Teaching for Transfer: A Guide for Designing Learning with Real-World Application (a Guide to Instructional Strategies That Build Transferable Skills in K-12 Students)

Empower students to become creative, well-rounded citizens who are prepared to meet and overcome real-world challenges. With Teaching for Transfer, you ll discover a road map for reconfiguring K-12 classroom instruction to ensure learners can expertly apply their knowledge and skills to new contexts. The resource includes ample practices and protocols you can begin using today to cultivate essential transfer-level skills in students.

Use this resource to introduce students to varied perspectives and instances of perplexity:

• Study the three levels of complexity: (1) surface, (2) deep, and (3) transfer.
• Understand how foundational knowledge and skills can be leveraged to create transfer-level learning experiences and increase student engagement and problem-solving skills.
• Learn specific teaching strategies and protocols for incorporating perspective and perplexity in the classroom to mimic real-world challenges.
• Use end-of-chapter reflection questions individually and collaboratively, with other teachers, to build students' transferable skills.

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
About the Author
Foreword by Jay McTighe
Introduction
Chapter 1: Laying Foundations: Building Surface-and-Deep Networks
Chapter 2: Moving Beyond Foundations: Building Transfer Networks
Chapter 3: Introducing Change in the Learning Experience: Leveraging Perspective and Perplexity
Chapter 4: Engaging Students in Transfer-Level Learning
Chapter 5: Integrating Transfer Into Our Teaching and Learning Practices
Epilogue
Afterword by Tammy Heflebower
Appendix A: Resources for Foundational Learning
Appendix B: Resources for Transfer-Network Development
Appendix C: Resources for Engagement in Transfer-Level Work
References and Resources
Index

Michael McDowell, EdD, serves as the superintendent of the Ross School District in Ross, California. During his tenure, the Ross School District has progressed to the top of California districts regarding student connectedness and well-being, as well as the top tier of districts in academic achievement and growth. The Ross School District has also emerged as a hub for innovation, creating more than sixty-five different electives--from virtual game design to broadcast journalism--sponsoring the first TEDxYouth event in the Bay Area, and establishing a service-learning and community-engagement program for all students to serve the local and global community.

Prior to serving as a superintendent, Dr. McDowell served as an associate superintendent of instructional and personnel services and as a high school principal of a Title I and California Distinguished School. Before entering administration, he was a leadership and instructional coach, consulting with schools, districts, higher educational institutions, and state departments on educational leadership, teaching leadership, and instruction. Additionally, Dr. McDowell has several years of teaching experience in middle and high school science and mathematics.

Dr. McDowell serves as the chair of the advisory board for One Percent of Education, facilitating leading experts in shaping a national narrative for advancing public education. Additionally, he serves on the School of Environmental Leadership board, tasked with scaling innovation in secondary school environments. Dr. McDowell teaches graduate courses at San Francisco State University to aspiring educational leaders. Furthermore, he is CEO of Hinge Education, LLC, supporting professional learning in educational systems around the world. He is an international presenter, speaking on instruction, learning, leadership, and innovation. He is a consultant, providing services in problem- and project-based learning, teaching and learning, and systems and site leadership.