Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom

Welcome to Advanced Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom! This course will help you apply strategies to the critical areas of K-12 virtual instruction to significantly impact virtual education. We will examine the pitfalls beginning teachers run into and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the greatest impact on student learning in a blended or online environment. By the end of the course, you will be able to empower your students to be voracious learners who are ready to go out and make the world a better place to live.

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:
• Identify the role of direct instruction within a virtual course.
• Establish direct communication and meaningful relationships with your students. 
• Use instructional strategies that motivate and challenge your students to think more critically.
• Define at-risk students and examine effective strategies for teaching this demographic.
• Build an inclusive and thriving online community with students, parents, and other teaching professionals.

• Module 1
• Welcome to Module1, Direct Instruction. This module takes a look at direct instruction in the virtual classroom. First, we’ll examine the role and function of direct instruction in a virtual setting. Next, we’ll discuss several tools that support direct instruction. After that, we’ll learn several strategies for planning and delivering a live student learning experience. And finally, we’ll discuss teacher-created vs. externally-created content.
• Module 2
• Welcome to Module 2, Communication and Building Relationships. In this module, we’ll explore how communication and relationship-building are in many ways similar in both face-to-face and virtual environments—and at the same time different.
• Module 3
• Welcome to Module 3, Assignments and Assessments in the Virtual Classroom. This module explores various types of assignments and assessments that can be used in the virtual classroom. It discusses strategies for developing effective assignments and assessments and looks at various instructional approaches and educational tools. The module starts with a discussion of the types of items available in most learning management systems, continues with a look at how this relates to student motivation and performance, and ends with a discussion of various tools and strategies for making instructional design effective in a virtual environment.
• Module 4
• Welcome to Module 4, At-Risk and Underperforming Students. This module explores how students who are at risk or are underperforming can engage effectively in virtual learning environments so they can move their learning forward.
  
• Module 5
• Welcome to Module 5, Your Best Defense is a Good Community. This module focuses on building robust, inclusive learning communities, which is in many ways similar to the customary start-of-the-year activities that take place in traditional schools. These activities include rallies, assemblies, get-to-know-you activities, and back-to-school nights.