An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching from edX

This course is designed to provide future STEM faculty, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with an introduction to effective teaching strategies and the research that supports them.

The goal of the eight-week course is to equip the next generation of STEM faculty to be effective teachers, thus improving the learning experience for the thousands of students they will teach.

The course draws on the expertise of experienced STEM faculty, educational researchers, and staff from university teaching centers, many of them affiliated with the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL), a network of research universities collaborating in the preparation of STEM graduate students and post-docs as future faculty members.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Key learning principles such as the role of mental models in learning and the importance of practice and feedback
Fundamental elements of course design, including the development of learning objectives and assessments of learning aligned with those objectives

Teaching strategies for fostering active learning and inclusive classroom environments

Key learning principles such as the role of mental models in learning and the importance of practice and feedback
Fundamental elements of course design, including the development of learning objectives and assessments of learning aligned with those objectives
Teaching strategies for fostering active learning and inclusive classroom environments

Syllabus

Week 1 – Principles of Learning, Part 1

We start by exploring a few key learning principles that apply in all teaching contexts such as student’s prior knowledge, mental models and knowledge organization. We’ll consider the research supporting these principles and examples of how faculty implement them.

Week 2 – Principles of Learning, Part 2

We continue our exploration of learning principles that apply in all teaching contexts, Including effective ways of providing feedback to students and their motivations for learning. We’ll consider the research supporting these principles and examples of how STEM faculty put them into practice.

Week 3 – Learning Objectives

Designing an effective learning experience for students means beginning with the end in mind. This week, we will identify ways to craft learning objectives for students and discuss strategies for incorporating those objectives into your instruction.

Week 4 – Assessment of Learning

Once we have outlined and implemented our learning objectives we must consider ways of assessing those learning objectives. We will discuss strategies for designing assessments that will align with your learning goals as well as how student mindset can influence their performance on these assessments.

Week 5 – Active Learning

We beginwith a description of the benefits of active learning and how it fits into the overall learning cycle. Then, the module outlines two key features of active learning, teamwork and critical thinking, by showcasing several manifestations of active learning.

Week 6 – Inclusive Teaching

We will discuss inclusive teaching and many of the issues instructors can face when teaching classes composed of students of varying ethnicities and genders. We provide examples of teaching practices and language that can isolate certain student populations along with strategies to avoid these practices.

Week 7 – Lesson Planning

This week you will create an annotated lesson plan for a class you might teach in the future incorporating many of the principles covered in this course.

Week 8 – Conclusion

In the final week of the course, you’ll provide feedback to your peers on their lesson plans and receive feedback on your lesson plan.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches effective teaching strategies and the research that supports them

Taught by Derek Bruff, Trina McMahon, Bennett Goldberg, Henry (Rique) Campa who are recognized for their work in STEM education

Designed for future STEM faculty, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows

Covers core elements of course design, including the development of learning objectives and assessments

Examines inclusive teaching practices to support diverse student populations

Provides opportunities for peer feedback and reflection on lesson planning

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching with these activities:

Review basic principles of learning and cognition

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Refreshing your understanding of learning and cognition can help you design more effective teaching strategies and create a more engaging learning environment for your students.

Browse courses on Learning Theories

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Read articles or books on learning theories and cognition.
Attend a workshop or webinar on the topic.
Discuss learning theories and cognition with colleagues or peers.

Follow tutorials on inclusive teaching strategies

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Following tutorials can help you learn about and implement inclusive teaching practices that create a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students.

Browse courses on Inclusive Teaching

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Find tutorials on inclusive teaching strategies online or through professional development programs.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key concepts.
Apply the strategies you learn to your own teaching.

Review "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

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Reviewing this book can help you enhance your communication, interpersonal skills, and understand social psychology, which are all valuable for effective teaching.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly and take notes on key concepts.
Identify specific strategies and techniques that you can apply to your teaching.

Four other activities

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Solve practice problems on STEM teaching best practices

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Solving practice problems can reinforce your understanding of effective teaching strategies and help you develop critical thinking skills.

Browse courses on STEM Education

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Work through the problems carefully, taking notes on your solutions.
Review your solutions and identify areas where you need improvement.

Design a lesson plan for an interactive STEM lesson

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Creating a lesson plan will help you apply the principles of effective teaching and course design to your own teaching practice.

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Identify the learning objectives for your lesson.
Choose appropriate teaching strategies and activities that align with your learning objectives.
Develop assessments to measure student learning.

Engage in peer feedback on teaching practices

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Engaging in peer feedback can provide you with valuable insights into your teaching practices and help you identify areas for improvement.

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Find a peer who is also interested in improving their teaching.
Observe each other's teaching and provide feedback on strengths and areas for improvement.
Reflect on the feedback you receive and make changes to your teaching accordingly.

Attend a conference or workshop on STEM education

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Attending conferences and workshops can provide you with opportunities to learn from other STEM educators, share your own ideas, and network with potential collaborators.

Browse courses on STEM Education

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Identify conferences or workshops that align with your interests.
Register for the event and make travel arrangements.
Attend the sessions and take notes on key takeaways.
Connect with other attendees and exchange contact information.

Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Educational Researcher

An Educational Researcher conducts research on how people learn. They use this research to develop new teaching methods and materials. This course can help build a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as understanding learning principles, conducting research, and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Researcher

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer develops courses and training materials. They use their understanding of learning principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This course can help build a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning, assessment, and understanding learning principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Learning Scientist

A Learning Scientist conducts experiments in order to develop, evaluate, and improve educational processes. They do this by using empirical data and developing theories based on that data. This course can help build a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning, assessment, and understanding learning principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Scientist

Math Teacher

A Math Teacher teaches mathematics to students at the secondary school level. They use their understanding of learning principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This course can help build a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning, assessment, and understanding learning principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Math Teacher

Science Teacher

A Science Teacher teaches science to students at the secondary school level. They use their understanding of learning principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This course can help build a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning, assessment, and understanding learning principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Curriculum Developer

A Curriculum Developer designs and develops educational curricula for schools and other educational institutions. They use their understanding of learning principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This course can help build a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning, assessment, and understanding learning principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Education Consultant

An Education Consultant provides advice and support to schools and other educational institutions on how to improve their teaching and learning practices. They use their understanding of learning principles to develop effective teaching strategies and materials. This course can help build a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as understanding learning principles, conducting research, and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Researcher

A Researcher conducts research in a variety of fields, including education, psychology, and business. They use their understanding of research methods to design and conduct studies that can help to improve our understanding of the world around us. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as conducting research and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher

Teacher

A Teacher teaches students at the elementary, middle, or secondary school level. They use their understanding of learning principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning, assessment, and understanding learning principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Corporate Trainer

A Corporate Trainer designs and delivers training programs for employees in businesses and organizations. They use their understanding of learning principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning, assessment, and understanding learning principles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Trainer

Consultant

A Consultant provides advice and support to businesses and organizations on a variety of topics, including education, training, and human resources. They use their understanding of learning principles to develop effective teaching strategies and materials. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as understanding learning principles and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policy issues. They use their understanding of learning principles to develop effective teaching strategies and materials. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as conducting research and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Instructional Coach

An Instructional Coach provides support and guidance to teachers on how to improve their teaching practices. They use their understanding of learning principles to develop effective teaching strategies and materials. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as understanding learning principles and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Coach

Principal

A Principal manages a school and its staff. They use their understanding of learning principles to develop effective teaching strategies and materials. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as understanding learning principles and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Principal

Program Manager

A Program Manager plans and manages educational programs. They use their understanding of learning principles to develop effective teaching strategies and materials. This course may be useful for building a foundation in the skills necessary for this role, such as lesson planning and developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager