Teaching Online and Building Collaborative Learning Communities (10cr)

Objectives (course unit)

Teacher students
• can describe the characteristics of online teaching and learning
• can demonstrate understanding of theories underpinning learning communities
• can apply education technologies, social media tools in teaching and facilitation
• are digitally literate
• can describe the pedagogical foundations of meaningful e-learning
• know the principles of instructional design
• know how to operate in a global collaborative learning environment online
• build and foster learning communities and communities of practice
• have developed their professional identity as an online facilitator and teacher
• have increased their professional networks

Content (course unit)

This module comprises themes such as planning of online teaching, creating of online learning environments, multi-skilled teaching, networking and training towards online education applications design.

• What is a learning community?
• What is a community of practice and learning as social participation?
• How can you support collaborative learning in an online environment?
• How can a teacher make use of application design in planning teaching and learning?
• What factors contribute to meaningful e-learning?
• How can you incorporate the idea of “learning everywhere and all the time in communities” into a seamless flow of learning for students?
• Why are multi-professional networks important in education?

Exam schedules

No test

Assessment methods and criteria

Self-, peer- and teacher assessment on all activities online and submitted assignments. Assessment according to the criteria given in the assessment table.

Assessment scale

Pass/Fail

Teaching methods

Facilitated independent and collaborative studies in small groups, flipped classroom, enquiry based learning

Learning materials

Online materials and negotiated literature

Student workload

7 cr =189 hours of student work (contact hours 20%)

Content scheduling

Teaching planning, assessment, teaching in e-learning environment and networking practice

Completion alternatives

Accreditation of prior and experiential learning possible

Practical training and working life cooperation

Teaching and facilitation practice in an authentic environment or simulation in own study group

International connections

Student collaboration with students/staff from University of Staffordshire and Coventry University in the UK

Further information

Students work individually and in small groups on their contact education days, in other small group meetings and online. The module also includes applying modern education technology in teaching and learning online and offline.

Assessment criteria - pass/fail (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Assessment is based on the criteria described in the assessment table.The scale is pass - to be improved - fail