Welcome to Foundations of Virtual Instruction! This course will help you 'up' your game and develop the advanced skills and techniques that elude even some of the most experienced virtual teachers in the K-12 space. Examine pitfalls and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the most significant impact on student learning in a blended or online environment.
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When you complete this course, you will be able to:
• Craft virtual learning experiences that align with your student's needs.
• Set up a learning environment to get to know your students, and they get to know each other.
• Use a variety of online tools to provide feedback and personalize the learning experience.
• Identify at-risk students and employ effective strategies for teaching them.
• Compare and contrast online and face-to-face learning communities.
• Apply strategies to make virtual courses more human.
Course 1 of 5 in the Virtual Teacher Specialization.
Syllabus
WEEK 1
History of Virtual Education
Welcome to the course! Begin by reading the Course Overview and familiarizing yourself with our course. This week we will explore the history of virtual education, as well as the different models of virtual education. Our guest speaker, Dr. O'Neal, will discuss the "Flipped Classroom" and how this pedagogy can enhance teaching and learning.
WEEK 2
Synchronous and Asynchronous Technologies
In week two, we will examine the features of synchronous and asynchronous technologies. Our guest speaker, Melissa Loble, will share how to select and leverage technology. She will also discuss how to best utilize social media to meet the needs of different learners.
WEEK 3
Transitioning from the Classroom to the Virtual Environment
This week we will examine the similarities and differences between teaching in the classroom and teaching online. Our guest speaker, Racquel Nedden, will discuss the benefits of online education for accommodating and meeting the needs of at-risk and special needs students. You will also have the opportunity to submit your assignment and evaluate three of your classmates' work.
WEEK 4
Equity and Access, Funding, and the Law
In week four, we will discuss virtual school funding options, the responsibility of online programs to consider equity and access, and the legal issues that virtual schools face. Our guest speaker, Chris Long, will explain the concept of QFT (Question, Formulation Technique) and explain why teaching students to formulate their own questions can increase students engagement and empower students to be life long learners.
WEEK 5
The Future of Virtual Education
In this last week of the course we'll consider the future of online education and how new technologies are changing the landscape of K-12 education.
