Instructional Models:
How students are learning in terms of space, place, and time as defined by Instruction Partners - Instructional Models for School and Systems to define what this looks like for students and educators in addition to defining the requirements for families and educators.
Analog learning: Learning that is occurring offline but can include learning together synchronously via the phone or learning occurs asynchronously
Asynchronous learning: A student-centered independent learning method that uses online resources to facilitate learning without requiring students and instructors to be in the same place at the same time. WI DPI Virtual Learning terms Communication exchanges which occur in elapsed time between two or more people. examples are email, online discussion forums, message boards, blogs, podcasts, etc. VLLA list of terms
Blended learning: A formal education program where students learn in part through online instruction, and in part at a brick-and-mortar location away from home. A student learns at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace; at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home; and the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience” (The Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation). In most blended learning models, the teacher of record is located in the school building, and most of the learning and instruction takes place in the classroom. There are a number of variations for blended learning. VLLA list of terms
Blended learning models: There are a variety of instructional models that fall under the definition of blended learning; station rotation, lab rotation, flipped classroom, individual rotation, flex, a la carte, enriched virtual). For detailed descriptions of each model, please visit the Christensen Institute or Heather Staker What Blended Learning Looks Like in Practice (four models of blended learning defined provide ideas on the physical structure as well as learning structures). VLLA list of terms
Digital learning: Any learning facilitated by technology that gives students some element of control over time, place, path and/or pace. This learning includes instructional content, interactions, data and assessment systems, learning platforms, online courses, adaptive software, personal learning-enabling technologies, and student data management systems. WI DPI Virtual Learning terms
Hybrid course: A hybrid course is one where the majority of the learning and instruction takes place online, with the student and teacher separated geographically, but still includes some traditional face-to-face “seat time”. VLLA list of terms
Hybrid analog learning: learn together on the phone and work independently offline
Hybrid digital learning: learn together online and work independently online or offline
Synchronous online learning: A real-time learning together situation in which immediate two-way communication between the instructor and participants as possible . WI DPI Virtual Learning terms
Blended and Online Instructional Terminology
Accessibility: The commitment to provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use. The person with a disability must be able to obtain the information as fully, equally, and independently as a person without a disability. VLLA list of terms
Competency-based learning: This approach allows students to advance upon mastery of course content. Competency- based education is based on competencies that include explicit, measurable, transferable learning objectives that empower students. Assessment is meaningful. Students receive timely, differentiated support based on their individual learning needs. Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include application and creation of knowledge along with the development of important skills and dispositions. (iNACOL, 2013) VLLA list of terms
Equity: Educational equity means that every student has access to the resources and educational rigor they need at the right moment in their education, across race, gender, ethnicity, language, ability, sexual orientation, family background, and/or family income. WI DPI Every Child A Graduate
Digital equity: includes the four pillars to ensure students can participate in a wide spectrum of digital learning activities: computer at home designated for school use, accessible digital content, digital literacy training for students and educators, access to internet for instructional activities (WI DPI Equity in the Digital Age)
Mentor (aka. Lab Coordinator, Learning Coach, Para-professional, Facilitator): Serve as the liaison between the student, online instructor, families, and administration providing a face-to-face component for online learners. Effective mentors work with the students every day to monitor progress, support them and build trusting relationships. The mentor role is often defined in various ways, and may be referred to by a variety of job titles. VLLA list of terms
Online course: An online course is one where teacher-led education takes place over the Internet, with the teacher and student separated geographically, using an online instructional delivery system. It may be accessed from multiple settings (at home, in school and/or out of school buildings). VLLA list of term
Online learning: Instruction takes place via a web-based educational delivery system that includes software to provide a structured learning environment. It can be a teacher-led education that takes place over the Internet, with the teacher and student separated geographically (also cyberlearning, e-learning, distance learning). WI DPI Virtual Learning terms
Online teacher: A teacher-of-record, instructing a students learning experience in an online, virtual environment or networked environment in which teachers and learners are separated by time and space. Online teachers perform the same instructional and administrative tasks as classroom teachers, although some of the methodologies and instructional techniques vary based on the online environment. Online teachers use many of the same instructional guidelines defined by their school or program to ensure constant contact with students and to monitor student progress. VLLA list of terms
Teacher of record (TOR): An educator who is responsible for a student’s learning activities that are within a subject or course, and are aligned to performance measures, including assignment of the student’s final grade in a course. (Center for Educational Leadership and Technology). VLLA list of terms