New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy (Coursera)

It takes an historical perspective in order to define the contemporary dimensions of what we term “new learning”. It prepares participants to make purposeful choices and link particular theories/instructional approaches to individual and group learning goals.

Recommended Background:

This course is designed for people interested in the future of education and the "learning society," including people who may wish to join education as a profession, practicing teachers interested in exploring future directions for a vocation that is currently undergoing transformation, and community and workplace leaders who regard their mission to be in part "educative."

This course is based on the book New Learning: Elements of a Science of Education.

This course is one of a series of eight MOOCs created by Bill Cope and Mary Kalantzis for the Learning Design and Leadership program at the University of Illinois. If you find this MOOC helpful, please join us in others!

- e-Learning Ecologies: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning for the Digital Age

- New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy

- Assessment for Learning

- Learning, Knowledge, and Human Development

- Ubiquitous Learning and Instructional Technologies

- Negotiating Learner Differences: Towards Productive Diversity in Learning

- Literacy Teaching and Learning: Aims, Approaches and Pedagogies

- Multimodal Literacies: Communication and Learning in the Era of Digital Media

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Module 1: Course Orientation

Education is in a state of flux – transitioning from traditional architectures and practices to new ecologies of teaching and learning influenced by the tremendous social and technological changes of our times. This course explores three pedagogical paradigms: “didactic,” “authentic,” and “transformative” learning. It takes a historical perspective in order to define the contemporary dimensions of what we term “new learning.” It prepares participants to make purposeful choices and link particular theories/instructional approaches to individual and group learning goals.

WEEK 2

Module 2: What is New Learning?

This module explores some of the key terms of education: formal versus informal learning; and the distinctions that might be made between the terms "education," "curriculum," and "pedagogy." It also addresses the question of the differences between education as an art and a science.

WEEK 3

Module 3: Didactic and Authentic education

In this module, course participants analyze two foundational paradigms of modern education, which we term "didactic" and "authentic" approaches.

WEEK 4

Module 4: Transformative Education - New Learning

In the final module of this course, we will be considering prospects for the future of education, imaging a "new learning" based on a repertoire of moves drawn from the didactic and authentic pedagogies. What does transformative education mean, in theory as well as in practice?