Eric Brunsell, associate professor, curriculum and instruction at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Education and Human Services, has created a massive open online course (MOOC) for teachers to learn about the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in a more hands-on way.
As a member of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Science Leadership Team, Brunsell has been exploring how the new NGSS, which have been updated to reflect advances in science, will impact teaching in Wisconsin.
“The NGSS integrate engineering concepts, focus on a coherent scope and sequence for content and foster a teaching approach that provides opportunities for all students to succeed,” said Brunsell.
In addition, the NGSS identify strong connections between science and the content found in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts.
Burnsell’s goal for the five-week MOOC is to show teachers more than just the simple overview of the standards and really dig deep to explore the principles that form the foundation for the structure of the standards.
He also wants to show teachers what the standards will look like when they’re being used, while also identifying ways the standards can be transitioned into classroom instruction.
“The NGSS MOOC will use series of video lectures, resources, performance tasks and online office hours.” Brunsell said. The MOOC will also use a variety of mechanisms to help teachers dig into the standards, including asynchronous discussions via a variety of social media platforms and a weekly chat session.
So far more than 350 educators, representing more than 20 states and 10 different countries, have registered for the MOOC.
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