Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom from Coursera

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.

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.

Module 2

Welcome to Module 2, Communication and Building Relationships. In this module, we’ll explore how communication and relationship-building are in many ways similar in both face-to-face and virtual environments—and at the same time different.

Module 3

Welcome to Module 3, Assignments and Assessments in the Virtual Classroom. This module explores various types of assignments and assessments that can be used in the virtual classroom. It discusses strategies for developing effective assignments and assessments and looks at various instructional approaches and educational tools. The module starts with a discussion of the types of items available in most learning management systems, continues with a look at how this relates to student motivation and performance, and ends with a discussion of various tools and strategies for making instructional design effective in a virtual environment.

Module 4

Welcome to Module 4, At-Risk and Underperforming Students. This module explores how students who are at risk or are underperforming can engage effectively in virtual learning environments so they can move their learning forward.

Module 5

Welcome to Module 5, Your Best Defense is a Good Community. This module focuses on building robust, inclusive learning communities, which is in many ways similar to the customary start-of-the-year activities that take place in traditional schools. These activities include rallies, assemblies, get-to-know-you activities, and back-to-school nights.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Reviews summary

Advanced pedagogy for virtual classroom

Learners say this course on instructional strategies in a virtual classroom is largely well received with practical applications. It is an engaging course with valuable content and instructors are knowledgeable. However, there is feedback that the instructors may lack experience and there is an overuse of videos.

The course is described as engaging.

"a lot of examples and information to understand the topics of each lesson"

Instructors are described as knowledgeable.

Learners found the course to be valuable.

"I really learned a lot from this course"

"there is some relevant and important content"

The course is practical, with strategies that learners can implement in their classrooms.

"how to put them in practice"

Instructors may lack experience teaching online.

"The instructor does not have a wealth of experience as a facilitator"

There are too many videos in the course.

"an overabundance of videos to impart his message"

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'

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Gain insights into the principles and best practices of data visualization to supplement your learning in this course.

View The Art of Insight: How Great Visualization... on Amazon

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Follow tutorials on advanced data visualization techniques

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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

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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

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Join a virtual study group to discuss course concepts, share insights, and learn from others.

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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

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Create practice visualizations

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Create visual representations of data to reinforce your understanding of data visualization techniques covered in the course.

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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

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Create a written piece to share your knowledge and insights on data visualization, reinforcing your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

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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

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Develop an interactive dashboard to demonstrate your understanding of data visualization and its practical applications.

Browse courses on Dashboard Development

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

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.

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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.

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Instructional Technology Specialist

Instructional Technology Specialists provide support and training to teachers and students on the use of technology in the classroom.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources functions of an organization, including recruiting, hiring, training, and employee development.

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Organizational Development Specialist

Organizational Development Specialists help organizations improve their performance by developing and implementing organizational change initiatives.

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Education Writer

Education Writers create content for a variety of educational purposes, including textbooks, curriculum materials, and online learning programs.

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Librarian

Librarians provide access to information and resources to patrons in a variety of settings, including schools, public libraries, and corporate libraries.

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Archivist

Archivists are responsible for preserving and managing historical records and documents.

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Records Manager

Records Managers are responsible for managing the creation, storage, and disposal of records.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make informed decisions.

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