Building Thinking Classrooms, Part 2: Advancing Your BTC Instructional Practices - EDC-X762Z

Course Description

Credit Validation for DoDEA Participants Only

In this graduate credit course, participants will:

• Deepen their understanding of specific micro- and macro-moves through the lens of secondary mathematics tasks to further advance student thinking in the classroom
• Reflect on and engage in discussions with peers regarding the implementation of advanced BTC practices and goal-setting for instructional improvement
• Execute documented implementation cycles to trial new strategies or refine existing instructional moves in their own classrooms, receiving feedback from instructors or peers
• Contribute to a professional learning community by sharing experiences and observing colleagues, with the option to prepare peer-led sessions focused on BTC strategies

Graded Activities:

• Attend and actively participate in each in-person session
• Read and participate in all discussion threads
• Complete two documented instructional implementation cycles and goal-setting sessions
• Prepare a final reflection outlining course learning and next steps for participants’ classroom(s) and/or school(s)

Required Reading:

Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades 6–12
Peter Liljedahl & Kyle Webb
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2026
560 pages
ISBN: 1071877216

Learner Outcomes

• Select and refine key Building Thinking Classrooms practices that align with specific classroom goals
• Implement instructional practices in the classroom while reflecting on their effectiveness in supporting student thinking and engagement and exchanging feedback to strengthen practice
• Design and select instructional tasks that align with academic standards and intended learning outcomes

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for DoDEA Participants

Course Materials: Text, Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades 6-12 (Corwin Mathematics Series) by Peter Liljedahl and Kyle Webb available at Amazon.com or your local bookstore

University of San Diego – Graduate-Level Extension Credit Information

The University of San Diego partners with this program to offer graduate-level extension credit(s) in semester hours through the Credit Validation Program. To earn units, participants must register for and successfully complete coursework through the external program provider.

Credits earned through USD’s Credit Validation Program are widely accepted by many school districts and universities across the United States for purposes such as license renewal, required professional development hours, short-term skill building, salary advancement, credentialing, and potential advanced degree pathways. These units do not apply toward a master’s or higher degree program at the University of San Diego; however, they may be transferable to advanced degree programs (e.g., MA, EdD, PhD) at other institutions that accept external graduate-level credits.

Participants are responsible for confirming acceptance, transcript requirements, deadlines, and applicability of units with their employing district or intended institution prior to enrollment.

Directions to Enroll for Credit 

1. Enroll in this course with DoDEA.

2. Complete all course work with DoDEA.

Please Note: USD does not provide course materials, manage instruction, or assign grades. All coursework is evaluated by the program’s instructor or coordinator.

2. Click “Add to Cart” located on the right of this page to purchase units. If this course displays “Request Information,” it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment or has already closed for enrollment.

Transcript Process: Final grades submitted by the program provider will initiate the transcript process. Grades should be submitted within 7 days of the official course end date or the course enrollment deadline—whichever comes last. Participants are responsible for ensuring their mailing address is accurate and up to date in their USD student account to avoid delays in transcript delivery.

Transcript Delivery Timeline:

• U.S. addresses: 2–3 weeks
• International addresses: 3–4 weeks