delta Kappan, 94(5): 62-65.

Student Learning Strategies
Dunlosky, J. (2013). Strengthening the Student Toolbox: Study Strategies to Boost Learning, American Educator, 37(3): 12-21.

Pashler, H. et al (2007). Organizing instruction and study to improve student learning. National Center for Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences

Zimmerman, B. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory into Practice, 41(2) , Spring 2002

Zumbrunn, S. J. Tadlock, & D. Roberts. (2011). Encouraging self-regulated learning in the classroom. Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Teaching Strategies
Bjork, R.A., & C.M. Clark. (2104). When and why introducing difficulties and errors can enhance instruction. In V. A. Benassi, C. E. Overson, & C. M. Hakala (Eds.). Applying science of learning in education: Infusing psychological science into the curriculum. Retrieved from the Society for the Teaching of Psychology web site:http://teachpsych.org/ebooks/asle2014/index.php

Chappuis, J. (2014) Seven Strategies of Assessment for Learning. 2nd Edition. Pearson.

Palincsar, A. S. (1986).  The role of dialogue in providing scaffolded instruction.  Educational Psychologist, 21 (1 & 2), 73-98.

Pashler, H. et al (2007). Organizing instruction and study to improve student learning. National Center for Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences
Rosenshine, B. (2012). Principles of instruction: Research-based strategies that all teachers should know. Rosenshine, American Educator, 36(1): 12-19.

Wiggins, G. (2012). Seven keys to effective feedback. Educational Leadership, 70(1): 10-16.

Willingham, D.T. (2014). Strategies that make learning last. Educational Leadership, 72(2): 10-15.

Wiliam, D. (2013). Assessment: The bridge between teaching and learning. Voices from the Middle, 21(2): 15-20. National Council of Teachers of English.

Wiliam, D., & S. Leahy. (2015). Embedding Formative Assessment: Practical Techniques for K-12 Classrooms. Learning Sciences International.