Learning to Teach Online from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Why is Online Teaching Important + Open and Institutionally Supported Technologies

'Module 1: Why is Online Teaching Important' is about understanding where you are in the current educational landscape, and determining where you want to be. We will explore why online teaching is relevant to your teaching practice, and you’ll have an opportunity to reflect upon the opportunities and challenges you face in your own context. 'Module 2: Open and Institutionally Supported Technologies' focuses on helping you understand the benefits and restrictions of both broad categories of technologies. We’re all familiar with different social media technologies, and many of us will be aware of larger institutional online learning systems. In this module we will ask you to think about the reasons why you might want to use freely available online tools for your teaching - or your institution's learning management system. Important considerations such as which types of technologies are suitable for a range of different activities will also be explored.

Planning Online Learning + Online Learning Activities

'Module 3: Planning Online Learning' will explore the importance of planning online learning from a pedagogical perspective rather than a technology driven one. Careful planning is one of the most important aspects of teaching online, and success often depends upon taking the time to consider all of the different aspects of the online learning experience before you begin. The content and activities will explore the concepts of constructive alignment, choosing which aspects of a class are best done online or face-to-face, building digital literacy capabilities within your students, and examining your own motivations for wanting to teach online in the first place. 'Module 4: Online Learning Activities' will identify important considerations you need to keep in mind when developing online learning activities for your students. We will offer advice about how to plan an online activity, and help you think about which may be appropriate for your own students. When you are new to the process, understanding which online technology best supports different learning activities can be daunting. This module, along with a range of case studies, and activities, will explore the relationship between different technologies and specific activities in more depth.

Online Assessment Strategies + Online Resources

'Module 5: Online Assessment Strategies' discusses the notions of formative and summative assessment in online contexts. We will also explore benefits and considerations that you'll need to keep in mind if you're considering adopting an online assessment strategy in your own teaching, and how using technology can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the assessment process. 'Module 6: Online Resources' discusses the benefits of using open educational resources (OER), and other online resources in your classes. We will also identify issues to be aware of when using resources that you discover, in terms of licensing and Creative Commons. You will be given the chance to explore several examples of online resources via the activities and associated resources for the module. How to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of resources you find online is also explored.

Engaging and Motivating Students + Evaluation Strategies

'Module 7: Engaging and Motivating Students' explores various strategies for engaging and motivating your students in a range of different online learning scenarios. It discusses the important roles that curriculum design, activity structure, the relevance of the chosen technology, and effective time management play in creating an enthusiasm for learning in your students. 'Module 8: Evaluation Strategies' examines the importance of evaluating your online teaching practice to ensure that it is effective, and to give you an opportunity to constantly improve. This is especially important when you are first developing an online teaching practice, or when you are trying something new for the first time. We will explore an evaluation strategy based upon four reflective angles: self reflection, peer observations, student feedback, and theory. The module also introduces the concept of learning analytics as an informative tool to enable up to the minute evaluation of your online class.

Question and Answers

Simon and Negin answered the top questions asked of them in previously run versions of this course via video. Although from previous courses, the questions raised and the discussions that follow, are very relevant, and they may answer some questions that you have about the course. In the videos Simon and Negin, did reference learners' names and the week in the course, but this is not important in this version of the course. These Q&A videos have been collated according to their relevance to the Modules of the course.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on incorporating technology into your lessons, helping you improve your teaching practices

Created by educators with extensive experience using online technologies

Provides guidance on using technology effectively for teaching, without a one-size-fits-all approach

Equips you with strategies for planning and designing effective online learning activities

Covers various online assessment strategies and their benefits

Demonstrates ways to use open and online resources in your classes

Reviews summary

Effective online teaching

Learners say "Learning to Teach Online" is a highly rated online course that provides educators with practical and relevant strategies for improving their online teaching skills. It covers a wide range of topics, including lesson planning, assessment, and engagement strategies, and offers personalized recommendations based on individual needs. Participants appreciate the wealth of resources, experienced instructors, and opportunities for peer feedback, which contribute to their overall satisfaction with the course.

over learners say this course had a positive impact on their teaching practices.

"Great course for those who are interested in improving their their online teaching. Even though the course does not tell one exactly what should be done, it gives a plethora of useful ideas, which may come in handy in one's teaching practice."

"it was insightful of how online teaching goes and delves into the theories behind pedagogies.Whilst it touches on all the areas relevant in this new normal, it might be worthwhile updating some of the content towards the online only reality."

over learners say they found the peer feedback in this course to be helpful for improving their work.

"The resources and linked articles for the course were of a very high quality - and seemed to have good currency still too - which is great this is not just an online MOOC that has been set up and left to run out of its usefulness, it was still current and helpful."

"Though I had read a few books on the topic of conducting online classes, a practical orientation was needed. Through this course I could understand the minute things a teacher can do to make her/ his online classes interesting and engaging. I am grateful to Coursera and my university for introducing this course. "

over learners say the instructors of this course were knowledgeable and provided valuable insights.

"Excellent course. The course ensures that you think beyond the technology and it's application and think about the curriculum design which underlies it."

"This is a fascinating course, from start to finish. It takes the participant on an increasingly interesting journey in the aspect of strategies and methodologies for teaching through technology. I have learned a universe of motivating techniques to achieve a more successful class and to get students interested and engaged in the work of learning online."

over learners say this course provided them with valuable resources and tools to enhance their online teaching.

"The wealth and variety of resources made this course stand out."

"Its a great course and gives you very basic clarity about various online teaching modules , with goods n bads about every medium.Would recommend everyone who are involved in teaching online courses especially with current covid19 related situation ."

over learners say this course offered engaging and interactive activities that facilitated their learning.

"The course is very well designed and structured. Both the mentors explain each module, each concept in detail. Their style of connecting with the learner is amazing! The assignments to be completed in this course are very thought provoking, it really tests the learner's understanding of each module. Thanks a lot!Sunita Bhagwat, India. "

"This course really enabled me to improve my teaching skills for online teaching. It taught me how to develop, align, deliver and assess online components into a blended course. The best part of the course is that it discusses how to engage, motivate and drive student to get their best for the course. "

over learners say this course helped them plan and design engaging online lessons.

"It helped me understand the diversity of digital methods and tools that exist, and thus, become better equipped to use them in my work "

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 Learning to Teach Online with these activities:

Review basic principles of online learning

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Reviewing the basic principles of online learning will help you better understand the course materials and how to best engage with the content.

Browse courses on Online Learning

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Read the course syllabus and any introductory materials provided by the instructor.
Explore the course learning management system (LMS) and familiarize yourself with its features.
Read articles or blog posts about best practices for online learning.

Practice using the course LMS

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Practicing using the course LMS will help you become more comfortable with the platform and avoid technical difficulties.

Browse courses on LMS

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Create a new discussion post and respond to a few others.
Submit an assignment through the LMS.
Use the LMS to access course materials and resources.

Review Learning Technologies

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Refreshes your knowledge of educational technologies to help you identify and select the best tools for your own practice.

Browse courses on Open Educational Resources

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Read 'Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning' by Cheryl Lemke and Beverly Arbon
Review the 'Handbook of Research on EdTech Integration in Classroom Practices'
Explore online forums and discussion boards related to educational technology

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Create a course schedule and stick to it

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Creating a course schedule and sticking to it will help you stay organized and on track with your studies.

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Identify the key tasks and assignments for each module or week of the course.
Allocate specific time slots in your schedule for completing these tasks.
Use a calendar or planner to track your progress and stay accountable.

Participate in online discussions

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Participating in online discussions will help you engage with your classmates and learn from their perspectives.

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Read the discussion prompts and contribute your own thoughts and insights.
Respond to the posts of your classmates and engage in respectful dialogue.
Use the discussions to ask questions and seek clarification from your instructor and peers.

Create a study guide or summary of the course materials

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Creating a study guide or summary of the course materials will help you review and retain the information you are learning.

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Read through the course materials and identify the key concepts and ideas.
Organize the information into a logical structure, such as an outline or mind map.
Write a summary of each key concept or idea.

Volunteer as an online tutor or mentor

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Volunteering as an online tutor or mentor will help you reinforce your understanding of the course material and develop your communication and teaching skills.

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Identify organizations or platforms that offer online tutoring or mentoring opportunities.
Apply for a volunteer position and complete any required training.
Connect with students or mentees and provide them with support and guidance.

Contribute to an open-source project related to online learning

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Contributing to an open-source project related to online learning will help you gain practical experience and connect with others in the field.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source projects related to online learning on platforms like GitHub or SourceForge.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Submit a pull request with your contributions and engage with the project maintainers.

Career center

Learners who complete Learning to Teach Online will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Online Teacher

Online Teachers teach courses over the internet, typically to students in remote locations. This course is designed to help Online Teachers enhance their course design and integrate various educational technologies. By exploring successful online teaching strategies, Online Teachers are able to learn how to implement them in their own practices and apply them in blended contexts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Online Teacher

Learning Technologist

Learning Technologists design, develop, and implement learning technologies. This course provides a solid foundation in educational technology through practical experience. By exploring the different types of educational technologies, as well as how to use them to enhance educational programs, Learning Technologists can gain the necessary knowledge to be successful in their field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning Technologist

E-Learning Specialist

E-Learning Specialists design, develop, and implement electronic learning materials and programs. This course provides these professionals with practical experience working with educational technology. By giving professionals a working understanding of various educational technologies, this course can help E-Learning Specialists improve their abilities in designing online course content and media, as well as in evaluating the effectiveness of learning materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for E-Learning Specialist

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers design and develop educational programs and materials. This course can help Curriculum Developers integrate online technologies into their programs. By exploring successful online teaching strategies and their relationships with educational technologies, Curriculum Developers can learn how to design engaging and effective online learning experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create learning experiences, using design principles and research to enhance instruction. This course, Learning to Teach Online, can help Instructional Designers create online learning experiences in blended contexts. This course teaches about the specifics of successful online learning strategies, teaching professionals how to implement them, and explore the relationship between these strategies and common educational technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Faculty Developer

Faculty Developers provide professional development opportunities to faculty members. This course can help Faculty Developers build their knowledge in online teaching strategies. By understanding how to use various educational technologies, Faculty Developers can better support faculty members in designing and delivering online courses.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants provide advice and guidance to educational institutions and organizations. This course provides opportunities for hands-on experience working with educational technology, enabling Educational Consultants to build a solid foundation in the field. With a working understanding of educational technologies, Educational Consultants can more effectively advise on planning and implementing blended and online courses.

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Educational Researcher

Educational Researchers conduct research on education and learning. This course may be useful for Educational Researchers interested in exploring the effectiveness of online teaching strategies. By evaluating the impact of different technologies on student learning, Educational Researchers can contribute to the body of knowledge in this field.

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Education Consultant

Education Consultants advise individuals and organizations on education-related issues. This course may be useful for Education Consultants who want to learn more about online learning. By understanding the different types of online learning programs, as well as their benefits and challenges, Education Consultants can provide informed advice to their clients about how to use online learning to achieve their goals.

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Training Manager

Training Managers plan, develop, and implement training programs. This course may be useful for Training Managers who want to learn more about online training. By understanding how to use various educational technologies, Training Managers can gain the necessary knowledge to design and deliver effective online training programs.

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Education Policy Analyst

Education Policy Analysts research and evaluate education policies. This course may be useful for Education Policy Analysts who want to learn more about online learning. By understanding the different types of online learning programs, as well as their benefits and challenges, Education Policy Analysts can make informed recommendations about how to improve online learning opportunities.

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Education Entrepreneur

Education Entrepreneurs start and run their own education businesses. This course may be useful for Education Entrepreneurs who want to learn how to develop and deliver online courses. By understanding the different types of online learning programs, as well as their benefits and challenges, Education Entrepreneurs can make informed decisions about how to create and market their own online courses.

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Instructional Coach

Instructional Coaches provide support and guidance to teachers. This course may be useful for Instructional Coaches who want to learn more about online teaching. By exploring successful online teaching strategies, Instructional Coaches can gain the knowledge necessary to support teachers in implementing these strategies in their own classrooms.

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Teacher

Teachers are responsible for educating students in a variety of settings. This course may be useful for Teachers who want to learn how to integrate technology into their teaching. By exploring successful online teaching strategies, Teachers can learn how to use educational technologies to engage students and improve learning outcomes.

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Education Administrator

Education Administrators manage the day-to-day operations of schools and other educational institutions. This course may be useful for Education Administrators who want to learn about the latest trends in educational technology. By understanding the benefits and challenges of online learning, Education Administrators can make informed decisions about how to integrate technology into their institutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Administrator