Instructor: Sonja Velasco

Email: svelasco@northpark.edu

This course will cover various aspects of the online educational environment, focusing on the development and creation of an online course. We will discuss learning theories, learning styles, online vs face-to-face (f2f) teaching, educational technologies for online learning, activities and assessments, and we will learn how to bring all this together into one cohesive online class.

Overall Course Objectives:

• Identify popular learning theories and determine how these theories undergird the online learning environment.
• Classify different learning styles according to the Multiple Intelligence Theory; create learning activities demonstrating each of these styles.
• Compare and contrast face-to-face learning to online learning. Critique and summarize the differences between them and their resulting demands for distinct course delivery methods.
• Identify the different online learning tools and their applications in online learning.
• Determine engagement activities and assessments, when to use them, and how to create them.
• Explore the importance of community and the impact it has on the learning process.
• Produce your own mini course integrating all course materials; discuss its implementation, facilitation, and feedback mechanisms.

What to do Now?

On the right side of your screen, note the various parts of this course. I would recommend you start with the Syllabus. Read through it completely; please feel free to ask any questions you may have. I have started a thread in the message board area for any and all course questions. If you have questions about something, most likely someone else does, too!

Next, click on the Meet the Professor button to learn a little more about me. Once you have learned about me, it's time for me to learn about you. Go to the Introduction thread found in the Message board (on the right side of the screen) and tell us all a little something about yourself.

Finally, head over to the Course Units area to start the course.

Contrary to face-to-face courses where I would do most of the talking, online courses empower students to take control of their learning and to collaboratively learn together. We all have different talents and knowledge that we bring to the classroom; let's share that knowledge and help ourselves and our fellow students learn even more. I look forward to learning with you all!