Approaches to Curricula in Digital Environments
Instructional Activities and Approaches
Assessment in Online Learning Spaces
Conclusion
3 Preparing the Learning Experience
Learning Management Systems
Organization and the Learning Experience
Other Dos and Don’ts of Online Learning
Conclusion
4 Initiating the Learning Experience
Foundations for Learning in Your Classroom
Continuous Engagement
Conclusion
5 Maintaining the Momentum in the Learning Experience
Digitally Enhanced Learning and Strategic Facilitation
Growth Mindsets in Online Learning
Conclusion
6 Teaching Thoughtful Online Collaboration
Goals and Commitments
Collaboration and Teaming
Guidelines for Online Conversations and Collaboration
Conclusion
7 Managing and Overcoming Toxic Conversations
Bad Conversations
The Roots of Challenging Behaviors
Plan to Prevent Toxic Behaviors
Academic Cyberbullying in Threaded Conversations
Plan to Respond to Inappropriate Posts and Toxic or Negative Conversations
Conclusion
8 Concluding the Learning Experience
The Power of Writing and Learning Consolidation
Student Reflection
Facilitator Reflection
Activities to Strengthen Course Conclusion
End With a Smile
Conclusion
Unevolved Learning
Brilliant Innovations, Blurred Lines, and Lush Gardens
About the Authors
Casey Reason, PhD, is the director of the Center for the Advancement of Professional Learning Communities and Virtual Collaboration for the University of Toledo. An expert in leadership, school improvement, virtual learning, and the professional learning community (PLC) process, Casey’s mission is to help support sustainable reform in education by using PLCs in conjunction with modern-day applications of technology and emerging brain science. A former urban high school principal and central office administrator, Casey has worked with school leaders all over the world to improve the academic achievement of the learners they serve. He has published numerous books, and his publications have been endorsed by best-selling authors Ken Blanchard and Charlotte Danielson. In 2016, he coauthored Professional Communities at Work and Virtual Collaboration with transformational thought leader Richard DuFour. Casey is also a distance-learning designer and strategist, winning the 2010 Blackboard International Course Designer of the Year award, a recognition featured on Forbes.com. He also works with Solution Tree’s online digital courses and is the developer of the BEST digital leadership solution, a one-of-a-kind leadership and school improvement digital network serving school leaders from all over the world. He and his twin sons Brice and Kiah live in Scottsdale, Arizona.
To learn more about Casey’s work, visit his website www.caseyreason.com, or follow @CaseyReason on Twitter.
Lisa Reason, PhD, has been teaching and designing digital graduate curricula for over twelve years. She has successfully led the development and design of numerous masters and doctoral programs and is widely recognized as an expert in online learning. Lisa was the recipient of a doctoral honorarium in 2011 for distinguished faculty and outstanding instructional practice by Grand Canyon University. She was also the recipient of four separate honorariums from Capella University for excellence in scholarship and significant contributions to professional practice. Lisa has been a featured presenter at several scholarly and practitioner-based conferences and has chaired numerous dissertations and research initiatives on topics related to digital learning, instructional practice, leadership, and school reform. Lisa resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her twin son Brice and Kiah.
To learn more about Lisa’s work, follow @LisaReason1 on Twitter.
Crystal Guiler, as a facilitator, coach, district administrator, curriculum specialist, lead curriculum developer, instructional designer, and virtual learning project manager, has been a leader in K–12 digital learning for over ten years. Crystal has worked extensively with Florida Virtual School, the largest provider of K–12 digital education in the United States. She has developed over seventy higher education and K–12 digital courses and has supervised the development of hundreds of additional digital training solutions.
To book Casey Reason, Lisa Reason, or Crystal Guiler for professional development, contact [email protected].
INTRODUCTION
Tools and the Master Craftsman
We wrote this book to help educators enhance student learning in the digital age. We recognize that the technology tools that teachers have at their fingertips today are transformational; however, let’s be clear, it’s not about the new tools. It never will be. It’s about teachers finding and choosing new tools, and then learning to skillfully use them. When the teacher learns to use these tools, the tools then become an expression of his or her teaching craft. Over time, the teacher transforms his or her approach to supporting the learning process.
We