Course Descriptions

EDIT 641 - Understanding Virtual Schools (1 credit hour)

This one credit hour course is designed to develop students' knowledge about the world of online learning for K-12 students. As part of the course, students will examine the history of online learning, current trends in online learning, and the characteristics and learning needs of K-12 virtual learners. In addition, students will examine and critique sample virtual high school programs as well as selected demonstration courses made available by a wide range of service providers. Finally, students will examine the literature related to the benefits, limitations, and criticisms of virtual learning opportunities for K-12 students. The course culminates in the submission of a briefing paper presenting clear recommendations about the viability of online learning to educational policy makers.

EDIT 642 - Meet The Online Academy (1 credit hour)

This one credit hour course is designed to develop students' knowledge about GMU's virtual high school program, The Online Academy. The course will focus on the design model that structures online courses with particular attention to the role of representative problems, performances of understanding, communities/fields of practice, and the role of online mentors. Those taking the course will role play a virtual high school student and complete one learning module as well as role play a virtual high school student supporting an adolescent online learner. From these role playing experiences, students will come to understand the structure and interactions embedded in the design model.

EDIT 643 - Online Mentoring 1: Building Relationships (1 credit hour)

This one credit hour course is designed to assist students in the development of online mentoring skills related to the integral role that building relationships plays in the success of online learning. Students will examine online mentoring strategies including appropriate questioning, effective listening, assessing communication for underlying messages, and responding to virtual learners' need for connectedness and adult interactions. Through a series of case studies, students will examine online interpersonal communications and discuss ways to improve and/or refine those communications. Finally, students will participate in role playing activities simulating email exchanges with virtual high school learners.

EDIT 644 - Online Mentoring 2: Promoting Self-Regulation (1 credit hour)

This one credit hour course is designed to assist students in the development of online mentoring skills related to the integral role that self-regulation plays in the success of online learning. Students will examine and build expertise in supporting virtual learners' efforts to manage time, use effective notetaking strategies, implement effective text comprehension strategies, and build self-efficacy as learners. Through a series of case studies, students will examine online self-regulation communications and discuss ways to improve and/or refine self-regulatory support for online learners. Finally, students will participate in role playing activities simulating email exchanges with virtual high school learners.

EDIT 645 - Online Mentoring 3: Conceptual Learning (1 credit hour)

This one credit hour course is designed to assist students in the development of online mentoring skills related to the role that support of conceptual and content understanding plays in the success of online learning. Students will examine the language of thinking, thinking dispositions, mental management, strategic thinking, higer order knowledge, and transfer of learning as well as the ways in which these can be supported in online learning environments. Through a series of case studies, students will examine online communications related to conceptual learning and discuss ways to improve and/or refine those communications. Finally, students will participate in role playing activities simulating email exchanges with virtual high school learners.