Online teaching in K-12 : models, methods, and best practices for teachers and administrators

Bryans-Bongey, Sarah & Kevin J. Graziano, eds. Online teaching in K-12 : models, methods, and best practices for teachers and administrators. 2016. 324p. ISBN 978-1-57387-527-1. Available at PROF 371.33 ONL on the library shelves.

As more and more instruction takes place online, teachers have to transit from only teaching in a face to face environment to teaching classes partly or wholly online. Many of the skills required to teach in an online environment are similar, but there are enough differences that professional development must occur for teachers to be successful teaching online courses. This book is thus an important step in learning the intricacies of teaching online, from selecting a learning management system to addressing classroom issues such as motivation and participation.

Written by more than twenty experts in the field of online learning, this book presents methods, models, and best practices that teachers and administrators can implement to successfully transition from a face to face to an online environment. For the vast majority of teachers, who remain in a physical classroom, this book still contains a vast amount of resources that can easily be implemented and used, from websites designed to create interactive lessons and posters to video-editing software that can be deployed to capture screens and lessons before broadcasting them out to students and the rest of the world.

Each of the seventeen chapters explore an important aspect of online teaching. In the first part, online learning management systems are described. Skills and qualities that online teachers should possess are presented. Unlike a face to face school community, it can be hard to develop a cohesive online community. A chapter presents information on how to do so effectively, while another chapter explores tools and techniques to promote student engagement and learning online. Planning tools are demonstrated, and a framework for effective technology integration is proposed.

In the second part, five chapters explore how to effectively support a diverse student population. Flipped learning is examined, and effective means of communication with parents and students are presented. Special education transition to an online class can be problematic, so solutions are proposed. Finally, assistive technology’s potential to address students’ learning needs is described.

The final part reviews implementation strategies. Project-based learning is an effective way to implement online activities. Open and free educational resources for the K-12 environment and mobile apps are reviewed. Tools and strategies for effective online assessment are presented.

This book provides an excellent overview of the current online learning environment, and teachers and education professionals will benefit from exploring the issues presented on its pages.