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ABOUT THE COURSE   |   FAQ
Register
 
Engage learners in the writing classroom
April 19 - May 9
Engaging learners in the writing classroom is a challenge for teachers at every grade level. How can we motivate learners, increase engagement, and support students’ emotional needs? From the earliest grade levels all the way through high school, educators need relevant, clear, and actionable plans to engage our students in writing that meets them where they are, advances their learning, and builds upon their foundational writing skills. 

Literacy strategies are a necessary start to meeting the needs of diverse learners, and recent changes in the NYS Instructional Leadership Framework have set new standards and concepts for reaching a variety of students. In its first brief on Advanced Literacies for Academic Success, the New York State Department of Education notes that Advanced Literacies are "skills and competencies that enable communication in increasingly diverse ways and promote the understanding and use of text for a variety of purposes."

Throughout The Write Stuff, we'll unpack methods for offering effective and appropriate feedback to your students, incorporating reflective writing into your curriculum, and using portfolios as projects to enhance learner motivation and agency in writing. 
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The Write Stuff is a three-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.
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Throughout this course, you'll discover how to:
  • Design engaging reflective learning practices for learners and use these reflections to design lesson plans
  • Construct and utilize writing portfolios as a means of project-based learning
  • Identify and employ appropriate forms of feedback
  • Use the Instructional Leadership Framework's Four Hallmarks of Advanced Literacy to inform your project planning and development
Is this course right for you? 
The Write Stuff welcomes all educators, but is best for K-12 teachers of English, ENL, writing, and literature who want to: ​

  • Better engage their learners
  • Provide meaningful feedback to students
  • Gain emotional insight into students' lives outside the classroom
  • Explore opportunities for using project-based learning in the classroom


Still have questions? Check out our FAQ.  
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Each module will include the following elements: 
  • 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. Discussions must be completed in order to earn CTLE credits. 
  • Assignment: Practical, hands-on assignments that will help you implement the content of the module and reflect on your experiences. Assignments must be completed in order to earn CTLE credits. 
Actionable Feedback: Connecting with Advanced Literacy
Identifying and employing appropriate forms of feedback, including self, peer, and teacher feedback varieties.
Reflective Writing: Moving Beyond the Journal
Exploring types of reflection, the reflective process, and how to implement reflective practices for students in your classroom. 
Portfolios as Project: PBL in the Writing Classroom
Defining project-based learning and planning activities that motivate learners and increase agency in the classroom.
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​Sean is currently pursuing an Ed.M. in applied linguistics at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to arriving at CPET, he earned an MA-TESOL from The New School. As an English teacher for the last 13 years, both in the US and overseas, Sean has taught in a wide range of English classrooms, teaching learners of all levels and ages. For the past two years, Sean has been a teacher trainer in Dak Lak, Vietnam, as an English Language Fellow hosted by the U.S. Department of State. He looks forward to continuing his work with K-12 educators.
 
Registration
Where do I enter my promo code?
Click the blue text below that says "Enter promo code". Enter your code, and click "Apply". From there, you can continue with your registration as usual.

Promo codes must be entered before you begin registration; there is no option to add it after you click the "Checkout" button. 
 
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 6 CTLE hours for participating in this opportunity. Participation will be verified before CTLE credits are awarded.
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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 course. 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 [email protected] to initiate this process.

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 April 26, 2021.
How do I change or cancel my registration?
If you need to change or cancel your registration for any reason, contact us at [email protected].
If you choose to cancel your registration, w
e 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.
  • 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 April 19, you can expect to receive the invitation by the time the course begins.
If you register after April 19, you can expect to receive the invitation within 48 hours of registration.
What does a module include?
Each module will include the following elements: 
  • 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?
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.
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 — May 9, 2021 at 11:59pm. 
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The Center for Professional Education of Teachers (CPET) at Teachers College, Columbia University is committed to making excellent and equitable education accessible worldwide. ​CPET unites theory and practice to promote transformational change. We design innovative projects, cultivate sustainable partnerships, and conduct research through direct and online services to youth and educators. Grounded in adult learning theories, our six core principles structure our customized approach and expand the capacities of educators around the world.

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  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Our Authors
    • Principles of Practice
    • Job Opportunities
  • What We Do
    • Services
    • Equity in Action
    • Literacy Unbound Summer Institute
    • Signature Initiatives >
      • Literacy Unbound
      • New Teacher Network
      • Student Press Initiative
  • Educator Essentials
    • Book of the month
    • Online Courses
    • Professional Articles
    • Ready-to-use Resources
    • Teaching Today Podcast
  • Support CPET