Spring Year 1: Exploration (Optional Placement Abroad)
Fall Year 1: Deep Dive
In their first semester, Learning Design participants are placed in one school. Students spend three-weeks per grade in order to capture a snapshot of the way the content of their subject-area builds over time. In this initial semester students spend two days a week in their school-based field placement while completing complimentary coursework in learning theory, cultivating culture, and design thinking. The capstone project of this semester will require designers to analyze the way the taxonomy of skills in their specific content area builds through the grades.
The second semester of the program aims to provide Learning Designers with the opportunity to see a range of learning environments across of variety of settings. In this semester designers spend two days a week for 6 weeks at a placement. They complete two school-based placements in this semester. Ideally, designers will be exposed to a school type and setting different to the one they experienced in the fall semester. The capstone project of this semester will require designers to complete a comparative analysis and critique of the design elements in the two learning environments. They will then present a case for design iteration in each environment.
Additionally, designers will have the opportunity to apply for one of five competive spots to be spend the semester with our partners abroad in Paris.
In the final semester in the program, Learning Designers will spend all five days a week carrying out their practicum at their site. For the capstone project of this semester participants will defend their design choices during a community roundtable comprised of: students, parents, faculty, and peers.
In the fall of their second year, Learning Designers will begin a year-long placement at their practicum site. During this semester participants will spend three-days a week at their placement in addition to completing complimentary coursework. The capstone project for this semester will be a research project where designers will gather data on a particular design element within their classroom placement.
Spring Year 2: Practicum
Fall Year 2: Deep Dive II
School-Based Placements
We've designed our school-based placement schedule to allow Learning Designers to experience a balance between a deep, rooted connection with a particular school and subject-area and the ability to see a range of learning environments in a variety of settings. Throughout the two years in the program participants are responsible for reflecting daily in an online design journal.
