Foundations of Virtual Instruction from Coursera

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. 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.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1

Welcome to Module 1, The History of Virtual Instruction. In this module, we will explore the history of virtual education and the different models of virtual instruction for K-12 students.

Module 2

Welcome to Module 2, Synchronous and Asynchronous Technologies. This module begins with the definitions of asynchronous learning and synchronous learning and then continues with a look at tools and technologies appropriate for each. These are the two main modes for conducting online courses and as such are among the most important concepts in the world of virtual instruction.

Module 3

Welcome to Module 3, Transitioning from the Classroom to the Virtual Environment. Thus far, we have examined the roots of virtual instruction and the technology available for use in synchronous and asynchronous online learning. In this module, you will consider transitioning from the traditional classroom to a virtual setting. We will also explore the facilitation of instruction in an online course, the changing field of curriculum development, and the role of outside vendors. While reviewing this information, keep in mind that the purpose is to introduce you to some best practices and methods to consider when teaching online, not to master these practices yet.

Module 4

Welcome to Module 4, Equity and Access, Funding, and the Law. This module introduces funding, equity and access, and legal considerations that virtual teachers must keep in mind. The content in this module is geared toward what is current and relevant in the United States, however, the information may be useful and applicable internationally as well. As you review content in these three areas, reflect on the virtual teacher’s role in each area and particularly your current or future role as a virtual instructor.

Module 5

Welcome to Module 5, The Future of Virtual Education. Congratulations, you’ve arrived at the final module in your first course for certification in virtual instruction. We began this course by examining the history of online learning and the roots of virtual instruction. We then looked at different program models, tools of synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning, what it takes to transition from the brick and mortar classroom to the virtual classroom, and issues associated with school funding, equity and access, and other legal considerations. For our final topic, we will consider the future of K-12 virtual instruction and reflect on the material covered previously in this course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Helps online instructors develop skills and techniques to improve their craft

Instructors gain familiarity with asynchronous and synchronous learning

Covers the basics of online facilitation, curriculum development, and student engagement

Reviews summary

Virtual learning foundations

Learners say this course is largely positive and helps enhance skills for virtual instruction. It covers a wide range of essential topics, from the basic terminologies and legal considerations to the use of virtual teaching tools and strategies. The course is well-organized and informative, but heavily reliant on readings and may feel dry for some learners who prefer more interactive content. With its focus on foundational knowledge and support materials, this course is recommended for both new and experienced virtual educators looking to strengthen their understanding of best practices.

Discusses legal considerations related to virtual instruction, particularly in the US context.

"A well-organized and informative course in a range of topics of Virtual Learning and Teaching with reference to American Education. Five stars goes to methodological information about curriculum design as well as education policy."

Course content is well-organized and presented in a logical manner.

"This course is well-organized and informative, but heavily reliant on readings and may feel dry for some learners who prefer more interactive content."

Provides a clear understanding of essential terminologies used in virtual instruction.

"It really gave me the opportunity to understand the terminologies, legalities and a lot more"

Provides a wealth of informative content on virtual instruction best practices.

"I got the opportunity to learn a lot through this course, its really a lot beneficial than I imagined.Thanks to coursera."

Covers a wide range of topics, including terminologies, legal considerations, virtual teaching tools and strategies.

"It helped me to get a clear idea about the various types of LMS/ VLE tools that we can employ for delivering our lectures more efficiently which could benefit the learning of our students more effectively."

Introduces learners to a variety of virtual teaching tools and their applications.

"It also covers different ways to present information, such as through videos, simulations, and interactive exercises, and provides examples of how to use these tools in the context of online learning."

Shares practical strategies for effective virtual instruction.

"The course addressed the fundamentals of Virtual Instruction in a very excellent manner. It helped me to get a clear idea about the various types of LMS/ VLE tools that we can employ for delivering our lectures more efficiently which could benefit the learning of our students more effectively."

Relies heavily on readings, which may not appeal to all learners.

"For a virtual instruction course its too textual and does not use any virtual tools or videos"

Has a strong focus on the US virtual instruction context, which may not be relevant to all learners.

"It's way too focused on US legislation, which sound completely unuseful for students abroad and provided little to no value at all."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of Virtual Instruction with these activities:

Review of Synchronous Facilitation

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Reviewing core principles of synchronous virtual teaching can help you refresh your approach and make the most of the synchronous sessions in this course.

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Examine materials and resources on synchronous virtual instruction.
Attend a webinar or workshop on synchronous facilitation.
Lead a mock synchronous session with a colleague or mentor.

Developing Engaging Discussion Forums

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Engaging discussion forums are essential for fostering student interaction and collaboration in virtual learning. Practicing their development will enhance your ability to create meaningful and productive discussions.

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Review best practices and guidelines for designing online discussions.
Facilitate a mock discussion forum with colleagues or students, simulating real-world scenarios.
Collect and analyze feedback to improve the effectiveness of your discussion forums.

Practice Using Virtual Classroom Tools

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Increase familiarity with virtual tools by practicing on a test platform.

Browse courses on Online Tools

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Set up a test virtual classroom using the tools from the course.
Practice using the tools to create and manage content.

Eight other activities

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Creating Online Quizzes and Assessments

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By practicing the creation of online quizzes and assessments, you can strengthen your ability to effectively evaluate student learning in a virtual environment.

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Utilize online tools or platforms to create practice quizzes.
Analyze various types of online assessments, such as multiple-choice, open-ended, and performance-based.
Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors on the effectiveness of your assessments

Engage in Discussion Forums

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Improve your understanding through active participation in discussion forums.

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Ask Thought-Provoking Questions
Respond to Peers' Posts
Summarize Key Points

Develop a Virtual Lesson Plan

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Begin applying the concepts of virtual instruction by creating a lesson plan for an online class.

Browse courses on Lesson Planning

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Choose a topic for your lesson.
Determine the learning objectives for your lesson.
Develop activities and assessments for your lesson.

Explore Moodle Plugins

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Enhance your Moodle experience by exploring and utilizing available plugins.

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Identify Useful Moodle Plugins
Install and Configure Plugins
Evaluate Plugin Effectiveness

Participate in Moodle Challenges

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Challenge yourself and showcase your Moodle skills by participating in competitions or hackathons.

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Find Relevant Moodle Challenges
Team Up with Others
Submit Your Moodle Project

Contribute to Moodle Community

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Make a meaningful contribution to the Moodle community by volunteering your time and expertise.

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Identify Volunteer Opportunities
Participate in Community Events
Share Your Moodle Knowledge

Create a Video Tutorial

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Deepen understanding of a concept by creating a video tutorial for other students.

Browse courses on Video Creation

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Choose a topic for your tutorial.
Develop a script for your tutorial.
Record and edit your tutorial.

Develop Moodle Training Materials

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Create valuable resources for the Moodle community by developing training materials or documentation.

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Identify a Training Need
Create Moodle Training Content
Share Your Training Materials

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Virtual Instruction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Instructional Coordinator

Instructional Coordinators plan, develop, and implement educational programs and curricula. They collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to ensure that students receive a high-quality education. This course can help you build a foundation in virtual instruction, which is increasingly becoming a popular delivery method for education. You will learn how to use online tools and technologies to create engaging and effective learning experiences for students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Coordinator

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers design and develop educational materials and programs. They work with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure that students have access to high-quality learning experiences. This course can help you learn how to develop virtual learning experiences that are aligned with your students' needs. You will also learn how to use a variety of online tools and technologies to create engaging and effective learning materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers design and develop learning experiences for students. They work with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure that students have access to high-quality learning experiences. This course can help you build a foundation in virtual instruction, which is increasingly becoming a popular delivery method for education. You will learn how to use online tools and technologies to create engaging and effective learning experiences for students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Online Teacher

Online Teachers teach students using online tools and technologies. They work with students from all over the world, providing them with a flexible and convenient way to learn. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Online Teacher. You will learn how to use online tools and technologies to create engaging and effective learning experiences for students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Online Teacher

Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants provide guidance and support to schools and other educational organizations. They help to improve teaching and learning practices, develop curricula, and implement new educational programs. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Consultant. You will learn how to assess the needs of schools and other educational organizations, develop and implement improvement plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs.

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Educational Technology Specialist

Educational Technology Specialists work with teachers and other stakeholders to integrate technology into the classroom. They provide training and support to teachers, helping them to use technology to improve teaching and learning. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Technology Specialist. You will learn how to use a variety of online tools and technologies to create and deliver online learning experiences.

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Learning Management System Administrator

Learning Management System Administrators manage and maintain learning management systems (LMSs). They work with teachers, students, and other stakeholders to ensure that the LMS is running smoothly and that users have access to the resources they need. This course can help you learn how to manage and maintain an LMS. You will also learn how to use a variety of online tools and technologies to create and deliver online learning experiences.

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Instructional Coach

Instructional Coaches work with teachers to improve teaching and learning practices. They provide support and guidance to teachers, helping them to develop and implement effective instructional strategies. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Instructional Coach. You will learn how to assess the needs of teachers, develop and implement coaching plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of coaching interventions.

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Higher Education Administrator

Higher Education Administrators oversee the operation of colleges and universities. They work with faculty, students, staff, and other stakeholders to ensure that the institution is running smoothly and that students are receiving a high-quality education. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Higher Education Administrator. You will learn how to manage a higher education budget, develop and implement higher education policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of higher education programs.

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School Administrator

School Administrators oversee the operation of schools. They work with teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure that the school is running smoothly and that students are receiving a high-quality education. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective School Administrator. You will learn how to manage a school budget, develop and implement school policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of school programs.

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K-12 Teacher

K-12 Teachers teach students from kindergarten through 12th grade. They work with students to develop their academic, social, and emotional skills. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective K-12 Teacher. You will learn how to create and deliver engaging and effective lessons, manage a classroom, and assess student learning.

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Principal

Principals oversee the operation of schools. They work with teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure that the school is running smoothly and that students are receiving a high-quality education. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Principal. You will learn how to manage a school budget, develop and implement school policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of school programs.

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Superintendent

Superintendents oversee the operation of school districts. They work with school boards, teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure that the district is running smoothly and that students are receiving a high-quality education. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Superintendent. You will learn how to manage a school district budget, develop and implement school district policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of school district programs.

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School Counselor

School Counselors work with students to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They provide counseling services to students, parents, and teachers. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective School Counselor. You will learn how to provide counseling services to students, parents, and teachers, develop and implement counseling programs, and evaluate the effectiveness of counseling interventions.

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Education Policy Analyst

Education Policy Analysts research and analyze education policies. They work with policymakers to develop and implement policies that improve the quality of education. This course can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Education Policy Analyst. You will learn how to research and analyze education policies, develop and implement policy recommendations, and evaluate the effectiveness of education policies.

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