Resilient Teaching Through Times of Crisis and Change

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/resilient-teaching-through-times-of-crisis

Introduction

### Course Review: Resilient Teaching Through Times of Crisis and Change In a world where educational landscapes continually evolve due to unforeseen disruptions, the ability to adapt and maintain effective teaching practices is more crucial than ever. The Coursera course titled **"Resilient Teaching Through Times of Crisis and Change"** addresses this need by equipping educators with the strategies to create adaptable learning experiences that thrive despite fluctuating conditions. If you’re an educator seeking to enhance your teaching resilience, this course might be exactly what you need. #### Overview of the Course Resilient teaching isn’t just a buzzword; it's an essential competency in today’s academic environment. This course recognizes that effective teaching must respond to dynamic conditions, whether they arise from emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic or everyday challenges. By focusing on the interplay between learning goals, activities, and the environments they inhabit, the course offers valuable insights into crafting lessons that are not only effective but also resilient. #### Syllabus Breakdown **1. Towards a Resilient Pedagogy** The course kicks off with a reflective look at the emergency remote teaching phase spurred by the COVID-19 crisis. Participants analyze the challenges faced during this period and explore why a resilient approach to course design is now essential. By examining various instructional scenarios, this module lays the groundwork for understanding how resilient teaching is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a nuanced practice adaptable to unique contexts. **2. Principles of Resilient Design for Learning** In this module, learners delve into a systems design approach to identify core components that impact course design. The course introduces foundational concepts like the interactions triangle and universal design for learning, leading to the articulation of three vital principles of resilient design: **extensibility**, **flexibility**, and **redundancy**. These principles are indispensable for structuring courses that can withstand disruption while maintaining educational integrity. **3. A Worked Example** Professor Chris Quintana shares his insights through a worked example, demonstrating how the principles of resilient design can be applied to real-world teaching scenarios. This engaging segment of the course not only showcases practical applications but also encourages participants to reflect on their own teaching methods. The opportunity to create a peer-graded resilient teaching plan ensures hands-on learning experiences, fostering collaboration and iterative improvement. **4. Case Studies of Resilient Teaching** Concluding the course is a series of inspiring case studies that emphasize a care-centered model of instruction. These examples illustrate how educators can prioritize learner-centered pedagogical approaches during challenging times. Participants will gain insights into real-world applications of the principles discussed throughout the course, inspiring them to adopt similar practices in their own teaching contexts. #### Why You Should Enroll 1. **Timely and Relevant Content**: The course is particularly pertinent in a post-pandemic world where the shift to hybrid and online learning environments continues to challenge traditional pedagogical methods. 2. **Practical Application**: The structured approach, including worked examples and peer evaluations, ensures that participants leave with actionable plans that can be implemented immediately. 3. **Community of Educators**: Engaging with fellow educators in discussions and peer assessments enhances the learning experience, providing diverse perspectives and shared challenges. 4. **Expert Instruction**: Led by experienced instructors, the course offers insights drawn from research and practical experiences that are essential for understanding resilient teaching practices. #### Conclusion The **"Resilient Teaching Through Times of Crisis and Change"** course on Coursera is a must-take for anyone passionate about education, especially in today’s rapidly changing environment. It’s more than just a course; it’s a roadmap to fostering resilient teaching practices that not only survive disruption but thrive amid challenges. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the field, this course will undoubtedly equip you with the tools you need to facilitate effective learning experiences in any context. Register today to embark on a transformative journey towards resilient teaching!

Syllabus

Towards a Resilient Pedagogy

We take a brief look in our “rearview mirror” and reflect on the challenges of the emergency remote teaching phase that was prompted by the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. We then look to “the horizon line” and make a case for why we need a resilient approach to course design now more than ever. We do this by examining characteristics of a wide range of potential instructional scenarios that will impact how students and faculty teach and learn. We then examine the construct of “resilience” and situate it within a range of disciplines in order to be able to articulate key characteristics of resilient design.

We examine a systems design approach in order to be able to identify key components of a system. We then consider how system components relate to course design. Building on this, we use ideas from education, such as the interactions triangle and universal design for learning as we move towards articulating principles of resilient design for learning. We define and articulate three guiding principles for resilient design for learning: designing for extensibility, designing for flexibility, and designing for redundancy.

We hear from Professor Chris Quintana who describes the characteristics, challenges, and context of a course he will be teaching next semester. We follow a worked example of how Professor Quintana is using the instructional triangle and the three guiding principles of resilient design for learning to inform course design decisions. Participants reflect on their own course design contexts and use these reflections as the basis of a peer-graded resilient teaching plan.

We are introduced to a care-centered model of instruction as an alternative but complementary frame for considering how instructors can foreground learner-centered pedagogical approaches through times of crisis and change. We examine a range of brief case studies that highlight inspiring examples from instructors who reflect on their experiences during the remote teaching phase and consider how both care-centered approaches and principles of resilient design for learning are evidenced in these examples.