| Course Number: | EDX 5710 S26 |
| Instructor: | Rebecca Lowe, M.S. |
| Location: | Online Asynchronously |
| Dates and Times: | Jan 05, 2026 - Apr 05, 2026 |
| Credits: | 3 Graduate Credits |
| Tuition: | Set by and payable to educational partner NEOTI |
This series of courses is designed to introduce participants to skills and information that will give them a strong foundation of the methodology of online teaching. In this course we will focus on lessons and assessments and deepening our understanding of how best to enhance our content and instruction in response to data and student needs. We will start by exploring the concepts and theories that are central to the field of online teaching and learning, including the history and standards that have helped develop the field, the research available on best practices of effective online instruction, and the current theories on online teaching. We will modify content and assessments to meet the needs of diverse learners, to accommodate alternative means of access, and to provide opportunities for learner growth. This will assist us in creating personalized, online learning environments with students utilizing active learning, real-world application and collaboration. We will explore a range of technologies relevant to online learning while investigating the safe, legal and ethical use of technology for both themselves and their students. Finally, we will design, develop, and implement online assessments to measure student learning as well as exploring data that is available in the learning management system that will allow us to iteratively improve our course and instruction.
Audience: All educators with a Bachelor's Degree
Registration: More course information is provided below. You can register directly with NEOTI using this link or by clicking on the registration link at the bottom of this page.
Course Goals: Participants will be able to demonstrate proficiency in:
Course Objectives:
Module 1: Orientation
During orientation, we will introduce ourselves, review the requirements for the CiOT program and the OTS endorsement, complete a technology tutorial if necessary, and explore the course expectations. An optional synchronous meeting may occur, depending on participant needs.
Module 2: Research and Best Practices
In this module participants will explore the central concepts and current and developing theories that are central to the field of online teaching and learning. They will also explore the National Standards for Quality Online Learning and the ISTE technology standards.
NSQOL: Standard A: Professional Responsibility (A3), Standard G: Assessment and Measurement (G6)
OTS: 1.2
Module 3: Augmenting Content
Participants will explore a pre-existing virtual curriculum to look for places to augment the course content in order to meet the needs of diverse learners, to accommodate alternative means of access, and to provide opportunities for learner growth. A range of technologies relevant to the online learning environment will be explored.
NSQOL: Standard B: Digital Pedagogy (B1, B2, B3), Standard F: Diverse Instruction (F1, F4, F6)
OTS: 1.3, 1.6, 2.2, 2.6
Module 4: Creating an Online Community
This module focuses on helping to build an online community of learners in your class using a variety of technology tools to promote creativity and innovation. Participants will review ways to use real-world application and collaboration between students to help improve active learning. Collaboration theory is discussed including a comparison of collaborative and cooperative learning models and the process of team formation. The use of extracurricular groups such as book groups, student clubs, contests, and events to increase student collaboration is discussed.
NSQOL: Standard C: Community Building
OTS: 2.4
Module 5: Safe, Legal, and Ethical Technology Use
Our students are using the Internet to access their online courses. While they are in that digital space, there are a number of concerns that arise, including online safety, appropriate behavior, and legal issues. In this module, participants will explore safe, legal, and ethical online behavior. They will consider the risks that students may encounter on the Internet and ways to help students stay safe and appropriate while they are using technology.
NSQOL: Standard A: Professional Responsibility (A7), Standard B: Digital Pedagogy (B5), Standard E: Digital Citizenship
OTS: 1.5, 2.5
Module 6: Cultural Diversity
The new Educational Quality Standards going into effect in Vermont in FY26 include a requirement to provide educational opportunities that are equitable, anti-racist, culturally responsive, anti-discriminatory, and inclusive. This module will explore some of the ways that these goals may be met in an online format, with the understanding that this module is not able to be a comprehensive exploration of these topics. We will look at ways to include culturally inclusive materials, support underserved populations, and have our students work together to create a mutually beneficial learning community.
NSQOL: Standard F: Diverse Instruction (F1, F7)
OTS: 2.6
Module 7: Online Assessments
In this module, participants will gain an understanding of how best to design, develop, and implement online assessments. Emphasis will be placed on using online assessments to accurately measure student learning. Ways to modify assessments to accommodate students with special needs in the online environment will be included.
NSQOL: Standard F: Diverse Instruction (F4), Standard G: Assessment and Measurement
OTS:1.6, 1.7, 2.1, 2.8
Module 8: Data Based Interventions
In an online class we have access to much more quantitative data than ever before. That data includes when students logged in, what they were looking at and for how long, how long they took on quizzes, and if they looked at the lessons. That rich data is a great chance for us to identify those students who need additional resources or to inform instructional improvements. In this module we’ll explore what data is available, including assessments results, and use that data to create online interventions to improve student learning.
NSQOL: Standard F: Diverse Instruction (F3), Standard G: Assessment and Measurement
OTS: 1.7, 2.4, 2.6
Module 9: Wrap Up
During our wrap up we will ensure that all of our work is available in our Certificate in Online Teaching portfolio and reflect on what we have learned.
Required Readings may not be included in course tuition. Contact NEOTI directly for more information.
Johnson, C. C. (2023) Online Teaching in K-12 Education in the United States: A Systematic Review. Review of Educational Research June 2023, Vol. 93, No. 3, pp. 353 –411.
Tate, T., & Warschauer, M. (2022). Equity in online learning. Educational Psychologist, 57(3), 192–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2022.2062597
Deady, K. (2017) Assessing your cultural competence: A checklist for culturally responsive teachers. Teach Away. https://www.teachaway.com/blog/assessing-your-cultural-competence-checklist-culturally-responsive-teachers
Burns, M. (2016) The Value of an Authentic Audience. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/value-of-authentic-audience-monica-burns
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services (2021). Vermont Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies. StopBullying.gov. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/vermont
Pate. C. (2020). Strategies for Trauma-Informed Distance Learning. Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety at WestEd. https://www.wested.org/resource/trauma-informed-distance-learning/
(802) 885-8331