Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning
Brittany Bowens serves the K20 Educational and Community Center as a Science Online Learning Writer. Bowens and the fellow instructional design team work to develop high-quality science curriculum for K12 schools that can be used in a face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online platforms that support the mission of the K20 Center and its projects. Bowens also develops science lessons aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards that is accessible for implementation by any teacher. Her mission is to cultivate the love of learning and encourage creativity, compassion, and innovation.
Participants in this professional learning session explore a coaching model that involves cycles of joint planning, action and practice, observation, reflection, and feedback. Coaching is key to improving teachers' instruction and translating knowledge into practice, so instructional coaches should... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: November 7th, 2025
This professional development session equips instructional coaches with the necessary strategies to build strong, trusting relationships with their teachers. This session emphasizes relationship building using communication like active listening and constructive conversation. Instructional coaches will... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: October 30th, 2025
In this lesson, students will learn about paleontologists who have helped shape our understanding of organisms’ evolutionary history. They will research and evaluate evidence that scientists have used to construct and continually use to reconstruct evolutionary history and environmental pressures that... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: November 14th, 2025
The Principals of Evolution
The final and most transformative stage of the instructional Coaching Cycle is the Reflection stage. It involves recurring contemplation with the goal of enhancing teaching approaches. In this stage, participants connect new knowledge to their decision-making process. Teachers assess whether the goals... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: September 17th, 2025
The observation stage of the coaching cycle provides the instructional coach with an opportunity to observe the agreed-upon learning activity from the goal-setting stage. The coach evaluates progress made toward the goal and determines recommendations for improvement. The teacher facilitates the observation... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: September 17th, 2025
During this phase of the coaching cycle, the instructional coach will set a time to meet with the teacher, review the components of authenticity, assist in setting long-term and short-term goals, and determine the necessary steps to pursue those goals. Together, the coach and teacher will choose an... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: October 17th, 2025
In this activity, students will explore how AI can serve as a personalized tutor to support their learning in challenging subject areas. Students will also create their own tutoring prompts and practice using prompts developed by their peers to enhance understanding and collaboration. Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: August 26th, 2025
In this activity, students will explore the ethical use of AI by examining responsible practices, potential biases, and privacy concerns. They will engage in discussions and activities that help them understand the impact of AI on academic work and their personal responsibility while using it. The goal... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: August 14th, 2025
This collaborative strategy encourages students to teach and learn from each other, which fosters deeper understanding, strong communication skills, and a supportive learning environment. Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
July 31st, 2025
In this professional development session, teachers will explore how AI tools can function as personalized tutors to support student learning. They will learn to create effective tutoring prompts that guide students in asking meaningful questions and engaging with content independently. Teachers will... Read more »
Created by: Brittany Bowens
Date Updated: July 22nd, 2025
