New Summer Course! ESLTECH 6282: Teaching Online for K12 Educators

Hi there!

Picture of Dr Tray

The outcomes of “the Rona” has me in deep thought.

So… I hope everyone is taking great care at this unusual time. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in a spirit of immense reflection, thoughtfulness, and introspection. I’ve found that in the absence of all the activities that usually fill my life to effectively distract me from noticing things about myself, I have a lot more time to take inventory of my life. Also, I’ve had so many thoughts about how our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our lives into volatile change and upheaval. I’m hearing the stories of my students and colleagues, family and friends, and I have so much speculation and so many ideas about what the “new normal” is going to look like on the other side of this.

I’m fairly integrated, so “taking inventory” and being thoughtful doesn’t just play out in my personal life, but also in my professional life. As a result, I’ve slightly adjusted the content of a new course that I’m teaching this summer. The course is ESLTECH 6282: Intro to Teaching Online for K12 Educators and the content is focused on research, trends, and best practices in online teaching & learning for K12 settings. Needless to say, the state of our world over the past four months has moved me to include discussions about how online teaching and learning has come into the spotlight (for better or worse) in an effort to keep our teaching and learning efforts moving forward while trying to contain the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus.

The thing is, we haven’t really been experiencing “online teaching & learning” in its truest form, but instead, we have experienced some haphazard version of virtual instruction (which Educause has named “emergency remote teaching” and I agree with), which was implemented to keep to social distancing mandates without canceling school altogether. Teachers and students across the globe are now “forced” to teach and learning through virtual/distance means. I want to hone in on this distinction–it’s important. True online teaching and learning efforts are much more intentionally and carefully planned and implemented. What most are doing now in response to COVID-19 is NOT online teaching learning–not by any stretch. However, this new focus on online teaching and learning could really spark some change in how we approach so many things in education and the the world of work.

So, ESLTECH 6282 is one way I will make an effort to merge our real-life experiences with research/theory. After all, doesn’t this merging reflect what real, in-depth learning experiences should be? Hoping you can join me in my efforts this summer! Read more about the course below…

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ESLTECH 6282: Intro to Teaching Online for K12 Educators

Overview: In this course, students will discuss trends, issues, and research-based best practices of teaching online–specifically related to K12 school settings. We will explore the innovative ways some districts are using online modes to meet student needs and apply some best practices for effective online learning design. We will also discuss how the COVID-19 Pandemic has recently influenced online teaching and learning and how kids, teachers, and caregivers are now experiencing education. Students will be involved in determining some of the course work and will be encouraged to make applications to their authentic work environments.

Dates: July 7-31, 2020

Mode: Fully online with live class meetings (Required attendance!)

Meeting Times: Tue and Thu evenings via Zoom – 7:15-9:30pm (NOTE: We may not meet for the full time every night and we will take a 10-15 minute break).

Teaching Approach: Seminar-style; primarily synchronous discussion-based; guest speakers; student-driven assignments

Syllabus: (Link to syllabus forthcoming!)

One thought on “New Summer Course! ESLTECH 6282: Teaching Online for K12 Educators

  1. I have taken several classes with Dr. Tray in the MLT program and have learned so much from her expertise. Taking one of her classes is well worth it and never disappoints. I highly recommend her style and commitment to her students. Looking forward to taking this class this summer. Thank you for all that you do Dr. Tray!

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