VASCD Micro-credentials 2022
STOP CHECKING BOXES AND COUNTING POINTS! Micro-credentials give teachers the same learning advantages we want for students: flexibility, choice, and relevance
Teachers get credit for demonstrating skills they already have while strengthening those skills to impact student learning. Your work takes place in your classroom, not on a webinar, in a class, or at a conference. Turn the page for a more detailed description and a catalog of 2022 offerings. MAKE THIS YOUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PLAN!
Professional learning can be... FLEXIBLE: Teachers choose how best to learn and demonstrate their skills. RELEVANT: Teachers apply their skills within their classrooms. VALIDATED: Evidence is assessed objectively by trained external reviewers and feedback provided. COMPETENCY BASED: Success is based on proficiency, not hours spent.
ENROLL HERE by March 30
2022 Catalog NEW TEACHER STACK These micro-credentials are designed with new teachers in mind, but are useful at any level of experience or expertise for those wishing to refresh and document their skills. CREATE AND COMMUNICATE CLEAR LEARNING TARGETS Teachers create and communicate learning targets in student friendly language, provide experiences that help students understand and work toward learning targets, and design or revise lessons aligned with learning targets. USING ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES TO STRENGTHEN LEARNING Teachers choose and implement classroom routines and procedures that reduce interruptions and distractions or contribute to students’ ability to be self-directed in everyday tasks. FACILITATE RESPECTFUL STUDENT-TO-STUDENT CONVERSATIONS Teachers choose and implement protocols for speaking and listening that support a culture of respectful student to student conversations to promote deeper learning. BUILD CLASSROOM COMMUNITY Teachers apply communitybuilding strategies to help diverse learners feel safe and confident to articulate their perceptions and needs with one another.
Complete your micro-credential by May 27
2022 Catalog INNOVATION STACK These 3 micro-credentials are designed as a sequence for those interested in designing and implementing performance assessment, but they may be earned individually or in any order. CREATE A PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT BLUEPRINT Teachers construct a design blueprint for a performance assessment that is organized around a big idea, driving question or problem. DESIGNING A RUBRIC Teachers design a student-friendly rubric that provides clear criteria and opportunity for growth in one or more of the 5 Cs. PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO FOSTER DEEPER LEARNING Teachers utilize information from formative assessment and descriptive and feedback strategies during instruction to improve the quality of student work.
ENROLL HERE by March 30
2022 Catalog CULTURAL COMPETENCE STACK These 3 micro-credentials are designed as a sequence but they may be earned individually or in any order. REFLECT ON MY CULTURAL COMPETENCE Teachers Identify the factors that create their own cultural identity as well as those they may or may not share with students. They identify influences of cultural differences on expectations of student engagement, discipline, learning and achievement. BUILD CLASSROOM COMMUNITY Teachers apply communitybuilding strategies to help diverse learners feel safe and confident to articulate their perceptions and needs with one another. CREATING A MORE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Teachers demonstrate to students that all cultures and identities are respected in the classroom, and that they have high expectations for learning for all students. USING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES Teachers activate students’ prior knowledge by tapping into cultural norms and experiences and encourage multiple (and multicultural) viewpoints and interpretations of content.
Complete your micro-credential by May 27
2022 Catalog DEEPER STUDENT LEARNING STACK These three micro-credentials all relate to student interactions and their role in deeper learning. They may be earned individually or in any order. BUILD STUDENT ACADEMIC DISCUSSION SKILLS Teachers create and implement learning experiences for students to identify elements of a productive discussion, and to gather and present evidence that supports or refutes ideas/opinions. BUILD STUDENTS QUESTIONING SKILLS Teachers help students understand and develop questions that build their knowledge, extend understanding, and deepen their thinking. They embed these questioning skills in academic learning experiences. TEACH ABOUT AND THROUGH EMPATHY Teachers model empathetic responses to others , design and implement lesson activities to help students understand empathy, and create opportunities for students to demonstrate empathy.
ENROLL HERE by March 30 Complete your micro-credential by May 27