2013 Blackboard Catalyst Bringing an Elementary Award Winner! Developed and taught by School Classroom to Life—Online Sandra Bennett, Instructional Designer and Integrated Methods for Teaching Elementary Reading and Writing Adjunct Intructor, is Wilmington University’s first Elementary Education Methods course to be delivered 100% online—including the required classroom observation. It encourages an active learning environment that fully engages students. The top three exemplary practices include:

WAYS WE’RE AL Enhanced instructor availability A variety of content delivery methods creates a more effective learning environment. keeps students captivated while accelerating the learning process. • Instructor introduction video increases the virtual presence of the instructor • Virtual classroom observation lets students experience an • Narrated presentations outline assignments in mp3 format elementary school classroom online using Education in Video • Virtual office hours and supplemental lectures • Sequential learning modules provide all learning introduce live interaction and collaboration activities in one location with no clicking around. • Blogs, discussion boards, surveys and polls • Interactive media streaming includes YouTube videos and tutorials, podcasts, Prezi presentations. keep students motivated and engaged • Multimedia lesson plan tutorials, templates, and how-to videos teach students how to create thematic units. Maintaining consistent format and design establishes best practices and polishes course content.

• Sequential content builds upon each previous lessons • Learning modules follow a consistent format including detailed lists of objectives, outcomes, and activities • Menu items represent “best practices” for course navigation, with checklists, guidelines, and tutorials • Rubrics and grading criteria are provided to identify the course requirements and expectations • Group links encourage student collaborations and facilitate group projects

Scan code to tour the course wilmu.edu | 1-877-967-5464 or visit: wilmu.edu/BbWorld13 2013 Blackboard Catalyst Award Winner!

Developed and taught by Sandra Bennett, About Wilmington University Instructional Designer and Adjunct Intructor, Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit university that offers degree programs in a wide range of career Wilmington University areas. Since 1968, Wilmington University has served nontraditional and traditional students seeking flexible scheduling, convenient classroom locations, and affordable tuition. The University offers traditional classroom and online learning options at 14 locations in , and . All qualified students are welcome in the University’s undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.

About the Instructor Sandra Bennett is Instructional Designer for Online Learning and Adjunct Instructor for the Wilmington University College of Education. She is also the sole designer of this Integrated Methods course, which has been listed on several sites including CourseSites.com and Blackboard.com. Ms. Bennett is a recipient of the 2013 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Course. She holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood education and a master’s degree in education with a reading specialist certification from . She has 22 years of experience as a professional educator and over 10 years of experience as an instructor at Wilmington University.

Sandra Bennett Instructional Designer and Adjunct Instructor, College of Education (302) 356-2456 [email protected]

Scan code to tour the course or visit: wilmu.edu/BbWorld13

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