Artifacts
In the STEP=UP Master's Degree Program, the use of "artifacts" is a key tool that we use to help our CPS Partners and our UIC students connect in their discussions.
An artifact is any object that has significance in terms of a student's understanding, an instructional opportunity, a pivotal learning moment, or the like. It could be anything from a piece of student work to a book used in a lesson or a tool or decoration from the classroom. Typically, CPS Partners select artifacts from their own classrooms, and relate those artifacts to their teaching.
When CPS Partners meet the UIC students at the Partner Connection, they model professional discussion by selecting an artifact and planning interaction about it. UIC Partners (our STEP=UP students) also learn to lead professional discussions as they present issues of practice from their coursework or field experiences to discuss with their colleagues and with CPS Partner teachers.
