Engage students in challenging texts
November 30 - January 11
November 30 - January 11
When in-person time is limited, many educators wonder how best to engage students in creative, collaborative work — particularly when it comes to interacting with classic, canonical, or complex texts. How can you tap into your own expertise and inspire students to read and respond to challenging texts through multiple modalities? Designing Invitations to Create, a five-part online course, will introduce you to a practical, engaging practice that bridges physical and digital space — Invitations to Create, a key element of our Literacy Unbound initiative.
Literacy Unbound aims to engage readers in challenging texts by awakening the imagination through collaborative construction of the textual world. Essential to this construction is the practice of Invitations to Create. This course will provide both theoretical and practical information about Invitations to Create and establish space for you to share prior knowledge and experiences as you experiment with the possibilities of this new practice in your own classroom and school.
Literacy Unbound aims to engage readers in challenging texts by awakening the imagination through collaborative construction of the textual world. Essential to this construction is the practice of Invitations to Create. This course will provide both theoretical and practical information about Invitations to Create and establish space for you to share prior knowledge and experiences as you experiment with the possibilities of this new practice in your own classroom and school.
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Designing Invitations to Create is a five-week, asynchronous online course. You'll be able to move through this course at your own pace, with no expectation to be online at specific times.
This course is designed to allow for approximately 2 hours of participation per week. While you can interact with each module as often as you'd like, we find that 2 hours per week / 1 module per week works best for participants. Throughout this course, you'll discover how to:
Is this course right for you? Designing Invitations to Create welcomes all K-12 educators, but is best for high school English & History teachers, middle school Humanities teachers, and teacher leaders who want to:
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ. |
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Each module will include the following elements:
Introduction to Invitations to CreateExploring Invitations to Create — the theory behind them, the importance of building the world of a piece of literature, and how Invitations to Create can shift one's understanding of a complex or challenging text. Types of Invitations to CreateExploring the varieties of Invitations to Create, and understanding how they are crafted. Drafting Invitations to CreateWhat does it look like when educators draft and revise their own Invitations to Create for a text of their choice? Invitations to Create as Curriculum: Part IHow might we implement Invitations to Create? How might Invitations to Create become incorporated into your daily lessons? Invitations to Create as Curriculum: Part IIHow might we build larger units of curriculum around Invitations to Create in our classrooms? How might you assess and evaluate Invitations to Create? |
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Dr. Adele Bruni Ashley is a lecturer in the English Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught 8th through 12th grade English at the New York City Lab School, founding the Lab Theatre Company (LTC) in 2007. Prior to public school teaching, she received her M.F.A. in acting from the University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program (PATP) where she taught undergraduate theatre. As an educator, she is interested in structuring classroom spaces as laboratories for imaginative exploration and creation. |
FAQ
Registration
What are CTLE hours, and should I register for them?
Beginning in 2016, a registered holder of a NYS professional classroom teaching certificate, educational leadership certificate, or Level III teaching assistant certificate is required to successfully complete 100 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) hours. Teachers College is a state-approved provider of CTLE hours, and participants can earn up to 10 CTLE hours for participating in this opportunity. Participation will be verified before CTLE credits are awarded.
CTLE information must be included on your registration form. If you decline CTLE hours at the time of registration and change your mind afterward, you'll need to contact us prior to the start of this conference. Once you begin, we'll be unable to accommodate new CTLE requests.
CTLE information must be included on your registration form. If you decline CTLE hours at the time of registration and change your mind afterward, you'll need to contact us prior to the start of this conference. Once you begin, we'll be unable to accommodate new CTLE requests.
Is there a New Teacher Network membership discount available for this opportunity?
No, this opportunity is not eligible for an NTN member discount. You are welcome to register & participate in this course after paying the registration fee, or you can visit our PD Opportunities page to see other opportunities where your discount will apply.
Can I pay for my registration with a purchase order?
Absolutely! Have your school contact cpet@tc.edu to initiate this process.
In your message, please make sure to provide:
This information will allow us to provide you with the documentation needed to create a PO. This documentation will include our vendor & DOE contract numbers.
Once we've received a PO, we will provide your school with a promo code to distribute to the teachers they are funding. The promo code will allow you to bypass Eventbrite's payment section, so that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. You will still be required to complete a registration form.
In your message, please make sure to provide:
- your school name & address
- contact information (name & email) for the person who handles POs & payments at your school
- the number of teachers interested in registering for this opportunity
This information will allow us to provide you with the documentation needed to create a PO. This documentation will include our vendor & DOE contract numbers.
Once we've received a PO, we will provide your school with a promo code to distribute to the teachers they are funding. The promo code will allow you to bypass Eventbrite's payment section, so that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you. You will still be required to complete a registration form.
I have a promo code — where do I enter it?
Please see the blue text in the registration section that says "Enter promo code". Click that text, enter your code, and click "Apply". From there, you can continue with your registration as usual.
This course has already started. Can I still register?
Yes! You can register through December 7, 2020.
How do I change or cancel my registration?
If you need to change or cancel your registration for any reason, contact us at cpet@tc.edu.
If you choose to cancel your registration, we will be able to offer you a refund as long as you have not yet accepted the invitation to join the course.
If you choose to cancel your registration, we will be able to offer you a refund as long as you have not yet accepted the invitation to join the course.
Access & participation
How do I access this course?
Once you've registered, you will receive an email invitation to join our digital platform from Teachers College Canvas. From there, you will be able to set up a username and password.
If you register before November 30, you can expect to receive the invitation by November 30 when the course begins.
If you register after November 30, you can expect to receive the invitation within 48 hours of registration.
- Go to MyTC Portal (my.tc.columbia.edu)
- Click on the "Non-UNI Canvas Login" link
- Enter your email and password. If you didn't create one or have forgotten, simply click on the "Forgot Password?" link on the Canvas login page
- On the Canvas dashboard, accept any course invitations, if prompted
- You may also access the course on your mobile device through the Canvas Student App
- Course materials will be accessible immediately following your acceptance of the invitation
If you register before November 30, you can expect to receive the invitation by November 30 when the course begins.
If you register after November 30, you can expect to receive the invitation within 48 hours of registration.
What does a module include?
Each module will include the following elements:
*Must be completed to earn all CTLEs
- Instructional talks: A series of 3-4 short videos that break down the topic, provide examples, pose questions, and invite further reflection.
- Key resources: Downloadable resources for you to read, review, or use in your instruction.
- Discussion prompt*: Each module will pose a reflection question, which you can respond to using the discussion board. We want to hear from each person in the discussion board at least one time, and want each person to respond to a minimum of 2 other posts.
- Assignment*: Practical, hands-on assignments that will help you implement the content of the module and reflect on your experiences.
*Must be completed to earn all CTLEs
How much time will it take me to complete this course?
This course is designed to allow for approximately 2 hours of participation per week. This course runs from November 30 - January 11, and includes a total of five modules. While you can move through the course at your own pace, we find that approximately 2 hours per week / 1 module per week works best for participants.
Will I be expected to be online on specific days / at certain times?
No; this course is asynchronous. You can move through each module at your own pace.
This course is open over a holiday break. What are the instructor’s expectations during break?
Good news! When a course takes place over a holiday, like winter break, instructors do not expect to see assignments or discussions submitted; however, you are welcome to work on the course over break if you’d like.
How do I earn CTLE credits?
CTLEs are based on participation and completion of the course assignments and discussions (tasks). Completion of a task equals 1 CTLE credit.
Do I need to complete this course by a specific date?
All modules must be completed by the end of the course — January 11, 2020 at 11:59pm.
