Course Description
Activities to Accelerate Learning is designed for educators seeking innovative strategies to accelerate learning outcomes, across various contexts such as fulfilling Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, developing resources for honors classes, and navigating post-COVID education challenges. No longer is mastery of the basics—reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic—sufficient. As educators, we are asked to achieve increasingly higher learning goals with students, all within the traditional 9-month academic cycle. This course acknowledges and rewards the time and effort educators invest in creating interactive activities, pedagogical approaches, and leveraging technological tools to foster dynamic learning environments that promote accelerated learning. Explore techniques for promoting active learning, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity among students, building upon your learnings to craft authentic learning experiences that deeply impact learning outcomes and accelerate learning.
Earn up to 3 units of graduate-level credit (1 unit per 5 projects) for developing and implementing projects to accelerate student learning. Then, simply submit a portfolio of learning activities and strategies upon course completion, along with a time log documenting non-professionally paid hours spent developing activities.
About University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific, established in 1851, is California’s oldest private chartered university and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The credits offered are post-baccalaureate, graded, graduate-level semester units of credit, provided directly through University of the Pacific, Benerd College. They are specifically designed to meet the needs of educators for Salary Advancement and Recertification. The credits/units are acceptable where local districts approve and applicable to state licensing where authorized. We always encourage you to check with your employer for acceptability of these credits/units. Course participants are responsible to determine acceptability of these credits for their intended use. Each graduate-level semester credit is equivalent to 15 hours of academic involvement.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Implement innovative strategies to accelerate learning outcomes across diverse educational contexts, including IEP goals, honors classes, and post-COVID challenges.
- Develop interactive activities and pedagogical approaches that foster dynamic learning environments conducive to accelerated learning.
- Leverage technological tools effectively to enhance student engagement and promote active learning, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.
- Craft authentic learning experiences that deeply impact learning outcomes and contribute to accelerated student learning.
- Create and implement projects aimed at accelerating student learning, with each project contributing towards earning up to 3 units of graduate-level credit.
- Compile a comprehensive portfolio of learning activities and strategies, supported by a time log documenting non-professionally paid hours dedicated to developing activities, as evidence of completing course objectives.
- Reflect on their professional development experiences, specifically related to future implementation of activities and strategies aimed at accelerating student learning.