Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/teaching-character

Introduction

### Course Review: Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms **Overview** The "Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms" course offered on Coursera is a transformative learning experience that integrates principles of positive psychology into K-12 pedagogy. It is designed for educators who aspire to create dynamic and supportive environments that foster student engagement, resilience, and personal growth. By merging theory with practical strategies, this course empowers teachers to effectively instill character development alongside academic learning. **Course Structure and Syllabus** The course is organized into five comprehensive modules that guide participants through an introspective and actionable journey: 1. **Your Character Journey**: This foundational module encourages educators to first explore their own strengths of character. Understanding personal virtues and values is essential as educators play a crucial role in shaping their students' character development. This self-reflection sets the tone for the rest of the course. 2. **The Science of Character**: Here, students delve into the research that underpins character education. This module highlights key studies and findings in positive psychology, establishing a solid framework for why character matters in the classroom. It's an eye-opening experience that combines academic rigor with practical insight. 3. **Teaching Character in Every Moment**: Education occurs in every interaction. This module emphasizes the importance of intentionality in teaching, reminding educators that character development is not confined to specific lessons but is cultivated through everyday experiences. It encourages teachers to be mindful of their words and actions, as these carry significant weight. 4. **Macro Structures**: Transitioning from theory to practice, this module guides educators in creating actionable plans for teaching character. Participants learn to embed character education into their daily teaching routines, fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally. 5. **Talking About Character Growth**: The final module focuses on the continuous nature of character development. It reinforces the idea that virtues like grit and gratitude require ongoing attention and integration into everyday life. Educators learn how to facilitate conversations about character growth, ensuring that it becomes a communal and continual process within their classrooms. **Strengths of the Course** The course excels in several areas: - **Diverse Learning Approaches**: A mix of lectures, discussions, interviews with educators, and real classroom footage provides a rich, multifaceted learning experience. This variety caters to different learning styles and keeps participants engaged. - **Practical Application**: With a strong emphasis on how to implement character education strategies in real-life classroom settings, the course equips educators with the tools they need to make a tangible difference. - **Supportive Community**: Coursera’s platform allows for interaction with fellow educators, fostering a sense of community. Participants can share experiences, challenges, and successes, creating a collaborative learning environment. **Recommendations** I wholeheartedly recommend "Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms" for educators at all career stages—whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting your journey. The principles taught in this course are not only relevant to teaching but also to nurturing an inclusive and positive classroom culture. By emphasizing character development alongside academic success, educators can help their students grow into well-rounded individuals who are equipped to face the challenges of the future. This course offers the theoretical backing and practical strategies needed to make this a reality, while also inspiring a deeper understanding of the educator’s role in shaping character. In conclusion, if you’re looking to enrich your teaching practice and create a classroom environment that prioritizes positive character development, this course is a must-take. You will leave with new insights and actionable strategies that can profoundly impact your teaching and your students’ lives.

Syllabus

Your Character Journey

Let's begin with an exploration of our own strengths of character... we all have them!

This module explores the research base that supports the teaching of character.

Character education starts with an intentional approach to every human-to-human interaction.

Create a plan for teaching character and then work every day to make it happen.

No one ever masters something like grit or gratitude; the goal is to integrate those lessons into our daily lives.