Academic Dean Dr. Jeneen Graham’s reflections on teaching an online course through edX was the headlining article for the National Association of Independent School’s Bulletin last week. Dr. Graham’s piece “What Teaching a MOOC with edX Taught Me,” was featured in the Independent School Magazine Blog, Independent Ideas.

Dr. Graham shares her experience teaching more than 30,000 students from 196 countries and how she grappled with the differences between a traditional and virtual classroom. Further, her curiosity to learn more about this burgeoning educational setting coupled with her call to service, motivated her to dive in. Dr. Graham said, “Like many educators, I have been both intrigued and concerned about the rise of online education. As a former university researcher, I believe it is important to implement curricula, programs, and technology based on research supporting their efficacy. Yet the academic research to support online learning has not kept pace with the growth in this domain. A meta-analysis by the U.S. Department of Education published in 2009 indicated that online and blended learning produced better outcomes than face-to-face instruction. Despite my reservations, I reasoned that online learning will definitely be part of the future of our students’ learning experiences. Further, my school is guided by a mission to educate students for lifelong learning, which compels us to understand this new educational domain.”

Read Dr. Graham’s full edX reflection in Independent Ideas here.