Teaching and Learning for Social Impact

Introduction

What course is possible this semester that has not been possible before?

Teaching this year is going to be unlike any other that we have taught before.We are living in the midst of a global pandemic that is particularly devastating in the US. Our country is being forced to contend with racism and anti-Blackness, and we will teach in the midst of an election that will undoubtedly have incredible ramifications.In addition to all of this, many faculty are planning to teach, and students will be asked to learn, using modalities that are unfamiliar. For many of us, planning our courses in the current social climate feels like a weighty task.

Teaching this year is indeed of great importance, and it has the potential to be hopeful, generative, and freeing.What do you hate about teaching? This is the year to let that go. Are you overwhelmed by all the tech tools and options for teaching online? We recommend that you use the easiest, simplest option that allows your students to achieve your course learning goals. What would make your teaching, your students' learning, and your course really matter? Focus on that. To do this we can examine our roles as educators, the relevance of our field of discipline in this moment – including the limitations of our fields – and how knowledge and actions can be improved through dialogue and/or engagement with our communities.

Comment and Annotate

The teaching schema is a living document, and we anticipate that it will evolve. We value your feedback, and would love to hear about your successes engaging with the schema, as well as things you think that could be added, changed, and improved. You can leave comments on pages where you see the bubble icon. Please be kind, as if you were speaking to us in person. If you'd like to chat with one of the schema designers, please contact them by email.

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