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Knowledge Network for Innovations in Learning and Teaching (KNILT)
There is a growing demand for schools to produce a citizenry with 21st century capabilities. Among these 21st century capabilities, the ability of collaborative problem solving and knowledge creation is paramount. In response to this demand, dozens of innovative learning programs have emerged, with a shared focus on engaging students as active agents of knowledge construction instead of only consumers of knowledge. Some examples include: Teaching for Understanding (Perkins & Blythe, 1994), Project-Based Science (Krajcik & Blumenfeld, 2006), Knowledge Building/Knowledge Forum (Scardamalia & Bereiter, 1999), Knowledge Integration and WISE (Linn et al., 2003), etc. Technology provides strong support in the implementations of these programs.
The "Knowledge Network for Innovations in Learning and Teaching (KNILT)" project represents the collective work of the graduate classes taught by Dr. Jianwei Zhang at the University at Albany, including ETAP 623 Systematic Design of Instruction, ETAP 687/887 Knowledge Media for Creative Learning. Our goal is to use our knowledge of instructional design and learning technology to produce a suite of professional development resources, represented as a Wiki site, that can help teachers of different levels to understand new learning approaches and environments and work towards innovative classroom practices. Most of the class members are in-service/pre-service teachers or educational/training professionals. Drawing on the open nature of wiki, we have a long-term goal to extend this network to a broader community of teachers and involve them as both users and contributors. They can learn from these research-based resources and further contribute their ideas, questions, classroom design cases, experimentations, and reflections on the barriers and advances, so that they can become an important part of the innovation processes. Deep, sustainable learning innovation relies on the bottom-up innovativeness of school teachers. We may name such a role as "grassroot innovators". Nurturing and supporting teacher learning, collaboration, and innovation is central to our pursuit.
About Us
The Knowledge Network for Innovations in Learning and Teaching (KNILT) is collectively initiated and developed by members of the ETAP 623 (Systematic Design of Instruction) and ETAP 887/687 (Knowledge Media for Creative Learning) classes at School of Education, University at Albany - SUNY. As a community, we are deeply interested in transforming and improving schools through the design and application of innovative learning environments.
Current Classes
Class members, please use the following links to go to your class' homepage.
- Class homepage ETAP 623 Fall 2009: Systematic Design of Instruction
!!! Please register with you real name as your username. You cannot login till your registration request has been reviewed/approved.
Existing Mini-Courses and Case Studies
Here are a few examples of the mini-courses
- Thomas Cutonilli: Simulations for Inquiry Course
- Abigail Moskovits: Effective Questioning in the Classroom
- Tammy Clark: Using Cognitive Flexibility Theory to Teach History
- Anne Canale Stalnecker: Facilitating Effective Online Discourse
- Allison Hubbs: Creating Authentic Assessment
- Cheyenne Whirley: Digital Storytelling Course
Please check Index by subject or Index by class for a full list of the mini-courses and instructional case reports.
Have a Comment or Suggestion?
If you have any comment or suggestion regarding how to better organize this collective initiative or opportunities for teachers to participate and benefit, please go to: Talk:Comments and Suggestions for KNILT.
Resources for Graduate Students
This network is maintained by the Technology and Collaborative Creativity in Learning (TaCCL) Lab University at Albany, SUNY
