Blended Language Learning: Design and Practice for Teachers

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/blended-language-learning-design-practice-for-teachers

Introduction

### Course Review: Blended Language Learning: Design and Practice for Teachers In an era of rapid digital transformation, language education has become a crucial domain that requires innovative and flexible teaching methods. One such method is blended learning, where traditional face-to-face instruction is combined with online learning. If you are a language educator looking to enhance your teaching skills in this area, the Coursera course **"Blended Language Learning: Design and Practice for Teachers"** is a remarkable choice. #### Overview This comprehensive course is specifically designed for language teachers who aspire to create effective blended language courses. Completing the course not only enhances your teaching repertoire but also offers the opportunity to earn **1.5 Graduate Teacher Education credits (GRTE)**. With its structured approach, the course comprises four modules that progressively guide you through the essentials of blended language learning. #### Module Breakdown 1. **Blended Language Learning: Definitions, Benefits, Challenges, and Effectiveness** - The course kicks off by exploring the **origins** and **effectiveness** of the blended learning model. This module is foundational as it helps educators understand how blended learning compares with traditional teaching modalities. You will delve into the **affordances** and **challenges** associated with blended learning, equipping you with insights that are essential for implementing this model effectively in your own teaching context. 2. **Building a Blended Language Course (Course Level Considerations)** - This module takes a more practical approach, as you learn to choose the right blended format for your course. The focus is on how to create a balanced syllabus, deciding which components can be taught online versus face-to-face. Additionally, you'll get acquainted with **Learning Management Systems (LMS)** and the importance of creating **ADA-compliant** courses, ensuring that all your students can access the content regardless of their circumstances. 3. **Building a Blended Learning Course (Unit Level Considerations)** - Taking it down a notch to the unit level, this module guides you in designing a blended unit that includes a mini online lesson, practice activities, and an assessment plan. You will explore various strategies and technology tools that facilitate the online delivery of content. It's an essential component for teachers who want to create engaging and effective blended learning experiences. 4. **Teaching Strategies, Optional Peer-Reviewed Assignment, and GRTE Registration** - The final module emphasizes blended teaching strategies, addressing the tangential benefits of combining face-to-face and online teaching methods. Here, you will discover the **Community of Inquiry framework**, which outlines teaching presence, cognitive presence, and social presence—three pillars crucial to fostering an engaging learning environment. The module wraps up with practical tips for providing feedback and grading in a blended setting. For those pursuing graduate credits, the peer-reviewed assignment offers a chance to collaborate and critique with fellow educators, enhancing your learning experience even further. #### Conclusion and Recommendation "Blended Language Learning: Design and Practice for Teachers" is an invaluable resource for any language educator. With its structured modules covering both theoretical and practical aspects of blended learning, you'll emerge from the course equipped with the necessary tools and strategies to implement blended language instruction effectively. The collaboration and community engagement offered, especially in the optional peer-reviewed assignment, add an extra layer of depth to your learning experience. Furthermore, the opportunity to earn Graduate Teacher Education credits only enhances the value of this course. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to language educators eager to modernize their teaching practices and create dynamic learning environments for their students. Whether you teach in a traditional classroom, an online setting, or somewhere in between, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s educational landscape. Enroll today and take your language teaching career to the next level!

Syllabus

Blended Language Learning: Definitions, Benefits, Challenges, and Effectiveness

In this module, you will learn about the origins of the blended learning model and about the effectiveness of this model compared to other modalities. You will also learn about the affordances, benefits, and challenges of blended language learning for teachers and students.

In this module, you will discover the various types of blended formats and learn how to decide which part of a course to deliver online and which part to deliver face-to-face. You will learn to build a blended syllabus, explain the role of the LMS and learn about the importance of designing ADA compliant blended language courses

In this module, we are going to cover unit level considerations. You will learn to design a blended unit containing a mini online lesson, several practice activities, and an assessment plan. You will learn about the many strategies and technology tools you can use to present content online.

In this module, we are going to discuss blended teaching strategies. A blended course is a mix between a F2F course and a fully online course, so you will need to use teaching from both environments. At the end of this module, you will be able to define the three elements of the Community of Inquiry framework: teaching presence, cognitive presence, and social presence and discuss ways to establish each type of presence online. You will also learn to design effective and efficient ways to provide feedback and grade assignments in a blended course and finally, you will be able to compare and contrast the affordances of synchronous and asynchronous activities. This module concludes with an optional peer-reviewed assignment. If you are seeking graduate credits for this course, the peer-reviewed assessment is required.