Topic outline

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  General

  	Being Successful with Online Learning	FST-01
  	a NH e-Learning for Educators online tutorial

  • Our OPEN NH online courses provide you with the resources you need to be successful in the online environment. Course participation expectations and requirements for learning are always provided.

    The Discussion Forums in the tutorial are included for example and observation purposes only. You will not be able to participate in any of the Discussion Forums.
    

  • Class Announcements Forum
  • The Teacher's Lounge Forum
  • About This Tutorial Page
  • OPEN NH courses have optional 3 Graduate Credits Page
  • Course Syllabus Page
  • Course Resources Folder
  • Online Discussion Tips URL
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  Topic 1

     Orienting Yourself to an Online Course

  The course orientation is your introduction to the course and the online environment. Normally, a short series of assignments designed to familiarize you with the course and the delivery system are used. As you explore your course, you can introduce yourself to your classmates, email your course instructor, and have a short discussion about your current understanding of the course content. You will be asked to set a goal or goals for your own professional growth in the course.

  In this tutorial, you’ll get to quickly move through each unit with a short set of activities that can be done quickly. In an instructor facilitated course that provides content rich professional development, you’ll have more substantial readings of quality content in each unit. Discussion questions will be deeper and more thoughtful postings and participation will be expected from you. An authentic course project which asks you to use the information you are learning will also be expected.

  • Orientation Activities Page
  • Orientation Forum
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  Topic 2

  The Discussion-Based Model for Online Learning

  In this unit, you’ll review the organization of discussion based online courses. Like face to face courses, online courses have structure and organization that can help you learn the content easier. Our discussion based model has a three tiered structure. In the first tier, you have readings and articles that provide you with information regarding the content of the unit. In this tutorial, we’ll use short videos and activities in place of more in-depth readings. The second tier involves content based peer discussions. This is the heart of the course as you discuss the content from the readings and think about how it fits into your present situation as an educator. In this tutorial, you’ll be asked simple discussion questions which you have the option of answering in the forums. This exercise is optional and you won’t get feedback from your instructor or classmates. However, your comments might help others taking this tutorial after you to gain better insight and you are encouraged to post your thoughtful comments in the discussion forum. The third tier involves an authentic project that asks you to apply what you are learning to something that you can use in your teaching practice. It may be a lesson plan, activity, or project that you design using the principles and ideas from the course. In this tutorial, there is no project assignment for you.

  • Unit 2 Activities Page
  • Unit 2 Discussion Forum
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  Topic 3

  Discovering Online Content Resources

  The purpose of any course is to learn content. In the OPEN NH model for online courses all our content is delivered online. There are no textbooks or printed materials to purchase or use. So is there rich content available online for educators? In this unit, you’ll explore the online content available in the five core content areas: the Arts, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. While there are tons of online written content presented at all learning levels. For this tutorial, we’ll explore elementary and middle level content in all areas. You can focus on your own individual area, or get a sampling of the richness of online resources available in all content areas.

  • Unit 3 Activities Page
  • Unit 3 Discussion Forum
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  Topic 4

  Discussing Content with Your Classmates

  In this unit, you’ll explore how the discussion of content enhances learning. Like face to face discussions, online discussions can help you gain insight and understanding of the content you are learning by personalizing it to your individual situations. Guided questions help focus your thoughts on the learning goals while reading the thoughts others have posted on those same questions help you gain perspective. As you discuss your opinions and understanding of content, you deepen your ability to apply it to your own situation. Applied learning occurs because the content is connected to your own situation and needs. The richness of the discussion allows you to tailor your learning to meet your personal needs for the content. Application of ideas makes them relevant. As you participate in this unit, think about the power of discussion to you’re your learning relevant to you and your situation.

  • Unit 4 Activities Page
  • Unit 4 Discussion Forum
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  Topic 5

  Working on Authentic Projects

  This unit focuses on understanding through application. All OPEN NH online courses utilize a course project that asks you to apply the content you are learning to a project that you can use directly in your classroom or your school. As discussion adds depth of knowledge, so application adds richness of understanding. Quality professional development in the 21^st Century should be sustained over time and job embedded. Online courses provide you with sustained opportunities for learning content. The projects they involve allow you to practice your learning in the classroom. In this tutorial, you will explore how powerful classroom projects can be, and in doing so appreciate the value of doing your own applied projects.

  • Unit 5 Activities Page
  • Unit 5 Discussion Forum
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  Topic 6

  Using Feedback to Enhance Learning

  In this unit you will consider how constructive feedback can be used to enhance learning in an online course. In a discussion based online course model, peer and instructor feedback are equally important. As you participate in online discussions, commenting to your classmates on their posts provides you with an opportunity to enhance your own learning by thinking about the content in terms of what others say about it, or don’t say about it. Responding to your classmates and commenting on their posts provides them with constructive feedback on their own learning and understanding of the material. Teaching and learning occur at the same time as you develop comments that others can use to enhance their own learning. In this tutorial, you will explore the affects of good feedback and its importance in e-Learning.

  • Unit 6 Activities Page
  • Unit 6 Discussion Forum
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  Topic 7

  Using Self Reflection to Enhance Learning

  Another component used in online learning courses to enhance your learning experience is self reflection. This is a powerful tool for professional development. In an online course, you are constantly being asked to reflect on your knowledge and learning and write about it. Through your initial discussion posts and in your responses to others, your own thoughts on the content and its relevance to your situation are constantly being self assessed. As you learn more, your confidence about the content grows, as does your ability to apply it in your teaching practice. All OPEN NH courses have the option of graduate credits through Plymouth State University. A final reflection paper is a requirement for graduate credit. The paper asks you to reflect on the significance of your learning in the course. There are many levels of significance in learning, depending on the overall result of learning. In this tutorial, you will explore the meaning of self reflection in online courses.

  • Unit 7 Activities Page
  • Unit 7 Discussion Forum