eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities

eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities offers several solutions and suggestions for K-12 teachers who are ready to take up the challenge of transforming their classrooms into dynamic online adventures!

eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities

In the early ‘60s, the University of Illinois introduced students to PLATO, the first computer-assisted instruction system built to offer computer-based learning. By the ‘80s, the Internet and the development of Macintosh computers made it possible for students to learn online. Within a few short decades, social media and mobile devices revolutionized the way we connect with each other and information.

Today, the concept of eLearning is so common that distance education has helped “non-traditional” students become the new majority of higher education attendees. It is, therefore, no surprise that many American school districts are taking a closer look at eLearning. It offers not only digital solutions to potential classroom disruptions but also new avenues of educational possibilities that engage youth in ways they are increasingly familiar with.

When done right, eLearning offers educators flexible, effective resources to shift their traditional instruction into creative and customizable virtual learning environments. Students, the majority of which are already using technologies for recreational and social purposes, typically adapt to the transition with ease. In fact, many already use devices, software, and apps for learning in one form or another.

The biggest hurdle is for educators themselves to learn how to harness the power of eLearning and transform their classrooms into dynamic online adventures. eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities, offered by Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne, offers several solutions and suggestions for K-12 teachers who are ready to take up the challenge!

How eLearning Works for Both Students and Schools

The term “eLearning” covers a fair amount of ground. However, in the context of this course, the term is used to refer to teaching courses online and interactively to students who aren’t physically present in their regular classroom setting. Though such eLearning courses can potentially be supplemented with additional materials, the intent is for teachers and students to be able to communicate and engage with each other to the greatest extent possible. To this end, live-steaming delivery is often the best option, for it allows students to ask questions in real-time.

Live-streaming isn’t always practical, but lectures can also be pre-recorded and viewed at students’ convenience. Schools may opt to utilize a web-based Learning Management System (LMS). These comprehensive platforms enable teachers to deliver multimedia content, set up participatory discussion threads, create student peer groups, use functions for assignment delivery and submissions, facilitate quizzes, and track grades, attendance, and other data.

While flexibility is clearly one of the biggest benefits of eLearning, the concept isn’t without some inherent disadvantages. By definition, eLearning requires suitable hardware, software, and a reliable Internet connection. Many schools can fund tablets or laptops which are issued to students during the applicable term, but others might have to rely on parents to furnish those items or take their children to public resources, when open and available. While eLearning isn’t a perfect solution for every situation, it has become not only a viable but crucial alternative in the modern era.

Benefits of the Course

eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities reviews numerous strategies and tools that teachers can use to plan and organize digital lessons. One of the most exciting new tools, built by Google for Education, is the new HyperDoc. Made “By Teachers for Students,” HyperDocs are Google Docs containing links to videos, apps, and web tools, making it a breeze for students to access everything they need.

Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne created this course with the needs of K-12 teachers in mind. Specifically, this course features content applicable to virtually all academic subjects. Whether your goal is a complete curriculum transition to eLearning or simply to add elements of blended learning to existing instruction, eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities has got you covered!

Benefits of the course include:

“At-a-glance” guidelines and step-by-step instructions to get started
How to plan and design creative, dynamic digital lessons
Practical information and projects relevant to teachers of all grades
Best practices for facilitating meaningful online interactions while mitigating disruptions
Fostering growth mindsets, offering feedback, and maximizing student engagement
Proven techniques for creating transformative, interactive HyperDocs to replace or modify traditional worksheets
Choosing the perfect HyperDoc templates and tools to personalize instruction

eLearning: Empowering Students for Success in the Digital Age Course Contents

eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities, offered by Professional Development Courses at the University of La Verne, features an in-depth yet straightforward curriculum that is actionable and easy to implement. Course contents include:

Expert tools for executing digitally-enhanced learning strategies in any classroom
Methodical planning and development techniques to craft your perfect online curriculum
Assessment and pre-instruction methods
Do's and Don'ts of eLearning
Ways educators can master the world of eLearning
Launching the eLearning experience for your classroom
Maintaining momentum from a distance
Fostering growth mindsets while teaching collaboration and guiding discussions
How to deal with distractions, tangents, and toxic conversations
Unleashing the power of student and facilitator reflection
How to select transformative Google HyperDoc templates or create new ones from scratch
Selecting suitable apps and other resources made to meet student learning objectives

The self-paced curriculum was designed for busy working teachers who want the flexibility and convenience of a distance learning course that is rigorous enough to count for graduate credit from an accredited university. All content is self-paced, written in user-friendly language, and accessible online 24/7 or via PDF format delivered directly to your email inbox.

Successful completion of eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities imparts exciting new skills as well as graduate credits to potentially boost your career, qualify you for promotions or pay increases, and aid with license renewal or recertification.

This three-credit course counts towards the University of La Verne’s 15-credit certificate in Integrating Technology into the Classroom. Other popular course options for this timely certificate include:

Note, the University of La Verne is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Since requirements may vary, students should check with their school district or state department of education before enrolling in a course.

How to Register

eLearning Made Easier: Creating Dynamic Learning Opportunities is completed in an online or via emailed PDF format. All books and materials are mailed to the student regardless of the format selected. Featuring online chat support and quick grading turnaround times, the course is open for registration at any time during a semester. Upon completion, students receive graduate, non-degree semester credit on official transcripts from the University of La Verne, an accredited university in La Verne, California.

Registration is fast, simple, and can be done online or over the phone. Courses are offered on a rolling basis during three standard semesters, and you can begin whenever you are ready! The registration dates are:

Fall: September 1 - January 31
Spring: February 1 - May 31
Summer: June 1 - August 31

Today’s students already use technology and the Internet in their daily lives. It makes practical sense for schools and teachers to leverage the power and flexibility of those tools for educational purposes, too. In fact, eLearning is quickly becoming an indispensable method for providing education at a distance. That is why there has never been a better time to take advantage of ways to create dynamic learning opportunities for your students!