Schedule | October 7 to November 10, 2024 |
Registration | Open until November 10 · click here |
Intended audience | Secondary and post-secondary students, as well as the teachers who support them, from around the world |
Language | English |
Workload | 5 hours per module (25 hours total) |
Challenge level | Beginner |
Pre-requisites | None |
Fees | None |
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe what it means to learn - anywhere, anytime.
- Clarify personal learning preferences.
- Identify common components of an online learning environment.
- Compare differences between online and traditional learning.
- Plan for areas of personal adjustment required for success in online learning.
- Analyze different types of learning environments including a personal learning environment.
- Explore and employ effective online communication tools and strategies.
- Describe the role of an online learning community in supporting learning.
Each week includes about 5 hours of readings, activities, and discussions. If you pass all five quizzes, you will qualify for a Certificate; there is no charge for certificates.
MODULE 1: What is learning? What kind of a learner are you?
In this first module, we will focus on the meaning of learning and knowledge and discuss questions such as "How do people learn?" and "How do we know if learning has occurred?" Different types of learning preferences will be explored, and you will follow a process which leads to discovering your own personal learning preferences and what this means for you as a learner. By the end of the module, you'll be able to:
- describe the meaning of learning and knowledge,
- explain how people learn and how to determine if learning has occurred,
- identify various learning styles and preferences, and
- recognize and describe personal learning preferences.
MODULE 2: What can I expect in the online learning environment?
Module 2 material aims to help you understand the dynamics of online learning and to begin to identify possible areas of adjustment. Later in the course, we will discuss these adjustments in more depth and provide you with the tools and resources to carry out your strategy for success. After this module, you will be able to:
- list the primary benefits of online learning,
- describe common attributes of online learning,
- outline the differences between the online learning environment and face-to-face learning, and
- clarify some common myths and misconceptions related to online learning.
MODULE 3: Becoming an online learner
We will now take a look at some of the distinguishing factors among online learning environments. This module will also explore the common tools used in online delivery of education such as Learning Management Systems, social media and the internet in general. The material in Module 3 should help guide you in your decision as to what type(s) of learning environment(s) are most suitable for your learning needs. By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- describe the distinguishing factors among online learning environments,
- recognize different types of online courses and identify the purposes of these models,
- identify and explain the use of common tools used in online learning,
- explain the benefits of using a Learning Management system, and
- describe how the internet and social media are used in online learning.
MODULE 4: What do successful online learners do?
In Module 4, we will take a look at practices of successful online learners and discuss the concept of role transition: "Where am I now and where do I need to be, and how do I get there?" This module should take you a step closer to formulating your strategy for adapting to the online learning environment. At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- describe the role transition from face-to-face learning to online learning,
- identify practices of successful online learners,
- explain the dynamics of communication in online learning, and
- reflect on your personal areas of adaptation and how to approach making these adjustments.
MODULE 5: Your personal strategy for success in online learning
Now that you have spent some time exploring your personal learning preferences, online learning environments, and the habits of successful online learners, you should be able to finalize your areas for adjustment and strategies for making the transition to online learning. By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- thoroughly describe yourself as a learner,
- describe the benefits of an online learning community,
- explain the concept of the personal learning network (PLN), and
- apply knowledge and skills from this course to develop a personal strategy for success as an online learner.