LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Teaching online courses — Carolina Online Teacher Program

Take your teaching into a new realm—the online classroom. You’ll learn the pedagogy of online courses, experience the realities and complexities of online learning, and discover specific techniques for successfully building an online learning community.

Learn more

Related pages

Related topics

Help

Please read our disclaimer for lesson plans.

Legal

The text of this page is copyright ©2012. See terms of use. Images and other media may be licensed separately; see captions for more information and read the fine print.

Course description

Have you ever thought about taking your teaching into a new realm—the online classroom? With more and more schools using online courses to offer advanced or specialized coursework to their students, as well as an integrated professional development solution, online teachers are in demand. This course prepares educators interested in teaching online courses for the virtual classroom. It is also a great overview for administrators interested in implementing online courses into their K-12 or professional development offerings.

Teaching Online Courses will focus on concepts, ideas, and strategies related to facilitating effective online learning. We’ll look at the dynamic and complex relationship between content, pedagogy, and delivery.

You will gain first-hand experience as an online learner, and through this experience, develop strategies that promote interaction and collaboration. Participants will be expected to fully participate in a range of activities including discussions, group and individual assignments, self-reflections, and peer reviews. Emphasis will be placed on building a strong, dynamic online learning community.

Course objectives

  • Learn the pedagogy of online courses through readings, participant research, and experiences
  • Experience through interaction the importance of developing a community within an online course and specific techniques for successfully building a learning community
  • Research and discuss the pros and cons of learning groups
  • Research and practice the theories of online discussion moderation skills
  • Review online standards
  • Cooperate and collaborate with peers in various types of activities that work successfully in online environments
  • Evaluate the importance of providing and receiving peer feedback and support
  • Learn the realities and complexities of online learning through experience as an online student

Course information

Syllabus
You can view the full course syllabus here.
Audience
This course is appropriate for teachers of all subjects and grade levels who wish to teach online.
Time commitment
5-7 hours per week
Duration
Five weeks
Credits
3.0 CEUs

Standards alignment

North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards (2009)

  • Goal 1: Teachers demonstrate leadership.
  • Goal 2: Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students.
    • Objective 2.04: Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of students with special needs.
  • Goal 4: Teachers facilitate learning for their students.
    • Objective 4.01: Teachers know the ways in which learning takes place, and they know the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students.
    • Objective 4.03: Teachers use a variety of instructional methods.
    • Objective 4.04: Teachers integrate and utilize technology in their instruction.
    • Objective 4.05: Teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Goal 5: Teachers reflect on their practice.
    • Objective 5.03: Teachers function effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.