Today’s Blended Teacher: A MOOC made for Community and Curation

This came through my inbox via the iNACOL LinkedIn group on Wednesday…

Summary

For the first time ever the blended schools network is hosting a massive open online course (MOOC). Starting on Monday, April 15, 2013 this course is designed for educators who wish to:

• Improve their knowledge of what identifies quality blended learning;
• Improve the quality of their existing blended lessons; and
• Grow their professional peer network.

This MOOC is free to all is designed for content curation and community building. Each week will include consuming course materials, curating quality resources and developing and critiquing new lessons.

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Week 1 4/15/13
The State of Blended Learning: How Do We Define Blended Learning
This week we will discuss the definition, benefits and state of blended learning. Participants will begin building peers groups as they discuss what components of their own lessons reflect quality blended learning.

Week one will include two live speakers covering a course introduction and the state of blended learning in the United States.

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Week 2 4/22/13
Student Centered Learning: Using Inquiry and Project-Based Learning
This week we will discuss how a Learning Management System and other online resources can be used to provide engaging, open-ended activities for students to learn from. Participants will review and discuss inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and anchor assignments.

Week two will include a live speaker covering inquiry and project-based learning.

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Week 3 4/29/13
Objective Assessment: Using Tests to Improve the Classroom
This week we will discuss online tests and automated feedback as a way to supplement traditional forms of assessment and guide instruction. Participants will review and discuss using automated grading to enrich instruction, assess higher order thinking skills, and encourage academic integrity.

Week three will include a live speaker covering the roll of automated testing in the blended classroom.

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Week 4 5/6/13
Digital Citizenship: Modeling Ethical Behavior to Students
This week we will discuss the teacher’s obligations for ethical behavior on the Internet and his or her responsibility to teach students to practice such behavior. Participants will review and discuss copyright and fair use, netiquette, and fostering true digital citizenship.

Week four will include a live speaker covering today’s digital citizen.

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Week 5 5/13/13
Disruptive Innovation: Flip Your Instruction
This week we will discuss teaching models that use online tools to revolutionize instruction. Participants will review and discuss student autonomy, collaboration, and developing higher-order thinking skills.

Week five will include a live speaker covering change in the modern classroom.

Check it out…