Are you starting up a distance education program for the first time this year? Are you experienced but haven’t had training, or want a brush-up? Have you considered developing a distance, blended, or hybrid learning option at your program but aren’t quite sure where to begin or what the differences are among these three models? Are you a director or instructor who wants to know more about best practices and how these options can benefit your learners? If you answered “yes” to any of these, then this series of three online modules is for you!
In this second module in the three-part series, you will consider which learners are promising candidates for your program, how to find them, and how to support those who need preparation in order to be accepted. We will describe ways to check that they have the skills and resources necessary for study via distance, blended, and hybrid learning and how to orient them according to their strengths and gaps so they are set up for success. It includes a discussion forum to share ideas with colleagues and time with an experienced coach to think through questions or to get suggestions to your program’s specific context.
- Administrators and instructors who are implementing distance, blended, or hybrid learning for the first time this year
- Those who have experience but have not had previous training or want a brush-up
- Those who are considering adding distance, blended, or hybrid learning to their program and wish to have an overview of what is entailed
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
As a Massachusetts adult educator, you benefit from our state’s membership in the IDEAL Consortium, a nationally respected organization that helps member states establish quality, innovative distance education programs.
This module is the second in a series that together comprise a brief version of IDEAL’s year-long training. Each module provides an overview of important elements of starting and running successful distance education classes, including an overview of distance, blended, and hybrid learning options. Module 1 precedes this and Module 3 follows; see below for the schedule and links to register. Together, the three modules will strengthen your program development, staff team building, student instruction and support, and learner outcomes.
Module 2: Opening Your Doors: Recruitment, Screening, and Orientation
The online course will run between November 13 and November 27.
Upon your request, the course facilitator will provide your program with up to one hour of customized coaching to support your capacity to implement the strategies outlined in the course. This opportunity is optional for those who complete the course.
The total time for this PD activity is approximately 6 hours, depending on your pace and style of learning, and including the optional hour of coaching. We estimate the time as follows:
Facilitated online course: approximately 5 hours
Optional: up to 1 hour of coaching for your program
We encourage you to also register for the complementary online modules.
Module 1: (10/23—11/6) Setting the Stage: Planning for a Strong Foundation
This first module reviews three models of distance education classes and how they meet learners’ needs, along with important information for administrators including hiring, planning, and data reporting.
Module 3: (12/4—12/18) In the Class: Instruction and Assessment
This module explains where to find the list of state-approved curricula, supplemental resources to extend learning, how to organize them; how to use types of assessment to know how your students are doing and what they have achieved; and options for staying in communication with learners.
- Describe ways to define your target audience and strategies for recruiting
- Develop a process for screening applicants to identify which learners will be a good match for your distance, blended, or hybrid learning program and what types of support will best enable them to persist and succeed
- Identify key factors in designing an orientation that provides students with the necessary information and skills for a successful learning experience and a plan for reaching their goals
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
Online
United States
