MOST RECENT OFFERING: OCTOBER 16 TO NOVEMBER 13, 2022

The LTLO team at Athabasca University brings you LTLO Express, our 4-week course on the transition to online learning, with a particular focus on youth. This course is sponsored by Athabasca University and is completely free.

You are about to make an important step in what will be a lifelong journey as a learner - for many of you, moving from your familiar classroom to a new world of online learning.

This course will help you through this first leg of your journey as an online learner. It isn’t a technical course, although you will get a chance to explore online technologies within the course itself.

Instead, this course will focus on all the things nobody ever told you about online learning: what the whole experience of learning online is really like, the new kinds of relationships you’re going to with have your teacher and classmates, and how to keep yourself motivated and moving ahead down the tracks towards your goal. Moving your education online can mean adopting a whole new approach to learning, one with more independence but also more responsibilities in deciding when, where, how, and perhaps most importantly, why you’re learning online.

CLOSE X
  LOG IN
NOTE: Canvas registration (Step 2) works best with Chrome or Firefox.
STEP 1: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

I am a student    I am a teacher

Your email
Age  (as of October 16, 2022)
Gender
Country
Other country
Province
City or town
Education level
Teaching level

STEP 2: REGISTER IN THE COURSE
Click below to go to the Canvas registration form. Enter your email address, and if you have never taken a course in Canvas, click "I'm a new user" to create an account. Otherwise, click "I already have an account" and enter your password to log in.
GO TO CANVAS REGISTRATION

If you have trouble registering, contact us.
Note that LTLO Express won't be displayed on your Canvas Dashboard until October 16.

ABOUT THE COURSE
ScheduleOctober 16 to November 13, 2022 (4 weeks)
RegistrationOpen until November 13 · click here
Intended audienceStudents from around the world
LanguageEnglish
Workload5 hours per week (20 hours total)
Challenge levelBeginner
Pre-requisitesNone
FeesNone

LTLO Express is a MOOC, which stands for Massive Open Online Course. A MOOC is a course built for the internet age and our connected, social network world. It is:

Two levels of certification are possible. If you complete all four quizzes with a score of 80% or higher on each, you will qualify for a Certificate of Participation. If you also complete the final assignment, your Online Learning Manifesto, you will earn a Certificate of Completion. There is no charge for certificates.

SEE UNIT DETAILS
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN LTLO EXPRESS

UNIT 1: Why do I want to learn online?
In this first unit, you'll hear Aaric's story and consider your own personal reasons for learning online. This will lead to a discussion of the differences between classroom-based and online learning, formal and informal learning, and active and passive learning. We'll talk about goals and the active learning cycle, and what it takes to be an independent learner. By the end of the unit, you'll be able to state clearly why you want to learn online! After this unit, you will be able to:

  • identify the value to you of making the transition to online learning,
  • compare online learning to socializing and gaming online,
  • explain the differences between formal and informal learning,
  • describe some of the benefits and challenges of becoming a virtual learner,
  • outline the active learning cycle, and
  • explain the role of online learning in your larger learning journey.

UNIT 2: How do I want to learn online?
In this second unit, you'll follow Katie as she finds a way to make her online learning work for her, meeting the requirements of the course while staying true to her own learning preferences. You'll consider your own learning preferences and whether there is such a thing as "the best way to learn." By the end, you'll know how you want to learn and how to make it work in your course! After this unit, you will be able to:

  • identify your own learning preferences,
  • describe the benefits of multiple modes of learning, and
  • explain how to stretch yourself to learn in modes other than your own learning preferences to make the learning more meaningful and interesting for you.

UNIT 3: What do I need to know to learn online?
In this third unit, you'll learn the new rules of the online learning game with Min-jun, the human computer. These include navigating your way around learning management systems, interacting with online instructors, and communicating online to get things done together while staying safe and protecting your privacy. By the end, you'll know what it takes to level up! After this unit, you will be able to:

  • describe some of the features of a learning management system,
  • explain the differences between interacting with a classroom teacher and an online instructor,
  • compare extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and give examples of each, and
  • outline some of the factors you should consider in using online tools responsibly, including online safety, privacy, and academic integrity.

UNIT 4: What are my own secrets to success in online learning?
In this final unit, you'll explore Sophia's world as she reshapes it to support her online learning - and reinvents herself in the process. You'll discover some of the physical, external changes you will need to make in your life to match the virtual change of becoming an online learner, including new workspaces, new relationships, and new habits to live a healthy learning life. By the end, you'll have your own personal learning manifesto! At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

  • describe some of the personal and lifestyle changes in becoming an online learner,
  • define your physical and online learning space,
  • outline the importance of differenet learning networks,
  • create your own learning strategies for success online, and
  • write your own learning manifesto.
ABOUT US

Athabasca University is Canada's Open University and provides learning for life. Through the achievements of its students, faculty and staff, AU stands out as a provider of high quality post-secondary education. Learning to Learn Online is offered through the Centre for Distance Education in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

YOUR INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM
DR. MARTHA CLEVELAND-INNES
Dr. Martha Cleveland-Innes is a Professor in the Centre of Distance Education at Athabasca University where she is heavily involved in the research and practice of blended and online teaching and learning. She holds a PhD in Education with a concentration in higher education and the social world. She joined Athabasca University in 2001 and teaches leadership, blended and online teaching and learning, and MOOC design and delivery.
DAN WILTON
Dan Wilton has over fifteen years' experience as an online instructor. As Course Inspirer and lead facilitator for LTLO, he will be your guide to making this MOOC enjoyable and rewarding. Dan is a doctoral student in distance education at Athabasca University and is a developer and research assistant for the Centre for Distance Education, where he is involved in the design, development, and analysis of several MOOCs and other educational initiatives.
... and our team of fully-certified teacher facilitators.
COMMENTS FROM OUR PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS

"I enjoyed the online learning, especially to understand different learning styles, and facilitator feedback is encouraging."

"Thanks for your helpful course. Keep it up - it's a great pleasure to have this course."

"It will help me in understanding the behavior of my students, difficulties faced, and practical technical issues faced. It helps me to understand and think in a wider perspective."

"The course was amazing."