Fall Semester: Foundational Framework: Effective Classroom Strategies - EDC-X717Y

Course Description

Credit Validation for Your Classroom Academy Participants Only

This fall semester, Your Classroom Academy will empower educators with foundational strategies to create dynamic, engaging, and student-centered classrooms. Over the course of five units, participants will develop and refine their skills in building relationships, fostering inquiry, and promoting critical thinking through active note-taking.

Teachers will explore techniques to establish a positive and inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued and motivated to succeed. Topics include cultivating meaningful relationships, setting clear expectations, and creating structures for collaboration and trust. Educators will also learn to introduce and apply Costa’s Levels of Thinking to guide students toward higher-order thinking. Additionally, they will integrate inquiry-based practices into their lesson plans, using targeted questioning techniques to challenge students and promote deep understanding. Through the active note-taking strategy, participants will master the 2-column format and discover how to layer notes intentionally, helping students create meaning and purpose in their learning.

Learner Outcomes

• Develop proficiency in implementing nearly 15 research-based classroom strategies designed to enhance rigor, engagement, and student outcomes
• Assess the effectiveness of strategies in your classroom through guided reflections, deepening your ability to adapt and refine your teaching practices
• Access practical tools and resources for immediate classroom application
• Cultivate confidence in fostering critical thinking and independent learning skills in your students
• Establish an understanding of lesson design and how to incorporate specific strategies to shift the cognitive load onto the students

Course Details

Number of Units: 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 

1. Enroll in this course:

• Home Page: Your Classroom Academy 
• Contact for more course information: erica.levich@gmail.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.

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

Applies Towards the Following Certificate(s), Professional Programs and Series

• Online Credit Validation Courses for Educators : Courses - Choose One or More