The 2020-2021 school year promises to be unpredictable from start to finish. Teachers may be teaching online, on a hybrid schedule, or juggling students both in class and online in a concurrent classroom. Regardless of the situation teachers are in, it’s helpful to have a strong foundation in online and blended learning.
I’ve designed a self-paced online course to support teachers in developing confidence in their ability to teach a blended learning or online course. My goal was to create a course that would help teachers to develop higher levels of self-efficacy navigating various teaching and learning landscapes. Research has established a clear connection between teachers’ feelings of self-efficacy, their level of engagement at work, and their job satisfaction (Granziera & Perera, 2019). Teachers who report higher levels of self-efficacy are:
- more confident when faced with obstacles or setbacks,
- take more risks,
- experiment with innovative approaches to design and facilitation,
- and are more satisfied with their work (Allinder, 1994; Coladarci, 1992; Dembo & Gibson, 1985; Granziera & Perera, 2019; Klassen & Chiu, 2010; Tschannen-Moran et al., 1998).
The course is composed of six modules (overview below). Each module consists of four video lessons, action items, and templates, resources, and links to related readings. The action items encourage teachers to take what they learned in the video lessons to create resources they can use with students. Below is the breakdown of the course content.
A certificate for 30 continuing education units (CEUs) is available for anyone who completes the entire course. It will be issued automatically when a teacher has completed the course. I’ve also partnered with the Teachers College of San Joaquin so that teachers who want to earn PDUs (professional development units) can earn credit for taking the course.
Module 1: Teaching Presence–Designing Your Blended/Online Course
- Lesson 1: Design Your Course Syllabus
- Lesson 2: Set Up Your Virtual Classroom
- Lesson 3: Curriculum Mapping for First Semester
- Lesson 4: Helping Students Get (and Stay) Organized
Module 2: Teaching Presence–Designing Blended/Online Lessons
- Lesson 1: Explore the Building Blocks of a Blended/Online Lesson
- Lesson 2: Formative Assessment Strategies
- Lesson 3: Differentiation
- Lesson 4: Student Agency
Module 3: Teaching Presence–Blended/Online Instruction
- Introduction: Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Instruction
- Lesson 1: Asynchronous Instruction–Tips for Creating Strong Video Content & Engaging Students Around that Instruction
- Lesson 2: Flip & Engage–Design a Three-Part Flipped Lesson
- Lesson 3: Synchronous Instruction with Video Conferencing
Module 4: Teaching Presence: Facilitating Learning Online
- Lesson 1: Designing Dynamic Discussion Questions
- Lesson 2: Teaching Students to Say Something Substantial
- Lesson 3: Deciding on a Realistic Facilitation Role
- Lesson 4: Facilitating Synchronous Online Discussions
Module 5: Social Presence–Building Community Online
- Lesson 1: Creating a Safe Space Online
- Lesson 2: Getting to Know Your Students Online
- Lesson 3: Building Community with Online Icebreakers
- Lesson 4: Checking-in and Asking for Feedback
Module 6: Cognitive Presence–Student-centered Blended/Online Learning
- Lesson 1: The Station Rotation Model
- Lesson 2: Choice Boards
- Lesson 3: Playlist Model
- Lesson 4: 5Es Learning Experience
School leaders interested in purchasing multiple licenses for your teachers can complete this form.
56 Responses
What is the cost?
Hi Patty,
The course is currently on sale for $75 for individual purchase. There is also a link to a form that school leaders can fill out if they are interested in buying multiple licenses.
Take care.
Catlin
Is this still on sale?
Hi Brigid,
No, it was on sale to start, but now it is full price. If there is another sale, I’ll make an announcement.
Catlin
Good morning. Is there a price list for the licenses? Thank you.
Hi Leatriz,
Yes, if you click the link to the course, you’ll see it is on sale for $75 right now for individual purchases. There is also a link to a form if you are interested in purchasing bulk licenses for teachers at a school site.
https://catlintucker.teachable.com/
Group – School – District License Pricing
Take care.
Catlin
Hello!!
This looks very exciting!! I have 2 questions. Number one, would you consider this to be an introductory course or something that would also benefit a teacher who has some experience with blended learning/ playlists/ hyperdocs? Number two, how long do students have access to the materials?
I find your work and resources so inspiring and helpful!
Thank you for what you do!!
Tracy
Hi Tracy,
Yes, I think this course is more of an introduction. I am hoping to do a “next level” follow up at some point if there is a demand for that.
Teachers will have ongoing access to the course after purchasing 😊
Thank you for your kind words about my work!
Take care!
Catlin
Is there a reduced price for buying multiple licenses?
Hi Lisa,
If you complete the form below, you can ask about pricing for multiple licenses.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3H8KHQjevdlGO0Ht_TGIMxAwE0xZ5i9YJi6hMIRoi4opUlQ/viewform
Take care.
Catlin
How long do teachers have access to the course after purchasing it?
Hi Tearra,
You will always have access to the course once you purchase it 😊
Catlin
Great. Thank you!
What grade levels would you feel this is geared toward? K-12 or something more specific?
I teach Pre-K and we will be doing eLearning and Virtual at the beginning of the year. Will this course cover strategies that can be used with that age group?
Hi Marilyn,
I have spent the last four months working with PreK-12, so I believe there are strategies in the course that would be useful to PreK. That said, I designed it with K-12 in mind.
Let me know if you have additional questions!
Take care.
Catlin
What grade levels/ages is this most appropriate for?
Hi Marybeth,
It is designed for K-12.
Catlin
Is the course mainly for k-12 classes/instructors or could it be applied to higher ed classes?
Hi Natalia,
It is designed for K-12 though there are discrete skills that could be helpful at post-secondary.
Take care.
Catlin
I teach higher ed and I found the course super helpful!
Hi! Approx how many hours would it take to complete the 6 Modules?
Hi Anthony,
It is approximately 30 hours.
Take care!
Catlin
Hi! My school is going the hybrid method, which means we’ll have students live in class and some watching from home via zoom and others totally online. Would this be helpful?
Hi Kristen,
Yes, I believe it would be useful as you prepare. You can review the course content and lesson topics to make the final decision, but the skills covered are designed to help teachers be successful in a blended or online course.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Catlin
Do you accept purchase orders from schools?
Hi Patricia,
Yes, you can use a purchase order. If you fill out the form below, you’ll be contacted by the person handling sales and he can help you with a purchase order.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3H8KHQjevdlGO0Ht_TGIMxAwE0xZ5i9YJi6hMIRoi4opUlQ/viewform
Let me know if you need anything else!
Catlin
How many hours do you expect this course to take (obviously recognizing that there will be variants depending on different start points of understanding)?
I have asked my district for PD units for doing the course but they are querying that this is equivalent to 30 CEUs and how I will have evidenced this learning.
Hi Louise,
It is estimated to take 30 hours to work through the six modules (videos and action items). You will receive a certificate of completion when you are done that you can show your district.
Take care.
Catlin
Hi. My school is interested in buying 7 licenses. Is there a discount? My principal put me in charge of our school’s cohort. How do we register?
Hi Lori,
If you fill out the form at the bottom of the blog post for bulk purchases, you will hear directly from one of the people handling the sales. They can answer questions about the cost and registration.
Let me know if you need anything else. I hope you and your teacher enjoy the course!
Take care.
Catlin
Hi,
I filled out the form. I’ve been trying to get a response for over a week. I need 7 licenses. Any way to expedite the process? We would love to get started!
Hi Lori!
I apologize for the wait. I just sent the people handling sales a message as I think they accidentally skipped your first request, which I see was on July 29. You should hear back soon!
Catlin
Hi Catlin,
Your course is wonderful! I find it to be a road map for the steps in lesson planning that I need to take to be ready for the school year. Going through this course is just like having you as a personal instructional coach. It is definitely time well spent. The way you organized the modules is so helpful!
I just finished Module 3 and I have a couple of questions:
1. After viewing your example of how to teach a vocabulary lesson, would this be the only lesson you would post for that day of learning in reading? (in an ELA class) In an earlier module you mentioned that we won’t be able to pack as many activities into a day as we do in the brick-and-mortar setting. I am trying to gauge if that is just one daily activity.
2. When organizing the folder for the week, could there be a reading activity and a separate writing activity? They are taught as 2 separate courses in a block of time, but I think it will be easier for students if it is located in one folder .
Thank you so much for creating this course!
Hi Chris,
I’m thrilled to hear you are enjoying the course! Depending on the scope of the pre and post-video activities and the length of the video, I think it is realistic to do all three in a single online lesson. If you are worried about the time and overloading students, you may want to engage them in the pre-video activity and video lesson on one day and the post-video extend and apply activity can take place on the following day. It is flexible. I’d recommend assuming everything will take longer than we expect at the beginning then, as students acclimate to the online learning routines, you can increase the load.
Yes, I don’t see any reason why a reading activity cannot be paired with a writing activity! If you think it is easier for them to locate the activities if they are in the same folder, then do what you think will work best for them.
Let me know if you have any other questions as you continue to work through the course!
Catlin
I just signed up for the course tonight and am super excited! Thank you for offering the course as well as the discounted price.
I’m so glad, Buffy! I hope you enjoy it!
Catlin
I have been trying to purchase multiple licenses for my staff and am still awaiting a response. Half of my teachers have already taken the course and loved it! Now I need 40 licenses for the other half of my staff. AND, I need them ASAP for tomorrow’s teacher work day. I have completed the form and sent an email to AJ. Now starting to panic a bit as I have not heard back. I need to be able to purchase 40 licenses today please!
Hi Lori,
I just gave the people handling sales a heads up that you have an urgent request. You should hear from them today!
Take care.
Catlin
Hi Catlin,
I loved this course! Thank you so much for your work. However, in terms of the 30 CEUs are you calculating them based on the Department of Education:
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/ceu.doc
My HR wants me to verify with you.
Thanks so much,
MB
Hi Marlo,
Yes.The course is listed as 30 CEU Hours upon completion. Some schools just process the hours (30) and others divide it by 10 (per some of their guidelines) which would make it 3 CEUs. That is why we add the total hours on the certificate so schools can decide based on their practices.
I hope that helps.
Catlin
I am looking at purchasing this. I see lots of people say that it is on sale – but I see $125. Did I miss the sale window?
Hi Jennifer,
Yes, it was on sale through August 5th. Schools buying bulk licenses can get the course at a discount. Were you just hoping to get it for yourself?
Catlin
Hi Mrs. Tucker!
You probably don’t remember me, but you were my high school English teacher at Windsor High School way back in 2009 or 2010. I believe it was one of the three core classes with Mr. Saldana and Mrs. Hadley-Hill, if I remember correctly. You were a teacher that I’ve always remembered because of the HUGE impact you had on my writing and overall academic confidence. I went into my undergraduate program and into my master’s program with a LOVE of writing. The funny thing is, I became a teacher too! I am now an Education Specialist in San Carlos and I teach in a Learning Center for 4th and 5th graders with special needs. Our principal recently asked us to sign up for your course in preparation for distance learning and as soon as I started, I was immediately so surprised and excited to see you appear on the screen. I’m going into my 5th year of teaching and like many others, I’m nervous for what this year will hold, but excited for the challenge nonetheless. I am so grateful and excited to learn from you once again! Thanks for providing such a wonderful course.
Take care,
Ashton Beth
Hi Ashton!
Of course, I remember you! It is lovely to hear from you. This note made my day! Yes, I believe our core was called the Luminescent Core with Hadley-Hill and Saldana when you were there. Hadley-Hill is still at Windsor, and Saldana teaches at Sonoma Valley down the hall from my husband now. Small world!
I’m thrilled that my class had a positive impact on your writing and your overall academic confidence. That’s the best compliment I could get from a former student. Thank you for taking the time to write to me!
Everyone in education is nervously preparing for this school year. It doesn’t seem to matter how long people have been teaching, this year is daunting. Few have received training on how to teach online or blended learning courses. I am happy to hear your school purchased licenses to support you as you gear up for an online start to the year. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions if you have them as you work through the course!
Take care!
Catlin
Catlin – I just completed this course and loved it! It has been so helpful in getting me started for the new school year.
You mentioned a slide deck that you were going to add to the resources in Module 6 Lesson 4. You showed a video of it and said we would be able to download and edit it. It was called “What Do You Want To Learn” and intended to “guide” students through the 5E Instructional Model. Could you please share a copy of that with me. I think it will be very helpful for my students!
Many thanks for all the great guidance in helping me start a new adventure with remote learners!
Hi Janie,
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the course! That’s wonderful to hear.
My apologies for the confusion. I shared the blog below that has the template in it. Let me know if you have any issues making a copy of the Google Slide template.
https://catlintucker.com/2020/05/what-are-you-curious-about
Catlin
Hi Catlin – I took your course and it was REALLY helpful. I’m looking for a document you mentioned, something like a course overview/outline for parents and students. You suggested putting most of this information in one document only rather than several separate documents (ex. grading practices, rules for online classes, course syllabus, how to reach me). I am creating mine now and didn’t know if you have a template for one I could use? Just looking for a little extra guidance. Thanks so much for any help you can give and your course was great!!!
Hi Betsy,
I shared two different syllabus templates in the course (a Google Document syllabus and a Google Slide syllabus). That was where I was encouraging teachers to include all of the information about their grading practices, expectations, policies, etc. It is definitely helpful to have that all in one digital space where parents and students can access it.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed my course! That’s wonderful to hear 🙂
Take care.
Catlin
Catlin
Is this course still available? I cannot get it to open for payment either with PayPal or my credit card.
Hi Briday,
I just tried it and it worked for me. Maybe there was a momentary glitch. Let me know if you continue to have issues accessing it.
https://catlintucker.teachable.com/
Catlin
Hi Catlin,
I am a huge fan and have conducted many courses based on your books and articles. I am looking forward to facilitating a book study this fall on your latest book. I also signed up for your course, “Blended and Online Learning.” I loved the video on choice boards. I would like to present this video at Superintendent’s Conference Day this November. Is there any way I can download the video or find it on YouTube?
Hi Kim,
Unfortunately, those videos are part of the course and not available outside of the course. Is there something you need from that video specifically that I can help with?
Catlin
Hi Catlin,
Thank you for the timely course! I cannot seem to find where to access the shared resources. Specifically I am looking for the Google doc and Google slide syllabus templates you mentioned in module 1. Could you please point me in the right direction? Thank you,
Amy
Hi Amy,
I’m thrilled you are enjoying my course! All of the materials and resources are shared as Google documents and slides. All you have to do is be logged into a Gmail account (so copies have somewhere to save) then click “File” at the top of the resource (listed below the videos) and select “Make a copy” or “Download as a Word or PPT” file.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Take care.
Catlin
Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.