Module 5

Technology-related best practices for all students and teachers (February 1-7, 2016)

Course Objectives:

1. Model and promote strategies for achieving equitable access to digital tools and resources and technology-related best practices for all students and teachers (ISTE 5a)

Module Objectives:

1. Read and reflect on one online learning theory.  
2. Participate in an online module in an LMS in order to understand the tenets and models of blended learning.  

1) Online learning has now been around for a few decades.  Because of that, online learning theory has developed.  This week, you will read about the Community of Inquiry framework, which is a theory of online learning that came out of the study of many courses over time.  Throughout this study, three "presences" were identified that contribute to a quality online educational experience.  Why is this important to you, who are most likely teachers in traditional courses?  Well, for one, you are taking an online class.  But, more importantly, online learning has been successful in meeting students' individual learning needs, so it has been making its way into traditional class environments via blended learning (more on that in our activity this week).  

Read the article "Teaching in an Online Context" posted to Blackboard under "Documents."  Write Reflective Post 5, which should include one summary paragraph and one reflection paragraph.  
  
2) For Activity #5, you will be participating in a blended module (what would be blended if we were using it within a face-to-face course) on blended learning.  To do this, we will be using the Learning Management System, Schoology.  If you do not have a Schoology account, please sign up for you now.  Then, join out course on Schoology using this access code: 8G7TK-GWHVG.  Schoology is similar to Blackboard, but more often used in K-12 environments.  To get your points for Activity #5, please complete the blended module in Schoology.  You will see that this is a very personalized module, so you will need to set your own goals, plan your learning, and decide for yourself how to present what you learn.  You will need at least a few hours to complete this, so plan accordingly.