Making the Move to K-12 Online Teaching

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Written specifically for K-12 teachers, this book covers all aspects of online education.

Unique in its focus on K-12 learning, this book shows educators how to transform their teaching as they move from traditional face-to-face classrooms to online settings. Taking into account what teachers know about effective traditional classrooms, Kerry Rice guides the reader step by step through the change showing how familiar concepts, such as setting the tone, building community, course design, lesson planning and assessment, must be re-examined in the context of the online classroom. With the simple premise that teachers need practical information to move beyond traditional practices, it provides an overview of the key principles of effective online instruction, emphasizes the power of the learner-centered approach, and discusses the technology tools that make online delivery and design possible. Filled with checklists, guidelines, vignettes and sample lessons, the book guides educators through the changing landscape of education as they make the move to K-12 online teaching.

Key Features

· Coverage of all aspects of K-12 online education shows educators how to move classrooms from traditional to online settings and how to build 21st century skills such as problem solving, synthesizing, use of networks and workgroups, cultural and global awareness and the ability to communicate effectively in multiple media.

· An overview of key principles of effective online instruction emphasizes the power of learner-centeredness and how this framework drives online teaching and its core methods such as active participation, collaboration and community building, and authentic assessments.

· A chapter devoted to the essential tools for teaching online (Chapter 3) describes important technology such as learning management systems, asynchronous communication tools, synchronous communication tools, presentation tools, collaboration tools, networking tools, and multimedia creation tools—complete with multiple images and screenshots.

A chapter devoted to online lesson development (Chapter 7) walks the reader through the process of course design and lesson planning, illustrating how key learner-centered concepts can be incorporated into lesson development.

· A chapter devoted to learners with special needs (Chapter 8) covers laws and statutes for individuals with disabilities, identifying students with special needs, differentiation instruction for struggling students, various types of learning difficulties and assistive technology.

· A unique chapter devoted to digital citizenship (Chapter 9) discusses the concepts of digital equity, digital literacy and Internet safety.

· Voices from the Field vignettes feature comments and quotes from teachers and add a real world approach to the text.

· Multiple checklists, guidelines, and examples provide practical application for teachers.

· Sample lessons and strategies offer suggestions that can be implemented immediately in the online learning environment.

· Learning activities encourage e-portfolio developmentand allow for practice and reflection as well as the collection of artifacts that provide evidence of learning and comprehension.

Preface

Chapter 1: An Overview of K-12 Online Education

What is Distance Learning?

What is Online Learning?

K-12 Online Overview

The Quality of Online Education

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 2: Key Principles of Effective Online Instruction

When the Classroom Moves Online

Learner-Centeredness

Considerations When Choosing Instructional Strategies

The Qualities of Successful Online Teachers

Do You Have What it Takes to Teach Online?

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 3: Tools for Teaching Online

Tools for Delivering Instruction Online

Tools for Designing Instructional Elements

Aligning Tools to Learner-Centered Attributes

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 4: Setting the Tone

The “Teacher” in Online Teaching

Preparing For Your Online Classroom

Planning for Instruction

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 5: Collaboration and Community Building

What is Online Community?

Strategies for Building Community

Strategies for Online Collaboration

Managing Collaborative Activities

Assessing Collaboration and Community Building Activities

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 6: Facilitating Effective Online Discussions

Rationale for Using Discussion Forums

Preparing for Online Discussions

Facilitating Effective Online Discussions

Assessing Online Discussions

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 7: Designing Quality Online Lessons

Planning Lessons for Online Delivery

Managing Your Course Site

Lesson Design 295

Assessment

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 8: Supporting Learners with Special Needs

Characteristics of Successful Online Learners

Support for Learners with Special Needs

Identifying Students with Special Needs

Differentiating Instruction for Struggling Students

Types of Learning Difficulties and Tier One and Two Interventions

Accessibility, Assistive Technology and Tier Three Accommodations

Putting it All Together

Assessment

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Chapter 9: Special Concerns in Online Learning Environments

Digital Citizenship

Final Thoughts

Apply What You Have Learned

Chapter Resources

References

Index

Kerry Rice is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Technology at Boise State University, one of the leading K-12 online teacher preparation programs in the country. She has seven years experience teaching middle school math and science, and over 12 years experience teaching undergraduate and online graduate courses including: Introduction to K-12 Online Teaching, Advanced Online Teaching Methods, Technology Supported Project Based Learning, Integrating Technology in the Classroom Curriculum, and Theoretical Foundations of Educational Technology. Her research centers on the unique needs and challenges of K-12 online teachers and the development of an educational data mining model investigating the impact of teacher professional development, course design, and instructional strategies on student outcomes in online learning environments.

Expert Reviews

While I have a great deal of experience teaching online as do my colleagues, we are commonly asking ourselves if we are doing the right thing and if there is a better way to teach online. This book would help to answer some of the questions that our teachers have about teaching strategies as well as reaffirm some of the strategies that they already have in place.

This book would be a huge asset to assist teachers in making the transition from the traditional classroom to the virtual classroom; I could easily develop the curriculum for the workshop around this book.

This book is a must have for all new teachers looking to teach online.

I would definitely highly recommend this to all new teachers; I would also highly recommend this for veteran online teachers as well.

Bradley R. Mitchell, Training Coordinator, South Carolina Virtual School Program – SC Department of Ed, Columbia, South Carolina

"YES! I would recommend the book to teachers who are just beginning online instruction or those who are considering online as an option. I think it would be a great [resource] for university schools of education as part of their teacher preparation programs [as well]."

-Elmer Seward, Supervisor of Instruction and Professional Development, Virtual Virginia, Norfolk, VA

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