The Best Practices for Synchronous/Blended Teaching – PD course is easily accessible through Avenue and Settlement Online after enrollment – see info below. It offers a variety of engaging strategies for synchronous/blended instruction and assessment that are based on findings from a 19-month national research project lead by the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS). As research consultants, Marijke Geurts and Matthias Sturm of New Language Solutions (NLS), played an essential part in the delivery of the project. The partner organizations were a local researcher, instructors and learners participated in the data collection and community of practice building were ISS of BC, NorQuest College, Red River College, YMCA of Greater Saint John, and ISANS.
The PD course is designed to supplement the Best Practices Guide for Synchronous/Blended Learning that was developed for and refined after the field research phase of the project. The guide can be obtained on Tutela and inside the PD course, including customizable Creative Commons licensed checklists. The course also features expert podcasts, videos, and interactive activities. Six structured topics, each featuring self-assessment questionnaires, H5P activities, and discussion forums, allow you to learn and grow at your own pace. Plus, administrators are recognized with a dedicated section highlighting their importance in EAL programs in settlement sectors. Additional resources and sample units for Stage I (CLB 1-4) & Stage II (CLB 5-8) learners round out the course, providing practical tools you can implement immediately.
Ready to take your teaching to the next level? Contact the project lead, Anita Premkumar, at apremkumar@isans.ca to enroll today. Please mention your LMS preference (Avenue or Settlement Online) as well as your role (instructor or administrator) in your email.
This SDI project was funded by IRCC and received financial contributions from NLS.