Develop K-12 Learning Skills for Educators

The course is designed to introduce K-12 teachers and the community to blended and online learning through the instructional media of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). In Level One - Participants will engage in community discourse and online interaction to gain knowledge and understanding of K-12 blended and online learning. They will watch videos and read key documents that address foundational knowledge about trends in K-12 online learning, iNACOL standards, engaged learning strategies, assessment and differentiation in the online learning environment. Learning will be assessed using strategies aligned to knowledge and understanding.

In Level Two - Participants will challenge themselves to become competent in basic K-12 blended and online instruction by evaluating and creating K-12 blended and online learning experiences. During this portion of the MOOC, participants will interact with performance tutorials and access sample K-12 blended and online learning objects. Learning will be assessed using strategies aligned to evaluating and creating. Participants who complete all levels and assessments have an opportunity to earn Professional Learning Units (PLUs) and/or College Credit at Kennesaw State University.

Beginning April 1st, 2016, Kennesaw State's K-12 Blended & Online Learning MOOC will leverage KSU's existing technological strengths and infrastructure to provide innovative teaching and learning opportunities to a "massive" number of students at no cost. The MOOC will expand educational opportunities while showcasing the considerable talents of the Bagwell College of Education (BCOE) faculty. In addition, the MOOC will support KSU's strategic goals of increasing the number of degrees offered online, improving recruitment and becoming more engaged and prominent in the local community, Georgia, and the nation.

This course may be eligible to be evaluated for Kennesaw State University course credit.

  • Anyone can participate in the MOOC. All MOOCs at Kennesaw State University are designed for three levels of participation: Community, Professional, and Credit Seeking. We anticipate most of the participants in this MOOC will be professional candidates who hold a Georgia renewable teaching certificate but also welcome life-long learners interested in blended and online learning.

    All USG sponsored MOOCs, designed and delivered by KSU faculty, are available at no charge to KSU students, faculty and staff via their NetID.

  • Open Online Course: All participants have the option to audit this course at no charge. All elements of the course, except the graded assignments are available.

    Open Educational Resources: This course makes use of open educational resources, and we support the use of these resources and encourage their sharing.

    Course Certificate: Learners who are seeking formal recognition for successfully completing each of the levels of the K-12 Blended & Online Learning MOOC may do so by purchasing the Coursera Course Certificate for $49. This provides access to the graded assignments, as well as a digital course certificate that can be shared with your network. Financial Aid is available for learners who cannot afford the fee. Learn more and apply from within the course. 

    All participants will have access to engaging learning materials, resources, and videos that can be shared. The materials in this course have been designed to create an open educational resource for teacher professional development.

    Teacher Learning Credits: Certified teachers may request continuing education credit from state professional licensing agencies. Credit is not guaranteed and subject to individual state licensing agency decisions.

    3 Hours of Graduate Credit may be available Participants holding a renewable teaching certificate may submit specified materials for transfer credit evaluation (fee-based). With satisfactory results, participants will receive 3-credit hours at Kennesaw State University for satisfying the requirements of ITEC 7480. These credit hours are contingent upon the following:

    1. Acceptance to Kennesaw State University's Graduate College as a non-degree seeking student or upon acceptance to one of the certificate, endorsement or advanced degree programs in the Bagwell College. Current KSU graduate students are eligible to receive credit without reapplication.
    2. Participants must establish a record of academic performance through enrollment at KSU in addition to the MOOC credit for the course to be recorded on a university transcript.

    ITEC 7480: Introduction to Online Learning This course provides an introduction to the field of distance learning and prepares instructional technology leaders to design and facilitate high-quality online learning. Course includes the examination of basic concepts and principles of online learning, the theoretical underpinnings of the field, research and application literature, and distance education delivery technologies. A systematic approach to the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of instruction for online learners is emphasized.

  • Participants with a renewable teaching certificate who submit materials for review and are awarded 3 hours of graduate credit for successfully completing the MOOC can apply that credit towards the completion of the 9 credit hour Online Teaching Endorsement offered by the Department of Instructional Technology in the Bagwell College of Education at KSU. The purpose of the program is to prepare candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become effective online teachers. Over the course of three semesters, candidates in the Online Teaching Endorsement program will complete three (3) online courses (9 credit hours), two (2) field experiences, one (1) online practicum experience, and an electronic portfolio.

    The endorsement consists of the following 3 credit hour courses:

    ITEC 7480 Introduction to Online Learning (3)
    ITEC 7481 Designing & Developing Online Learning (3)
    ITEC 7482 Facilitating Online Learning (3)
    Total: 9 Credit Hours

    Students who complete the Online Teaching Endorsement can apply those 9 credit hours to the following M.Ed. programs in the Bagwell College of Education:

    Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
    Master of Education in Instructional Technology

    The course by itself without the Online Teaching Endorsement can also be applied towards the Master of Education in Teacher Leadership degree.

    For more information about KSU's credit hour bearing online courses and programs, please visit KSU Online.

    Currently enrolled Kennesaw State University students may submit their work for credit evaluation. Credit, if awarded, will be put on a transcript. But applicability to degree program and course of study is only available in those programs expressly listed.

  • Graduate Admissions

    Bagwell College of Education
    Graduate Education Admissions
    bagwell.kennesaw.edu/centers/ess/gac
    470-578-6043

    Program Directors

    Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education
    Dr. Lee Digiovanni
    ldigiova@kennesaw.edu
    470-578-3126

    Masters of Education in Instructional Technology
    Dr. Traci Redish
    tredish@kennesaw.edu
    470.578.3349

    Masters of Education in Teacher Leadership
    Dr. Kimberly Gray
    kim.gray@kennesaw.edu
    470-578-2250

    Online Teaching Endorsement
    Dr. Anissa Vega
    avega4@kennesaw.edu
    470.578.7751

  • Anissa Lokey-Vega, Ph.D.

    Anissa Lokey-Vega, Ph.D.

    Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology

    Department of Instructional Technology

    Read More

  • What are the course requirements and structure?

    The course is designed to introduce K-12 teachers and the community to blended and online learning through the instructional media of a MOOC. Throughout the MOOC, participants will engage in community discourse and online interaction. The first level will include 20 contact hours for 2 PLUs. This level is for all participants. Participants will gain knowledge and understanding of what encompasses K-12 blended and online learning. They will watch videos and read key documents that address foundational knowledge about trends in K-12 online learning, iNACOL standards, engaged learning strategies, assessment and differentiation in the online learning environment. Learning will be assessed using strategies aligned to knowledge and understanding.

    Participants who want to challenge themselves to become competent in basic K-12 blended and online instruction will be able to continue in the MOOC after completing the first level. This second level will include 30 contact hours for 3 additional PLUs. This level will provide participants with the opportunity to show competence in evaluating and creating K-12 blended and online learning experiences. During this portion of the MOOC, participants will interact with performance tutorials and access sample K-12 blended and online learning objects. Learning will be assessed using strategies aligned to evaluating and creating.
    Participants holding a renewable teaching certificate who successfully complete all levels and course assessments will be invited to apply to one of the BCOE's online graduate certificate, endorsement or degree programs and to submit materials for transfer credit evaluation. Submitted materials must meet the standards of the Bagwell College evaluators to be awarded credit. Acceptance into a BCOE Graduate Program is a pre-requisite for the awarding of credit.

    What instructional strategies will be used in the MOOC?

    1. Instructional videos
    2. Key readings
    3. Collaborative Discussion Boards
    4. Quizzes
    5. Exam
    6. Video tours of virtual school partners
    7. Guest video presentations
    8. Interactive open educational resources
    9. Weblinks
    10. Study guides
    11. Participant-created sample syllabi
    12. Participant-created sample instructional designs
    13. Participant-created sample modules
    14. Peer critique and evaluation
    15. Templates
    16. Video tutorials
    17. Formative assessment surveys