This course is designed for K-12 educators, or those who are interested in furthering their knowledge of American history, while also providing exciting and enjoyable lessons for their classrooms. Students will explore several “close calls” during several different eras of United States history and analyze how these events, had they taken a different turn, would have changed America and the world. So many of these events, no matter how insignificant they might have seemed at the time, had long lasting effects on the nation. Students will have the opportunity to critically analyze historical events and create their own alternative outcome scenarios. As a final cumulative project, students will create their own lesson plans incorporating this technique of historical inquiry to intrigue their students and further their development as life-long learners.
Number of Units: 2.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours
Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for teachers (Grade K-14) looking to foster a deeper appreciation for history and social science for themselves and their students, and how to incorporate new learning from the course into the classroom.
Course Materials: There are no textbook or audio-course requirements for this course.
Technical Requirements
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Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.
Online fixed-date courses are delivered virtually but follow a predetermined schedule, requiring students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take assessments by specific deadlines—much like a traditional classroom. The key difference is that while traditional courses are conducted in person at set times and locations, online fixed-date courses allow students to engage remotely, offering more flexibility in where they learn while preserving structure and accountability through fixed timelines. (Note: Any scheduled Zoom sessions will be outlined on the class schedule.) These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources. Instructor feedback is shared along with the graded assignments.
How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.
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It was an interesting way to approach history and I fully intend to utilizing what I learned in my classroom!