Cultures of Thinking in Action

Course Description:

During times of change, it is important to lean into our values.  Doing so helps us to remain grounded and true to our vision of what a quality education looks and feels like… even as we are buffeted by the unknown forces of change and thrust into new modes of instructional delivery.   

Building a classroom and school culture, whether online or at a distance, is more than merely instituting a set of practices.   As useful as practices like thinking routines, documentation, and effective questioning can be, culture runs deeper.  Culture is built on our values and beliefs and embedded in the messages we send. Thus, deep and lasting transformation must begin by embracing a set of beliefs about teaching, learning, and schooling.  In this mini-course, we will explore the 10 principles that we use in the Cultures of Thinking project to drive our action.  These principles motivate and guide our actions and provide the touchstones we need as we create places where thinking is valued, visible, and actively promoted.  As we do so, we will look at the research behind these principles and the actions and data that can be used to move us forward in whatever teaching and learning environment we find ourselves in. 

Course Logistics:

Team-based

The course is team-based. Registrants may register as teams (of 3 – 5 people) or as individuals and Project Zero will place them on a virtual team to work with others who have registered as individuals. We recommend that team participants work at the same school or organization; however, this is not a requirement. 

Participants in this online mini course should anticipate a time commitment of about 2-3 hours per week over the five weeks of the program. This online mini course is not linked to a degree program, and Harvard Graduate School of Education academic credit is not available. However, participants completing course assignments will receive a digital certificate representing 10 professional development hours, and IB educators receive Category 3 professional development credit.

Course Cost & Registration

The 4-week course is $179 for individuals registering as a team of 3 – 5 people or $209 for individuals registering to be placed on a virtual team. To register, complete this registration form.  Admission is on a first-come, first served basis. Enrollment is limited, and the course may fill before the registration deadline. 

Scholarships

This year, scholarships will cover 70% of the course tuition. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are for educators working at schools that meet PZ's scholarship eligibility guidelines:

• In the United States, public school educators working in schools with a free and reduced lunch rate of 25% or more OR educators working primarily with students who attend these schools.
• Outside of the United States, educators whose schools or organizations serve 25% or more students whose families meet the country-defined standard for low-income or who receive financial assistance to attend.

To be considered for a scholarship, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER until you complete the scholarship application, are approved, and receive a registration code from Project Zero. Scholarship acceptance notifications will be sent within 1-2 business days of receipt of a completed application. PZ is unable to provide refunds (for the amount of the scholarship) if scholarship applicants register/pay first and then apply for/receive a scholarship. 

If you have received a PZ Scholarship for previous offerings:

If you have received a scholarship from Project Zero in the past, you do not need to complete the application. Please email pzlearn@gse.harvard.edu with the subject: Previous PZ Scholarship Recipient and include your name, the PZ offering for which you received the scholarships, organization and any team members (if you are registering as a team) who have also received past PZ scholarships. We will respond with the code for your registration.

Scholarship Application

Group Discounts

Group discounts are available for 10% off the price of the course for groups of individuals (10 or more) wishing to register as a set of teams.

To request a group discount code unique to your organization, please email pzlearn@gse.harvard.edu.

Unfortunately, PZ is not able to process refunds of the discount amount for requests for additional members to be added to a group of current registrants with less than 10 members who then wish to qualify as a group of 10 or more after the initial registration.

Substitutions for Registered Participants

Substitutions for registered participants, including those registered for a group, will be made only on a limited basis, and for significant, qualifying events (e.g. death in the family, serious illness, etc.). In the case of a significant, qualifying event, requests for substitutions must be made in writing, via email topzlearn@gse.harvard.edu. No substitutions will be made 7 business days or less prior to the launch of the course.

Refund Policy

Refunds for the course tuition will be processed up to 7 business days prior to the course start date. A 5% processing fee will be subtracted from the amount of the paid workshop fee. PZ is unable to process refunds with less than 5 business days’ notice.

Certificates of Participation

Participants will receive certificates of participation documenting the 10 hours of professional learning upon their completion of course requirements. Certificates will be emailed to participants who complete the full course approximately 4-6 weeks after the course ends.

Other questions? Please contact PZ mini-course administrative team at pzlearn@gse.harvard.edu.