Teaching in a Virtual Environment
EDUC 600
3 CREDITS
$350
Online
Instructor: Judy Kvaale
Grading:
Spring, Summer & Fall (Ongoing)
Instruction Mode: Internet-Asynchronous (Online Class)
Academic Level: K-12 Professional Development
NDSU Credit Fee: $350
Partner Class Offered Through eEducators
Course Description:
Virtual schools and their success are increasingly reported in the news media. What is a virtual school? How is this form of learning different from online learning and in a traditional brick and mortar classroom? Certain challenges and rewards exist for the virtual school teacher. Are you considering applying for a virtual teaching position? Learn how your current classroom skills can transfer to the virtual realm and how to prepare. Assignments are geared toward developing a greater understanding of virtual education and the components within a virtual program that ensure the school and students success.
Objectives:
As a result of this participation in this course, students should be able to:
1. Articulate the difference between a traditional, online, and virtual learning environment and the characteristics of each.
2. Summarize what challenges face virtual school teachers in today’s society and how to address them.
3. Read and reflect on current research in the virtual arena and be able to expound on current best practices.
4. List and compare techniques and strategies to improve student achievement and engagement.
5. Suggest avenues for professional and personal growth in the virtual and online environment.
6. Justify why virtual/online teachers require particular resources for effective teaching and learning.
7. Identify common myths and truths about virtual and online education.
Texts/Readings:
The required text is:
Pallof, Rena and Keith Pratt (2007). Building Online Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley and Sons