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Racquel Stephens

Welcome to Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom! This course will help you apply strategies to the critical areas of K-12 virtual instruction to significantly impact virtual education. We will examine the pitfalls beginning teachers run into and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the greatest impact on student learning in a blended or online environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to empower your students to be voracious learners who are ready to go out and make the world a better place to live.

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Welcome to Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom! This course will help you apply strategies to the critical areas of K-12 virtual instruction to significantly impact virtual education. We will examine the pitfalls beginning teachers run into and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the greatest impact on student learning in a blended or online environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to empower your students to be voracious learners who are ready to go out and make the world a better place to live.

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the role of direct instruction within a virtual course.

• Establish direct communication and meaningful relationships with your students. 

• Use instructional strategies that motivate and challenge your students to think more critically.

• Define at-risk students and examine effective strategies for teaching this demographic.

• Build an inclusive and thriving online community with students, parents, and other teaching professionals.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1
Welcome to Module1, Direct Instruction. This module takes a look at direct instruction in the virtual classroom. First, we’ll examine the role and function of direct instruction in a virtual setting. Next, we’ll discuss several tools that support direct instruction. After that, we’ll learn several strategies for planning and delivering a live student learning experience. And finally, we’ll discuss teacher-created vs. externally-created content.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores virtual instruction from the ground up, providing a foundation for new teachers in virtual learning environments
Focuses on practical strategies and techniques for enhancing student learning in virtual environments
Examines effective strategies for teaching at-risk students in a virtual setting
Provides guidance on creating a supportive and inclusive online community for students, parents, and educators
Suitable for K-12 teachers who are new to virtual instruction or seeking to enhance their skills
Does not provide in-depth coverage of advanced virtual instruction techniques or emerging technologies

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Reviews summary

Practical strategies for virtual k-12 instruction

According to learners, this course on Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom offers practical strategies for K-12 virtual instruction that many found directly applicable to their teaching roles. Students appreciated the focus on building student relationships and community online, a critical aspect of virtual learning. While many felt the course provided a useful framework and was highly relevant, some experienced educators felt the content was too foundational and lacked depth on advanced topics or specific technologies. A few mentioned potential issues with pacing or outdated examples, but overall, it's considered a valuable resource, particularly for those new to or looking to refine their virtual teaching approach.
Good foundation, but potentially basic for experienced teachers.
"As someone experienced in virtual teaching, some parts felt like a review of the basics."
"Provides a solid foundation, but I hoped for more depth on advanced topics or specific LMS features."
"Excellent for beginners or those transitioning from face-to-face, maybe less so for veterans."
"While comprehensive in scope, deeper dives into certain instructional technologies would be helpful."
Provides a strong structure for planning virtual lessons.
"The course structure and framework helped me rethink how I design my virtual classes."
"Gave me a clear model to follow when planning assignments and assessments."
"A really useful way to organize thinking around effective online instruction."
"I found the overall approach to module design very helpful for my own planning."
Emphasizes building connection and community online.
"Loved the module on communication and building relationships. This is so crucial online."
"The ideas for fostering community among students and parents were invaluable."
"It's not just about delivery methods; the course highlights the human element effectively."
"I appreciate the emphasis on connecting with students in a virtual setting."
Offers actionable tactics for K-12 virtual teaching.
"I was able to immediately apply many of the techniques discussed to my virtual classroom. Very practical!"
"The strategies for direct instruction and engagement are exactly what I needed. Highly relevant."
"This course gave me concrete tools and approaches to improve my online teaching effectiveness."
"Provides practical guidance for teachers navigating the challenges of virtual learning environments."
Some parts felt rushed, others slow or redundant.
"Felt like some modules covered a lot very quickly, while others lingered too long."
"There was some repetition of concepts across different modules."
"The flow wasn't always smooth, could benefit from better transitions between topics."
"A few sections could be condensed or expanded for better pacing."

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 Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom with these activities:
Read 'The Art of Data Visualization'
Gain insights into the principles and best practices of data visualization to supplement your learning in this course.
Show steps
Follow tutorials on advanced data visualization techniques
Expand your knowledge and skills by following tutorials on advanced data visualization techniques and tools to enhance your understanding of the subject.
Browse courses on Data Visualization Tools
Show steps
  • Identify reputable resources or online courses offering tutorials.
  • Select tutorials that align with your learning goals.
  • Work through the tutorials, practicing the techniques and applying them to your own projects.
Attend a virtual study group
Join a virtual study group to discuss course concepts, share insights, and learn from others.
Show steps
  • Find or create a virtual study group with like-minded learners.
  • Actively participate in discussions and share your perspectives.
  • Collaborate on assignments and projects.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create practice visualizations
Create visual representations of data to reinforce your understanding of data visualization techniques covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Gather and clean data from a reliable source.
  • Choose an appropriate data visualization tool.
  • Design and create your visualization, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
  • Share your visualization with others for feedback.
Write a blog post about data visualization
Create a written piece to share your knowledge and insights on data visualization, reinforcing your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic or aspect of data visualization to focus on.
  • Research and gather information from credible sources.
  • Write a well-structured and engaging blog post.
  • Publish and promote your blog post to reach a wider audience.
Build an interactive dashboard
Develop an interactive dashboard to demonstrate your understanding of data visualization and its practical applications.
Browse courses on Dashboard Development
Show steps
  • Define the purpose and target audience for your dashboard.
  • Gather and prepare relevant data.
  • Design and develop your dashboard using appropriate tools.
  • Test and refine your dashboard to ensure usability and effectiveness.

Career center

Learners who complete Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designers are responsible for planning, developing, and evaluating instructional materials and programs. They work with teachers, students, and other stakeholders to create learning experiences that are effective and engaging.
Educational Consultant
Educational Consultants provide advice and guidance to schools and other educational organizations on a variety of topics, including curriculum development, instructional strategies, and assessment.
Curriculum Developer
Curriculum Developers are responsible for creating and developing curriculum materials for use in schools and other educational settings. They work with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders to ensure that curriculum is aligned with state and national standards.
Instructional Technology Specialist
Instructional Technology Specialists provide support and training to teachers and students on the use of technology in the classroom.
Teacher
Teachers plan, deliver, and assess instruction to students in a variety of settings. They work with students to create a positive and supportive learning environment.
eLearning Specialist
eLearning Specialists develop, implement, and evaluate online learning programs. They work with instructional designers, teachers, and other stakeholders to create online learning experiences that are effective and engaging.
Education Director
Education Directors oversee the educational programs and services of an organization. They work with teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders to develop and implement educational policies.
Training Manager
Training Managers oversee the development and implementation of training programs for employees. They work with trainers, managers, and other stakeholders to identify training needs and develop training materials.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources functions of an organization, including recruiting, hiring, training, and employee development.
Organizational Development Specialist
Organizational Development Specialists help organizations improve their performance by developing and implementing organizational change initiatives.
Education Writer
Education Writers create content for a variety of educational purposes, including textbooks, curriculum materials, and online learning programs.
Librarian
Librarians provide access to information and resources to patrons in a variety of settings, including schools, public libraries, and corporate libraries.
Archivist
Archivists are responsible for preserving and managing historical records and documents.
Records Manager
Records Managers are responsible for managing the creation, storage, and disposal of records.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom.
A classic in the field of online education. Provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities of teaching in an online environment.
Provides a step-by-step framework for designing and implementing effective virtual classrooms. It provides strategies for overcoming common challenges, fostering student engagement, and incorporating technology into your teaching.
Provides a comprehensive overview of virtual learning environments, covering topics such as the history of virtual learning, the different types of virtual learning environments, and the benefits and challenges of virtual learning.
An updated and expanded edition of a popular text on online course design. Includes chapters on learner-centered design, online facilitation, and assessment.
Explores how to build social learning experiences into your virtual classroom. It has proven strategies for teaching online, including online discussion forums, peer feedback, and collaborative projects.
An extensive reference work on the research and theory behind online learning. Includes chapters on topics such as learner motivation, instructional design, and assessment.
Provides a comprehensive overview of blended learning, including its benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies. It covers topics such as course design, instructional strategies, and assessment.
Provides a comprehensive guide for teachers on how to create and deliver effective online courses. It covers topics such as course design, instructional strategies, and assessment.
Provides a practical guide for higher education teachers on how to design, develop, and deliver effective online courses. It covers topics such as course design, instructional strategies, and assessment.
Provides a practical guide to teaching and learning online, covering topics such as course design, instructional strategies, and assessment.
Provides a comprehensive overview of online teaching for faculty. It covers topics such as the different types of online courses, the different pedagogical approaches that can be used in online courses, and how to create effective learning experiences for students.
Provides a practical guide to online teaching. It covers topics such as how to create engaging learning activities, how to use technology effectively, and how to assess student learning.

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