Graduate Certificate in K-12 Online Teaching Endorsement

This course will examine the differences between the learning needs and abilities of the adult and the younger learner. The course will highlight the importance of differentiating instruction and course development between adult learners and K-12 learners. The adult learner may be viewed as a student who is a mature worker and approaching the achievement of a degree after they are more self-guided in their learning. The adult learner seeks learning to make sense and will rarely perform an activity that is not related or aligned. These adult learning attributes differ from the younger learner, who may need guidance in how to be self-directed and apply new information toward an important purpose and future direction.

In this course students will develop an understanding of the structure of the different types of software/genres (application, drill and practice, tutorial and simulation), and their effect on raising student achievement. Future instructors (degree students) will gain an appreciation for the types of online learning experiences that will enhance the online student experience. Scholarly literature that addresses student achievement gains via technology will be examined. Students will be introduced to a typology for software and interactive web experiences that predicts the effect of student achievement based on the unique features of interactive product.

In this course students will explore and evaluate the different types of online learning platforms, as well study the different components of asynchronous and synchronous instructional delivery. Students will demonstrate an ability to develop a complete online course for delivery in the Blackboard, Sakai, eCollege, Moodle, or other LMS environment.

This course will examine the different technology applications that have emerged as a result of the development of Web 2.0. Students will learn about the potential for using social networking sites as vehicles for effective communication that can promote as well as inform. Students will be introduced to the new world of writing applications for Apple proprietary products such as IPhone and IPad and other smart phones and tablet devices. In addition students will be exposed to cloud computing and GoogleDocs, and WebQuest applications for blended learning in traditional K-16 content curricula and delivery.

This course will examine the current best practices for personalization for each individual student in our K-16 classrooms. Personalization is closely related to two additionally important terms; individualization and differentiation. All three terms require a shift in focus from a teacher centered approach to an authentic, student-centered approach. A true student centered focus requires that we tailor our lessons to the abilities, interests, preferences, future life dreams, socio-emotional attributes, and other needs of the individual student