About this course: This course will help you ‘up’ your game and develop the advanced level skills and techniques that elude even some of the most experienced virtual teachers. 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. Throughout the course, you will be challenged to assess your own skills and apply what you are learning by creating a guide, assignment, or resource that you will be able to use in a class that you teach or hope to teach someday soon. By the end of the course, you will not only have a better understanding of the basics, you will be able to put them together like a pro and empower your future 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: 1. Meet your students' needs and craft a better virtual learning experience for them 2. Set up the learning environment so you get to know your students and they get to know each other 3. Personalize learning by providing feedback using a variety of online tools 5. Identify at-risk students and employ effective strategies for teaching them 6. Compare and contrast online and face-to-face learning communities 7. Apply strategies to make virtual courses more human
Created by: University of California, Irvine
Taught by: Chris Long, Instructor
UC Irvine Extension
| Basic Info | Course 3 of 5 in the Virtual Teacher Specialization |
| Commitment | 2-4 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Italian |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Week 1: Handling Direct Instruction
Welcome! This week you will begin by familiarizing yourself with the course. Then, we'll examine the role direct instruction plays in a virtual course. I will clarify what I mean by direct instruction and we will look at ways teachers can use some of the latest video/multimedia tools to 'up' student engagement. By the end of this module, you should have a good idea how you can use technology to meet your students needs and craft a better virtual learning experience for them.
1 video, 3 readings
- Reading: About this Course
- Reading: Pre-Course Survey
- Video: catch IT: Handling Direct Instruction
- Reading: Week 1 Optional Resources
Graded: Quiz 1
WEEK 2
Week 2: Passing with Communication and Building Relationships
Welcome to Week 2! In this module, we will focus on what we do as virtual teachers to establish clear and open lines of communication and how we use that to build relationships with our students. In some ways, it’s no different than a traditional face-to-face teacher, but there are also some significant differences. We will look at how to set up the learning environment so you get to know your students, they get to know each other, and everyone has a clear understanding of what's expected of them and the role they play in your course. We will also examine how technology enables us to personalize learning by providing feedback using a variety of online tools.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Video: catch IT: Communication & Relationships
- Video: up IT: Blackout
- Reading: Week 2 Optional Resources
Graded: Quiz 2
WEEK 3
Week 3: Swishing Assignments and Assessments
Our goal as teachers is to get our students to take a shot and improve their techniques, so that over time we see their "shooting percentage" go up! In order to do this, we must design assignments and assessments that engage our students and challenge them to think deeper and go further than they have done before. Our focus for this third module is to rethink assignments and assessments. We will explore what motivates students to perform and learn how to implement some powerful instructional strategies using free tools that can be used in nearly any virtual class. By the end of this module, you will have at least two "go to" techniques that will have the virtual nets in your classes swishing with artifacts of meaningful learning. You will also have the opportunity to submit your assignment and evaluate three of your classmates' work.
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: catch IT: Swishing Assignments & Assessments
- Video: up IT - PB&J
- Reading: Week 3 Optional Resources
- Reading: Assignment & Peer Review Instructions
- Reading: Option 2: Peer Review QFT Template
Graded: Final Assignment
Graded: Quiz 3
WEEK 4
Week 4: Rebounding for At-Risk and Underperforming Students
Your course is underway, the discussion boards are buzzing with activity and your students are working diligently to produce some exceptional work. Watch out! If you are not actively searching for students hanging out on the sidelines or hiding under the bleachers, you may be forfeiting the greatest joy of your career. This week is going to be a little different. We are going to turn our focus to the students who are often lost, ignored, or troubled. We will define who an at-risk student is, examine some effective strategies for teaching students who are at-risk and we will hear from some educators who know how to help them rebound and score.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Video: catch IT: Rebounding for At-Risk & Underperforming Students
- Video: up IT - Motivate & Move
- Reading: Week 4 Optional Resources
Graded: Quiz 4
WEEK 5
Week 5: Your Best Defense is a Good Community
Welcome to our final week of class. We will finish our course by going back to one of the basics: Community. How can a virtual teacher build an inclusive and thriving community with their students, parents and other teachers and why is that vital to a successful online learning environment? We will compare the differences and similarities of an online class community and a face-to-face one and focus on strategies to make our virtual courses more human. Enjoy your week and thank you for learning with us!
2 videos, 3 readings
- Video: catch IT: Your Best Defense is a Good Community
- Video: up IT - One Button to Change the Game
- Reading: Week 5 Optional Resources
- Reading: Message from UC Irvine Extension
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
Graded: Final Quiz
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of California, Irvine
Since 1965, the University of California, Irvine has combined the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location. UCI’s unyielding commitment to rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and leadership and character development makes the campus a driving force for innovation and discovery that serves our local, national and global communities in many ways.
Pricing
| Purchase Course | Audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available | Not available |
| Receive a final grade | Available | Not available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available | Not available |
Ratings and Reviews
Well thought! Realist tools.
I highly recommand!
Actionable takeaways you can implement in your class.
Great way of instructing.
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Excellent course for online teachers.