Fall Semester: Classroom Strategies for Student-Centered Instruction - EDC-X764AA

Course Description

Credit Validation for Your Classroom Academy Participants Only

This course introduces K–12 educators to 20 research-based instructional strategies designed to shift the cognitive work of learning from the teacher to the student. Participants explore how small, consistent changes in lesson structure can transform who is doing the thinking in the classroom and build a practical toolkit they can apply immediately across content areas in grades 2–12.

Strategies are released in pairs during Months 1 through 5 of the fall semester and intentionally build on one another, moving from establishing community and inquiry to active engagement routines, deeper collaboration, and ultimately full student ownership of classroom learning. Grounded in research on cognitive load theory and Chi and Wylie’s ICAP framework (Chi & Wylie, 2014), each strategy includes implementation guidance, troubleshooting support, and structured reflection tools.

Coursework is completed within Roster, an online professional learning community for teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators. In addition to strategy content, participants have access to live monthly learning sessions, one-on-one instructional coaching, and an active discussion community of educators implementing the same strategies in their own classrooms. Participants engage in structured self-reflection after each implementation, connect with colleagues through discussion forums, and receive individualized coaching support as they refine their practice.

Fall Course Summary

The Fall course focuses on building student-centered instruction through 10 research-based strategies across five key areas: community, inquiry, reading, collaboration, and vocabulary. Teachers learn, plan, and implement each strategy in their classroom, reflect on student responses, participate in weekly discussions, and receive ongoing support through monthly live coaching sessions.

Fall strategies include: Name Tents, Dice Breakers, Notice & Wonder, Think-Ink-Pair-Share, Gist Read, Read-Mark-Explain, 4 Corners, Jigsaw, 1 Word/2 Words, and the Frayer Model.

Learner Outcomes

• Implement research-based instructional strategies that shift cognitive load from teacher to student across a variety of content areas and grade levels
• Analyze classroom practice using structured reflection tools, identifying what worked, what to adjust, and how individual students responded
• Evaluate student engagement and understanding using formative evidence gathered during and after strategy implementation
• Adapt instructional strategies to meet the needs of specific students, content areas, and classroom contexts
• Collaborate with a professional community of educators to troubleshoot implementation challenges and share effective practices

Course Details

PLEASE READ ALL COURSE DETAILS

Number of Units: 1.0 - 2.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours. 

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for Your Classroom Academy Participants.

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 

Step 1: Register with the Partner Organization
Complete your registration directly with the partner organization. Follow their instructions to begin the course and pay any required enrollment fees.

• Homepage: Your Classroom Academy Roster
• Enroll: Roster Membership
• Info: Erica Levich - erica@yourclassroomacademy.com

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

Step 2: Complete the Course 
Participate fully in the course through the partner organization and complete all required assignments, activities, and assessments. (Some courses, specifically DoDEA courses, may require participants to purchase units before the course ends; please check the enrollment window for details.)

Step 3: Register for University Credit
After confirming your registration with the partner organization and completing your program, return to USD’s website.

• Locate the same course on our listings page
• Click Add to Cart
• Click Check Out
• You will be prompted to either log into your USD Student Account or create one, and then pay for your units

If this course displays Request Information, it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment (please check the enrollment dates) or enrollment has already closed. If enrollment has closed, you may still contact the organization directly to see if they will accept a late enrollment or if the course will be offered again in the future.

Step 4: Submit your Certificate of Completion
After completing this course, you are required to submit your certificate of completion, which will be provided by your program. Please be sure to purchase your credits first, then email your certificate to pce-cv@sandiego.edu, including the course number in your message.

Step 5: Receive Your Transcript
No further action is needed. Once your grade has been processed, USD will issue an official transcript reflecting your earned university credit. Transcripts are mailed to the address listed in your USD student account. 

Transcript Process: Once we receive your certificate of completion, we will begin processing your transcript. Participants are responsible for ensuring that 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

For detailed information regarding the University of San Diego Credit Validation Program, please consult our Participant Guide.

Need additional university credit or CEUs? Visit the Credit Validation Course Catalog to explore available credit options.

If you would like to purchase Continuing Education Units (CEUs) instead of USD Graduate-Level Extension Credit (GLEC), CEU participants will receive a Confirmation of Completion Letter documenting the CEUs earned, which can be downloaded and provided as a PDF for professional records. Click here to view the CEU option.