Place-based Teaching & Learning

Course Overview

Students are naturally interested in exploring their world and participating as active citizens on projects relevant to them. Place-based teaching and learning (PBTL) in schools and educational organizations offers local culture, the built environment, and nature as an integrating context for learning. This course will explore practical strategies for the implementation of place-based learning in order to meet PreK-12 curriculum standards and organizational goals. Students who participate in place-based education are more likely to have stronger ties with their community. Additional course focus will include the integration of social justice and PBTL; approaches to developing an interdisciplinary place-based curriculum; designing place-based learning experiences to fulfill school and organizational mission statements; and strategies for taking full advantage of the school campus and community as learning sites. Students in this course will design a place-based unit or project that integrates student choice, uses place as a context for learning, and develops school – community ties.

Course Materials: Students should contact the course instructor and review the course syllabus for information related to course materials/texts.