Book Description

Online learning, social distancing, staggered schedules, hyper hygienic standards, and blended learning are all new realities presented by the toggled term educators will need to overcome to reopen schools in the fall of 2020 and beyond. To address these new realities, Navigating the Toggled Term introduces educators to the new realities secondary education must face as districts and schools combat the challenges brought upon by the Coronavirus pandemic. The "toggled term" represents this reality for schools and districts as they will likely move back and forth between online instruction and face to face instruction as the threat of Coronavirus remains present. The purpose of this book is to provide recommendations on how to take on this increasingly complex reality. Educators are given a foundation of content and skills in educational technology, instruction, Special Education, and parent and student engagement to navigate both online and blended learning educational settings. Educators are then presented with recommendations on how to initially reopen schools with the introduction of blended learning and an overarching instructional model to ensure students are always learning. Educators are then provided with examples of how to further develop their expertise along with developing their brand as an educator. This entails building professional learning networks and utilizing ongoing professional development to take on the challenges presented by the toggled term. The conclusion provides educators with an organizational framework to approach the realities of the toggled term. Once the framework to navigate the toggled term is outlined, the future of K-12 education over the next 12 to 18 months is discussed. The organization of the book includes four parts with thirteen chapters organized thematically into each of the four parts. Each part of the book focuses on specific areas district leaders, teachers, school administrators, and parents need to know to navigate the realities of the toggled term and create the best learning outcomes for our students of all ages and abilities. Part 1. Solidifying Your Schools Edtech and Online Instructional Infrastructure Part 2. Maximizing Synchronous Instruction, Parent & Student Engagement and Communication, Differentiated Instruction, and Navigating Special Education Part 3. Navigating the Fall 2020 and Beyond, Reopening Schools, Learning Models that can Toggle, and Continued Professional Development Part 4. Conclusion - Navigating the Future of K-12 Within a Toggled Term Testimonials "Conceptualizing the return to school after a pandemic is a challenge. Dr. Rhoads provides exceptional ideas and solutions for educators to consider. As a transformational leader and secondary educator, he gives sound advice on how to solidify online instructional infrastructure, maximize instruction, support the needs of all learners, provide professional learning for the educators, and reopen schools that provide a safe, innovative learning environment. This book is a practical roadmap for navigating the challenge of reopening schools." Belinda Dunnick Karge, Ph.D., Professor Doctoral Programs, Concordia University Irvine and Professor Emeritus California State University, Fullerton "As a classroom teacher who integrates educational technology on a daily basis I enjoyed reading Dr. Rhoads book. I really enjoyed Chapter 1: Selecting Edtech Tools for your Online and Blended Learning Classroom. When I think of all the amazing educational technology tools out there, I at times struggle to figure out which ones will produce the best student outcomes and the importance of reflecting after the tool has been integrated. Having read this chapter helped me use Dr.Rhoad's five-step process in selecting my own educational tool." Laura, Edtech Expert and Middle School Teacher