Instructional Moves: Making Classroom Discussions More Inclusive and Effective

Learn high-leverage Instructional Moves to make your classroom discussions more inclusive, student-centered, and purposeful.

Overview

Engagement. Equity. Purpose. Good classroom discussions at any level of education consider all of these elements -- and more. Effective facilitators guide discussions, position students’ thinking at the center of the conversation, and find creative ways to incorporate more student voices into the mix.

A growing body of research demonstrates the importance of student-centered discussions in classrooms. Nevertheless, facilitating such discussions is easier said than done. Ensuring classroom exchanges that consistently achieve inclusivity and engage students poses many challenges, particularly for early-stage professors, graduate students, and K-12 practitioners.

Instructional Moves: Making Classroom Discussions More Inclusive and Effective, a two-week online workshop from Professional Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, builds on the resources delivered by Instructional Moves, an HGSE project that promotes high-leverage teaching strategies. Featuring video examples of instruction by Harvard faculty, the course offers instructors a roadmap for strengthening classroom discussions, new insights that can help them match teaching strategies – or “moves” – to specific discussion scenarios, and opportunities to learn from Instructional Moves experts and fellow course participants.

Program Details

This two-week online workshop includes self-paced learning, online discussion, and exposure to a variety of faculty and classroom settings. Activities include:

• Videos that combine classroom footage, instructor insights, and student reflections
• Readings
• Research summaries
• Written reflections
• Facilitated online discussions
• Opportunities for real-time practice and reflection

A core part of the HGSE experience is cohort learning, and this curriculum is designed to create a community of practice for participants to learn with and from each other.

This online workshop is an asynchronous learning experience with no live components and is designed to be self-paced. All materials are provided at the start of the program and can be completed at times that best fit a participant’s schedule within the two-week program period. Participants should plan to devote a total of 10 hours of work over the two weeks. Participants who complete all individual assessments and contribute to group discussions prior to the end of the course period will receive a certificate indicating completion of ten clock hours of instruction.

Objectives

• Integrate into practice Instructional Moves – high-leverage teaching strategies – that foster productive and inclusive student-centered classroom discussions
• Develop a deeper understanding of available research on the topic of student-centered discussions and how this research can inform and refine teaching practices
• Learn to challenge existing assumptions around classroom discussion leadership, especially when it comes to the role of the teacher
• Reflect on ways to identify Instructional Moves that encourage students from all backgrounds to find their voices and more fully shape the direction of group discussions
• Learn to afford students greater ownership discussions

Who Should Participate

• Instructors from higher education levels interested in leading more inclusive and effective discussions
• Graduate students ready to enter the job market
• K-12 instructors interested in translating higher education practices into their contexts

English Language Proficiency Requirements

English language proficiency is a requirement for application to and successful participation in this online course. All participants are expected to have fluency in English, including a basic knowledge of education terminology, in order to effectively engage with the content, complete assignments, and interact with other members of the learning community.

Fees & Policies

Individual Rates: $149 per person
Group Rates: 10+ people: 25% off final invoice

Tuition includes all instructional materials required for participation in the program.

Full tuition is due by the indicated payment deadline, please refer to the individual program’s community and application page for payment deadlines. While a purchase order confirms enrollment, full payment is still required by the final payment deadline. Please note that failure to pay by the payment deadline will result in your withdrawal from the program.

Please click here for more information on payment, refund, and withdrawal policies.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to change faculty or cancel programs at its discretion. The school is not responsible for any planning expenses incurred.