Program(s): Adult Education
Program Coordinator(s): Leslie Kenwell-Simpson
Course Leader or Contact: Multiple Course Leaders
Version: 3.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: This course is a web-based course offered entirely online through Sheridan College. Students taking this course will need reliable access to the internet, and should have a basic level of comfort using computers as well as the self- discipline to study online. Students can expect to spend an additional three hours per week for online activities such as postings, discussions, and homework.

Detailed Description
Students experience hands-on teaching in an online environment, and review the fundamental concepts for online instructional design. Emphasis in this course is placed on online andragogy; best practices in an online teaching environment; basic online instructional design; analyzing online teaching tools; planning, facilitating, creating and assessing collaborative and interactive e-learning experiences; and future trends in online learning. In this online course students engage in varied self-directed learning experiences including: posts; the opportunity to teach peers about an online teaching tool; the development of a personal teaching philosophy; development of an online lesson plan; the creation of formative and summative evaluations; the preparation of grading rubrics and criteria; and self-reflection.

Program Context

 CRITICAL PERFORMANCE

By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the 
ability to facilitate online instruction through the application of 
adult learning principles and instructional design theory.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated 
the ability to:

     1  Discuss adult learning theory, in relation to online 
        learning, to ensure best practices in an online teaching 
        environment.
     2  Facilitate an asynchronous online discussion to create a  
        community of learners.
     3  Design a unit of online instruction using an instructional 
        design model.
     4  Generate a personal online teaching philosophy using a 
        teaching orientation inventory assessment tool.
     5  Select one or more tools/technologies to address an 
        instructional need within a learning unit.
     6  Facilitate a synchronous discussion using an online 
        collaboration platform at a basic level to engage 
        participants.
     7  Evaluate performance as an online teacher using a 
        self-assessment rubric and reflective journaling.
     8  Discuss future trends in online teaching and learning to   
        identify opportunities to apply to a career or workplace.
     9  Behave ethically and professionally in all dealings with 
        classmates and instructor by exhibiting suitable netiquette.

Online Collaborative Learning (Posts & Responses - 8 x 5%)    40%
Assignments (3 x 5%, 2 x 15%)                                 45%
Reflective Journal                                             5%
Facilitate Asynchronous Discussion                            10%
                                                      TOTAL  100%

NOTE: All assignments and activities are expected to be 
completed by the due date. Additional details describing the 
evaluations and the due dates are provided within the online course.

No text book required; all resources are contained within the online 
course.

MODULE 1: Review Learning Theories, Philosophies, and Principles
[Weeks 1 - 2]
     - Learning Outcome Covered: 1
     - Topics:
          - Characteristics of Online Learners
          - Learning Styles of Adult Learners
          - Best Practices in Online Teaching

Evaluations:
     - Discussion Question (Post and Responses): Personal Learning  
       Style (8%)
     - Journal Entry (ongoing submitted and evaluated at the end 
       of the course)

MODULE: Teaching in an Online Classroom [Week 3]
     - Learning Outcomes Covered: 4, 7, and 9
     - Topics:
          - Assess Readiness to Teach Online
          - Build an Online Community
          - Presence and Communication
          - Teaching Perspective and Philosophy

Evaluations:
     - Assignment 1: Inventory Assessment Tool, Philosophy of 
       Teaching (5%)
     - Journal Entry (ongoing)

MODULE 3: Instructional Design [Weeks 4, 5, 6, 7]
     - Learning Outcomes Covered: 3, 5, and 6
     - Topics:
          - Instructional Design Overview
          - Instructional Design Models
          - Instructional Design Process
          - Technology Tools Selection
          - Technology Tools
          - Curriculum Design
          - Instructional Support 

Evaluations:
     - Facilitate an Asynchronous Online Discussion: Exploring 
       Learning Theories and Theorists (10%)
     - Assignment 2: Plan a Unit of Online Instruction (10%)
            - Prepare Learning Outcomes
            - Select Online Technology 
            - Choose an Instructional Design Model 
     - Assignment 3: Develop an Online Unit of Instruction Share  
       Online Unit of Instruction (10%)
     - Moderate a Synchronous Chat on Unit of Instruction (10%)
     - Journal Entry (ongoing)

MODULE 4: Online Facilitation [Week 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]
     - Learning Outcomes Covered: 2, 6, and 9
     - Topics:
          - Online Facilitation Roles
          - Pragmatics and Principles of Online Facilitation
          - Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication
          - Assessment Choices to Evaluation
          - Formative and Summative Assessments
          - Rubrics Assessment and Criteria

Evaluations:
     - Discussion Question (Post and Responses) #2: Giving & 
       Accepting Feedback (8%)
     - Discussion Question (Post and Responses) #3: Netiquette (8%)
     - Discussion Question (Post and Responses) #4: Online 
       Facilitation Principles and Roles (8%)
     - Assignment 4: Giving and Taking Feedback(5%)
     - Journal Entry (ongoing)


MODULE 5: Future Trends and Opportunities [Weeks 13 - 14]
     - Learning Outcomes Covered: 7 and 8
     - Topics:
          - Trends in Online Teaching / Training
          - Future Opportunities  

Evaluations:
     - Discussion Question (Post and Responses) #5: Opportunities 
       for Career and/or Workplace (8%)
     - Assignment 5: Complete Self-Assessment Rubric to Evaluate 
       Performance as an Online Teacher (5%)
     - Reflective Journal Submission (Select 5 "Aha!" Moments) (5%)