Online education: The foundations of online teaching

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-foundations-of-online-teaching

Introduction

### Course Review: Online Education: The Foundations of Online Teaching #### Overview In our increasingly technologically-driven world, the shift toward online education is not just a fleeting trend; it's a profound transformation that reshapes how we teach and learn. The course, "Online Education: The Foundations of Online Teaching," available on Coursera, offers educators the essential tools and knowledge to effectively transfer their traditional teaching methods into the online environment. Designed for educators in schools, universities, and vocational sectors, this course is invaluable for those looking to enhance their teaching skills in the digital age. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **The Evolution of Online Course Design** In the first week, the focus is on how advancements in technology have revolutionized course delivery. This module lays a solid foundation by examining different course models and their online components, which have become paramount as global internet access continues to expand. This historical perspective aids educators in understanding the trajectory of online learning. 2. **Delivering Effective Online Content** Week two dives into the concept of transactional distance, a pivotal idea that addresses the challenges of physically distant learning environments. Educators will learn about the Critical Community of Inquiry Model, focusing on three essential presences: teacher, social, and cognitive. By understanding these dynamics, educators can significantly improve their delivery and engagement with students. 3. **Building the Digital Learning Skills of Your Learners** The third week emphasizes the importance of cognitive load in online learning. It discusses how overwhelming information can hinder student learning, providing practical strategies to create an inclusive and supportive online environment. By addressing cognitive load, educators can better facilitate student success and foster an atmosphere conducive to learning. 4. **Building Online Learning Communities** Week four is dedicated to cultivating a sense of community among online learners. Educators will explore effective methods for using online discussion forums to foster engagement and belonging among students. This is crucial, as a strong learning community enhances student performance and motivation. 5. **The Future of Online Learning** The final week challenges participants to look ahead in the realm of online education. It explores emerging technologies such as virtual reality and AI, discussing their potential impacts on learning. Additionally, it encourages educators to commit to lifelong professional development to adapt to the ever-changing educational landscape. #### Recommendation I highly recommend "Online Education: The Foundations of Online Teaching" for both novice and experienced educators. The course is well-structured, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Each week builds upon the last, creating a comprehensive understanding of the online teaching framework. The interactive elements and community discussions foster an engaging learning environment, making it ideal for collaborative educators who appreciate sharing and gaining insights from peers. Moreover, as we navigate an era where online education will persist, being equipped with the right skills and knowledge becomes not just helpful but essential. This course prepares educators to effectively redesign and optimize their teaching practices, ensuring that their students are not only participants but active, engaged learners. Whether you're looking to completely overhaul your teaching approach or enhance your skills for an online platform, this course will empower you to connect with your learners in meaningful ways. Enroll today and take your first step towards becoming an adept online educator!

Syllabus

The evolution of online course design

Welcome to Week 1! This week we will discuss and review the evolution of online course design. Advancements in technology have fundamentally changed the way learners can study. Students and learners can now choose from a range of course model types and most current course models have an online learning component. It is expected that online learning will continue to grow in popularity as more and more students gain access to the internet throughout the world.

Welcome to Week 2! This week you will explore the key concept of transactional distance, a phrase coined by Michael Moore in 1998. Being physically distant from your students presents a number of challenges but building on online presence can reduce some of these issues. We will also explore three key concepts related to Moore’s early work developed by Garrison, Anderson and Archer (2000), and built into their Critical Community of Inquiry Model. The concepts are 1) teacher presence, 2) social presence and 3) cognitive presence. These three concepts inform teacher behaviours and learning design characteristics that are crucial to the successful delivery and online learning experience of students.

Welcome to Week 3! This week we will examine the concept of cognitive load. As educators, we need to be mindful that cognitive load pressures can adversely affect our student's ability to learn. So, this week we will explore some practical tips and techniques to prevent cognitive overload. We will also discuss the importance of creating a supportive, inclusive and welcoming online learning environment and will show you some practical tips and techniques to set up your online course where your students can thrive.

Welcome to Week 4! This week we will define the term 'learning community', then learn how to create a learning community using online discussion forums. Research tells us that meaningful, inclusive and supportive learning communities help students feel a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging can support deep learning and as a result improve student performance. As you will learn this week, discussion forums are popular tools that online educators can use to build learning effective learning communities of their very own.

Welcome to Week 5! This week we look forward and explore the question, what will happen next in online education? We will investigate emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, and discuss their potential impact on the online education sector. We will finish this course discussing the importance for every online educator to continuously upskill and improve their skills in online teaching. We will give you some practical tips and help you to create your own future online teaching professional development action plan.