- Instructor: ies
Course Provider: VHS Learning
| 225USD | Flexible | 10 Hours | Self-paced | Certificate available |
This module focuses on discussion design strategies and facilitation strategies. Strategies are adaptable in non-discussion experiences. It is suitable for teachers offering asynchronous discussions in a discussion thread and teachers wanting to increase engagement in student discussions.
Thoughtful questions, skilled facilitation, and clear expectations are the three critical ingredients for rich and meaningful discussions in online classrooms. For 25 years, VHS Learning has supported teachers by providing open-ended discussion questions and helping teachers understand how online discussion facilitation is different from managing a discussion in a face-to-face setting. When asked in our most recent student survey, over 3300 students gave feedback about their experiences with discussions.
Here are their responses:
84% agreed they learned from their classmates by participating in discussions,
89% agreed that they benefitted from learning about other peoples’ points of view.
80% agreed that discussions helped them understand course concepts more clearly, and
78% agreed that discussions made them feel part of a classroom community.
In this 10-hour course, teachers will learn strategies for creating rich, engaging discussion starters and managing online discussion activities. Teachers will reflect on characteristics of effective facilitation in online classrooms and understand the role of the teacher in online discussions, distinguish between clarifying and probing questions, create complex prompts to promote meaningful discussion activities, outline rubric criteria to assess student performance in facilitated discussions, predict challenges to meaningful online discussions and identify possible solutions, and develop resources that support student-led discussions.
This module is part of a series of professional learning opportunities focused on critical skills online teachers must develop. Teachers can enroll in one module or take the entire series. Courses are designed for middle and high school teachers or teachers teaching grades 7-12.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the webinar series, participants will be able to:
● Identify the characteristics of effective facilitation in the online classroom
● Explain the role of the teacher in online discussions
● Distinguish between clarifying and probing questions
● Create complex prompts to promote meaningful student discussion
● Determine rubric criteria to assess student performance in facilitated lessons
● Predict challenges to meaningful online discussions and identify possible solutions
● Develop resources that support student-led discussions
Course Commitment
● Fully Asynchronous
● 10 hours asynchronous study
Schedule
Flexible Schedule / Self-paced
VHS Learning (VHS, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization providing supplemental online classes and blended learning opportunities to middle and high school students, and professional development to educators. We partner with schools and districts to create programs in their schools and work directly with parents and students that want to enroll in our classes individually.
VHS Learning began as “Virtual High School” in 1996 as part of a technology grant from the Department of Education. In 2001, VHS, Inc. was established as a nonprofit. The organization has set the standard for quality online education. VHS Learning prepares students for college, careers, and life through supportive, instructor-led online and blended classroom experiences.
VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), ACS Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and Cognia. We offer a catalog of 24 Advanced Placement® courses and all eligible VHS Learning courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA (VHS Learning is school code #221356).
Director
Xuan You
Xuan You is Director, Global Programs and Services. Xuan develops strategic international partnerships and manages a variety of high-profile projects to provide students and schools from more than 66 countries with collaborative and engaging learning opportunities. She works closely with administrators, teachers, and students from partner schools around the world in the U.S. and speaks and facilitates online education discussions at international education conferences.
Stacy Young
Stacy Young is the Associate Dean of Instruction at VHS Learning. She mentors and collaborates with the Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) team members to support VHS Learning teachers in their professional development. Key responsibilities include oversight of professional development courses, traing and supervision of teachers, supervision of the Faculty Advisors, coordination of teaching assignments, and Curriculum and Instruction program development as a member of the C&I Leadership Team. Stacy was formerly the Director of the Massachusetts Personalized Learning Network with the Center for Collaborative Education, and she brings fifteen years of classroom expeirence to this role. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Masters of Science in Teaching and Learning from the University of Southern Maine.
Rick Weinland
In June 2020, as we completed three months of pandemic-induced remote teaching, we anticipated needing to start the following school year virtually as well. We were looking for a professional development experience that would help our teachers build a shared set of beliefs and strategies connected to distance learning, while not overwhelming them. We chose the four-part “Effective Instructional Strategies for Online Classrooms” webinar for our entire faculty, and the team at VHS helped tailor this course to our particular schedule and context. The presentations were informative, and the readings and online discussions were effective in generating good discussion. Thank you VHS!
Ole Bernard (OB) Sealey
We used VHS learning to help coordinate our distance learning plan. We had a series of teacher “champions” take the 4 week courses and another group of “advocates” follow the webinar series. These teachers grew as practitioners and were able to put student and teacher voice into our plan. Each champion presented a section of their course and essential agreements around best practices within our school context were established. VHS were extremely helpful and flexible and this PD was exceptional value for money. <p class="LC20lb DKV0Md"></p>
