Across the country, more and more schools are implementing online and/or blended learning programs in response to student demands for more individualized and relevant learning opportunities. The eLearn Institute has a wide array of resources available to help schools succeed in their quest to implement effective programs. The eLearn Institute will provide individuals, schools, and state departments of education with multiple formats of professional development services that are aimed at building individual and organizational capacity and sustainability as they relate to online and blended learning.
The following courses are available through the eLearn Collaborative:
Learning Management Systems Basics
Self-paced 3 week course.15 Clock Hours Participants will learn the basic functionalities of learning management systems. Navigation, facilitation, data analytics, class support features, building content, applications and networks. Various learning management systems will be introduced along with learning about unique advantages or features within each system.
Introduction to Blended Learning
3 week course. 15 Clock Hours. Introduction to online and blended learning models. Participants will learn about various blended learning instructional models and how to determine the best approach to implementing blended learning in their classrooms. The course includes the Quality Standards for Online and Blended Learning from the International Association of K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). Teacher role and expectations. Using synchronous tools for virtual instruction. Student engagement and support. Participants walk away with a basic understanding of the essential elements in blended learning and the various instructional models. This course is recommended to be followed by Instructional Best Practice in Blended Learning course.
Instructional Best Practice in Blended Learning
3-week course. 15 clock hours. This course provides teachers with the opportunity to study aspects of best instructional practices and strategies in blended learning in order to reflect and refine blended learning teaching practices so as to implement a lesson in a blended learning model (a focus on the Flipped Model). Participants will also explore instructional differences and similarities between being a content expert and an expert facilitator.
In addition, participants will review respond, design and implement the following in a blended setting:
This is a course rich in reflection, discussion and collaboration. Weekly participation through online discussions, collaborative blogs and assignments will lead to deeper understanding of how to refine teaching practices and skillfully design a lesson for blended learning model.
Project Based Learning in a Blended Environment
3-week course. 15 clock hours. Get your “hands-on” this course! Participants are introduced to project-based learning in a blended classroom in this three-week course. Those enrolled will identify elements that constitute project-based activities based on research findings, determining the most effective instructional practices. Additionally, through instructional videos, discussion threads, and myriad resources and tools, participants will learn how to develop and assess project-based activities relevant to their content. Participants will be able to apply the basic guidelines and best practice of project-based learning into their classroom instruction.
Creating Digital Content for Blended Learning
3-week course. 15 clock hours. This course is designed for groups of district staff (teachers, curriculum developers, instructional coaches, etc.) to create digital content to be used for blended learning. Participants will learn how to digitize content they currently use in their instruction to a learning management system that supports blended learning while adhering to best practice in digital course design. Alignment with National Standards of Quality for Online Courses by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). The course will follow quality guidelines for digital course content, instructional design, technology, student assessment, and content management. By the end of the session, participants will master the skills to create content that for immediate use in their current and future class instruction.
*Members will have access to all courses developed from all training sessions and all other content in the repository for one year.
**All content created through this training will come with an MOU between district/school and eLearn Collaborative for license to share with members via the repository.
Digital Content/Online Course Development Training
12-week course. 60 clock hours. (30 facilitated hours) This training course is designed for groups of district staff (teachers, curriculum developers, instructional coaches, etc.) on digital course development. Participants will learn best practices in online course design along with aligning to common core. Build activities that are engaging to students. Alignment with National Standards of Quality for Online Courses by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). The course will follow quality guidelines for digital course content, instructional design, technology, student assessment, and course management. By the end of the session, participants will each create a course for their immediate use. Sessions require a minimum of 5 participants and are limited to 15 participants per session.