- Level Foundation
- Duration 24 hours
- Course by The State University of New York
-
Offered by
About
Are you ready for the new, COVID-forced, online learning paradigm? This competency-based, skill-building course will help non-U.S. students, first-generation immigrants, and foreign-born professionals better understand and master American online learning, as well as other U.S. virtual environments, for college and career success. In the post-COVID era, the course can also be very instrumental in assisting U.S.-based institutions in organizing remote learning activities for their current or prospective international students. The current pandemic has disrupted the world of higher education and work as we know it. Many thousands of international students and professionals can no longer travel internationally at will and must now learn how to effectively study and work remotely. To excel in American online learning and work environments, international students and foreign-born professionals need to know how American universities and companies use the Internet to organize study and work, develop and execute projects, communicate ideas, collaborate, and solve organizational and technical problems. By taking this course, you will learn how to enhance your cultural knowledge and assess potential skill gaps that may hinder your online experience or negatively impact your performance in U.S. virtual learning and work environments. Throughout the course you will systematically review competencies required for online work, come to better understand common barriers for non-native students and professionals, learn how to detect and overcome competency gaps, and develop plans for self-improvement and success. We believe that you will find the course useful and gain new knowledge and skills to become more successful in your remote study/work in the U.S. The course was previously offered as iMOOC101 and iMOOC102 "Mastering American e-Learning". We have updated it to reflect the new realities of the Post (well, not yet!)-COVID era. We will be glad if you could share your own experiences in navigating the new world of remote teaching, learning, and work.Modules
Introduction
1
Assignment
- Do you need this course? Take this self-assessment practice quiz!
5
Videos
- The iMOOC: What this course is about
- Meet Alex, the Global Web-Surfer
- How this course works
- Capstone Project (video and text descriptions)
- Bonus interview: International students in American online courses
2
Readings
- How this course works
- How I can contribute
What would you do if you were the only non-U.S. student in an all-American online classroom?
2
Assignment
- Week 1 Self-assessment
- Week 1 Lesson 2 practice quiz: Barriers and competencies
6
Videos
- Alex: How does it work, actually?
- The problem that we are trying to solve in this course
- How to use a competency-based approach to overcome barriers
- What is uniquely American in U.S.-based online education?
- Bonus lecture: The anatomy of a U.S.-style, student-centered, online learning environment
- Bonus interview: A faculty perspective on working with international students in online environments
What you should know about U.S. online education
1
Assignment
- Week 1 Lesson 3 Practice Quiz: U.S. online education
10
Videos
- Alex: What do you want to know about the online classroom in the U.S.?
- Classroom navigation
- Getting help
- Student information center
- Student services
- Disability services
- The U.S. academic system
- Academic qualifications and degrees
- Bonus lecture: The philosophy of American education
- Bonus lecture: The methodology of American education
3
Readings
- Navigating the online classroom
- Important skills for online learners
- Tips for success in the online environment
Capstone Project Task #1
1
Readings
- Week 1 Learning journal
Week 1 review
1
Assignment
- Week 1 Final quiz: Barriers to U.S. online education
Introduction to Week 2
1
Videos
- Introduction to technology, language, and culture
Technology-related barriers
1
Assignment
- Week 2: Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
5
Videos
- The basics of technology for American e-Learning
- Getting through, obtaining information, using systems
- Refining working skills
- Using e-Learning infrastructure
- Bonus Interview: A Faculty Perspective on Technology-Related Barriers
4
Readings
- The basics of technology for American e-Learning
- Getting through, obtaining information, using systems
- Refining working skills
- Using e-Learning infrastructure
Language barriers
1
Assignment
- Week 2: Lesson 2 Practice Quiz
1
Videos
- Introduction to language and culture
2
Readings
- Language barriers in eLearning
- eLearning vocabulary and other support services
Understanding culture and dealing wih cross-cultural barriers
1
Assignment
- Week 2: Lesson 3 Practice Quiz
5
Videos
- An International Faculty Perspective 1
- An International Faculty Perspective 2
- Culture in general and culture shock
- Some critical cross-cultural skills
- Conclusion to language and culture
4
Readings
- Introduction to culture and culture shock
- Avoiding stereotyping and using generalizations
- Some critical cross-cultural skills
- Basics of American society and culture
Capstone Project Task #2
1
Assignment
- Week 2 Self assessment
1
Readings
- Week 2 Learning journal
Week 2 review
1
Assignment
- Week 2 Final Quiz: Technology, Language, Culture
The American online classroom
1
Assignment
- Week 3: Lesson 1 Practice quiz
5
Videos
- Introduction to Week 3
- Understanding the American Education System - A student's perspective
- The Role of the Online Instructor
- American Culture in the Classroom - A student's perspective
- Understanding the Philosophies Behind American Education - A student's perspective
4
Readings
- Entering the American Classroom
- Student Roles and the Learning Environment
- Faculty Roles
- Classroom Culture
The online environment
1
Assignment
- Week 3: Lesson 2 Practice quiz
4
Videos
- Participating in Classroom Discussions - A student's perspective
- Overcoming Language Barriers - A student's perspective
- Communicating With Your Instructor - A student's perspective
- The Online Learning Environment
3
Readings
- Addressing Faculty
- Class Discussions
- Intercultural and Cross-Cultural Communication
A brief survival guide
1
Assignment
- Week 3: Lesson 3 Practice quiz
4
Videos
- Online library
- Evaluating Information Sources for Audience and Purpose
- Narrowing Your Topic
- Your Research Question and Thesis Statement
8
Readings
- Becoming a Better Writer
- The Varieties and Purposes of Writing
- Audience
- The Writing Process
- Scholarly vs. Popular Sources
- Thesis or Claim
- Essay structure
- Tone, Diction, and Mechanics
Capstone Project Task #3
1
Assignment
- Week 3 Self assessment
1
Readings
- Week 3 Learning journal
Week 3 review
1
Assignment
- Week 3 Final quiz: The U.S. Academic System
Employability skills
1
Assignment
- Week 4: Lesson 1 Practice quiz
10
Videos
- What are employability skills?
- Self-management: Introduction
- What is self-management and its importance in online learning?
- What is problem solving and why is it important?
- What is self-directed learning?
- Employability skills - An interview with Sam Conn
- What is needed for new hires in the US?
- How can you be successful in online classes?
- Bonus video: How can you successfully compete in US environment and importance of pre-requisite courses for classes
- Bonus video: International students in online environments
4
Readings
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Self-directed learning
Leadership, teamwork, and ethics in the U.S. professional context
1
Assignment
- Week 4: Lesson 2 Practice quiz
8
Videos
- Leaders and followers (Case animation 1)
- Leaders and followers (Case animation 2)
- Leaders and followers (Case animation 3)
- Leading and working in a virtual team
- What are the competencies required to successfully navigate the American professional environment and what is needed to be successful in the US workforce?
- An example of participation in a U.S.-based virtual team
- A case scenario of a foreign national in the US: Is it an ethical behavior? (Case animation 4)
- Ethical leadership in the US context
2
Readings
- Leadership in the U.S.
- Teamwork and Ethics in U.S.-based professional environment
Professional contexts in specific areas
1
Assignment
- Week 4: Lesson 3 Practice quiz
5
Videos
- Professional contexts in specific areas: Introduction
- The importance of pre-requisites
- Getting acquainted with the U.S.-based working environment
- How can you better transition to a U.S.-based professional environment
- A case scenario of a foreign national facing a dilemma about seeking legal help in a U.S.-based workplace (Case animation 5)
1
Readings
- Pre-requisites, professional culture and legal contexts in the US based work environments
Capstone Project Task #4
1
Assignment
- Week 4 Self-assessment
1
Readings
- Week 4 Learning journal
Week 4 review
1
Assignment
- Week 4 Final quiz: U.S. Professional Contexts
The Capstone Project
1
Peer Review
- The Capstone Project: Your Plan for Self-Improvement
1
Readings
- Overview for the Capstone Project: A Plan for Self-Improvement
Take the end-of-the-course survey
1
Readings
- End-of-the-course survey
International students share their experiences in U.S. online environments
3
Videos
- Stefan Van der Vyver, South Africa
- Iman Sedighi, Iran
- Irina Zakharova, Russia
About this course
2
Readings
- Course Developers and Contributors
- Re-use of Course Materials
Auto Summary
Unlock the secrets to thriving in the U.S. virtual learning and work environments with the "Mastering Remote Work and Online Study in U.S. in the post-COVID Era" course. Designed specifically for non-U.S. students, first-generation immigrants, and foreign-born professionals, this foundational course empowers learners to navigate the challenges of American online education and remote work effectively. Guided by expert instructors, you'll delve into the intricacies of how U.S. universities and companies leverage the Internet for study, project development, communication, and collaboration. The course addresses common barriers faced by non-native participants and provides strategies to bridge competency gaps, ultimately enhancing your cultural knowledge and online performance. Over 1440 minutes of engaging content, you'll systematically build the skills necessary for success in the post-pandemic landscape, with actionable insights into self-improvement and professional development. This course is available through Coursera under a starter subscription, offering you flexible access to invaluable resources and community support. Whether you're an international student, a foreign-born professional, or part of a U.S.-based institution looking to better support your international cohorts, this course is your gateway to mastering remote learning and work in the U.S. Join us and transform your virtual experience into a pathway to academic and career success!

Dr. Valeri Chukhlomin

Amy Giaculli

Dr. Bidhan Chandra

Dr. Dana Gliserman-Kopans

Dr. Anant Deshpande