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, “Expanding Access through Distance Education” is for you!
This third module in the series explains where to find the list of state-approved curricula, supplemental resources to extend learning, and how to organize them. Options for staying in communication with learners are discussed. It also covers types of assessment, how they support instruction and learning as well as retention, and ways to carry them out in the distance learning environment. 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 last 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, blended, and hybrid learning classes. Modules 1 and 2 precede this one; 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 3: In the Class: Instruction and Assessment
- The online course will run between December 4 and December 18
- The facilitator will provide your program with up to one hour of coaching if requested
The total time for this PD activity is approximately 6 hours, depending on your pace and style of learning, 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 - Setting the Stage: Planning for a Strong Foundation (10/23—11/06)
This first module reviews various models of distance and blended learning and how they meet learners’ needs, along with important information for administrators including hiring, planning, and data reporting.
Module 2 - Opening Your Doors: Recruitment, Screening, and Orientation (11/13—11/27)
The second module helps you to 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.
- Describe reasons and options for communicating with learners
- Use considerations for selecting a curriculum and supplemental resources
- Track learner progress
- Stay informed of technology innovations
- Determine how to use various types of assessment by understanding how they support instruction, learning, and retention, and ways to carry out assessments in the distance and blended learning environments
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
Online
United States
