ABSTRACT
Chapter 7 offers readers a means to understand online learning, some of its different forms and how differing approaches and processes can be used to support effective learning and educational change. Four scenarios are drawn from online and blended learning models; applications that are appropriate for both formal (K-12 and university) and nonformal (professional development, training) educational contexts around the world. The use of scenarios allows us to visualize what happens in “virtual classrooms” and online
learning contexts. These scenarios offer snapshots of how an online course activity may be designed by an instructor and be experienced by the learner in terms of social and intellectual interaction online. Specific examples from semi-fictionalized online learning applications help readers to envision typical “real” curricula and student interactions. Four OCL pedagogic scenarios from real online schools and courses are presented, although some of the details have been changed for privacy.
