The i2Flex Transformation of a Commemorative Event to a Service-Learning Experience

The American Community Schools (ACS) Athens Middle School was able to transform a one-day commemorative event known as United Nations Day into long-term service-learning using i2Flex principles and methodologies. The i2Flex blended learning component enabled teachers and students to overcome time limitations and empowered students to take ownership of their service. Utilizing i2Flex strategies can prove meaningful for long term student character development, innovation, and critical thinking skills required in the 21st century. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs or Global Goals) guided the development of the Moodle course shell and a lasting service-learning experience for middle school students. The authors also discuss how the transformation of United Nations Day into authentic service-learning shaped an advisory program in the middle school and what implications it can further have in a school setting.

Building a Design-Centered STEAM Course

This chapter presents the blended-learning, project-based high school STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) course that has been developed and delivered at the American Community Schools (ACS) Athens. The STEAM course fosters data literacy; critical, creative, and computational thinking; and problem-solving. The topics range from the internet of things, artificial intelligence, and data-based investigations to an introduction to aerospace, electrical, and architectural engineering, in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Computer-aided design software and the design thinking methodology are the major creative tools students use to experience immersive STEAM learning. The content of the course is described in terms of learning goals, instruction, and assessments, accompanied by instructional material. The transition of the STEAM course to an online setting is also discussed, and the author's reflections are shared.

A Differentiated Approach to Mathematics

How can classroom teachers maximize the learning potential of their students? How can teachers, at the same time, attend to their students' differences? Students' readiness, interests, and learning profiles are the main targets for successful and meaningful learning. This chapter discusses all the above-mentioned characteristics of learners and focuses on the different approaches and instructional models in a Mathematics classroom. Having in mind a flexible learning framework that accommodates the needs of today's learners, the authors discuss and present applicable classroom instructional techniques, techniques that offer unique opportunities to fully amalgamate pedagogy by modifying learning experiences in the three areas of content, process, and product. The reader of this chapter will also get the chance to be exposed to the i2Flex methodology, which is a type of blended learning and has been born and developed at ACS Athens, Greece.

Inspiring Inquiry With the i2Flex Model in the World Language Classroom

This chapter introduces different methods for how to incorporate inquiry-based learning (IBL) practices with i2Flex methodology, both virtually as well as in the traditional world language classroom model using updated and relevant 21st century skills. Using the teacher as a constructivist model, the question formulation technique, design thinking, content and project based learning, learning among others are all explored in depth so the WL teacher can apply theory through practical examples that support a global understanding and context. World languages can be ESL, Spanish, Greek, Nahuatl, or any other WL(s) taught and spoken across cultures.

Encouraging a Shift in Mindsets K-6

The authors' focus while writing this chapter is to effectively implement a mindset shift in their classrooms to successfully lead their students to take ownership of their learning and build resilience for the challenges they face in the classroom. An individual's mindset encompasses the beliefs and thoughts that the person has regarding his or her capabilities, intelligence, traits, and success. According to Zhang, Kuusisto, and Tirrri, the mindset theory founded on positive psychology by Carol Dweck asserts that human intelligence is a flexible quantity that helps in the prediction of numerous individual achievements such as socioeconomic, academic, cognitive, and affective achievements.

Education Faculty Lived Experiences of Student Interaction and Engagement in Online Courses

In this chapter, the two authors co-construct meaning of their individual lived experiences as education faculty engaging in online teaching and learning. It highlights each faculty unique experiences facilitating graduate student learning in an online environment. Co-construction of meaning centers on pedagogical approaches, program design and focus, reflection of faculty-self experiences, employment of digital learning tools, and utilization of best practices of each faculty experience with teaching and learning in an online environment. This narrative is co-constructed following a collaborative autoethnographic approach by two faculty, whereby the central descriptions of each faculty member is situated in one's lived experiences and rich story of facilitating and instructing courses in an online learning environment. The faculty experiences are mainly derived from teaching graduate courses offered by a department of education. The research method in presenting two self-reflective narratives in online teaching and learning extends to doing “collaborative autoethnography.”

From Blended to Fully Virtual

The purpose of this chapter is to document the transformation of a blended, high school Humanities course to a virtual course that maintains a strong academic focus and preserves the core values of a human-centered education. The authors share the process of redesigning the course content, learning activities, and assessment, using specific examples from their experience and their research. The authors evaluate their experience by presenting the challenges and benefits of this undertaking. Ultimately, the goal of the authors is to assure that the Humanities Program at the American Community Schools Athens will continue to adapt to the digital world, making wise use of educational technology to provide our students with a broad, humanistic, liberal arts education that will serve them well in any field of endeavor.

Adolescent Development

In the chapter, adolescent development, brain development, positive and negative effects of social media on academic achievements, and the educational experiences of young, virtual learners will be examined. Further discussion will entail the importance of social-emotional competencies found in learners that contribute and enhance students' overall positive functioning in academic settings. Pertinent research and literature related to the above stated themes, will also be explored, analysed, and discussed within the context of the chapter's framework.

One School's Transition to Online Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The chapter addresses the response of one school, ACS Athens, a K-12 international school in Athens, Greece, to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The administration, foreseeing the necessity to include online/blended instruction within the curriculum in response to a changing educational landscape and technological advancements, had prepared Middle School and High School teachers and learners for online instruction and had facilitated the design and implementation of digital courses. Conversely, the Elementary school teachers received training for online teaching during lockdown. Additionally, four necessary pillars were considered when designing online learning, as necessary to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted learning: the i2Flex instructional methodology, reflective practitioners, social-emotional wellbeing, and the development of conscious citizenship.

Ensuring Virtual Success

Very few academic programs in pre-service teacher education include opportunities for current and future K-12 educators to develop the necessary skills to teach in an online setting. While limited research has been done related to the preparation of teachers for online instruction, the evidence-based best practices in the field of instructional design and technology can inform graduate curriculum development in this area. This chapter presents a current review of academic programming and trends related to preparing K-12 educators to be effective teachers in online and blended learning environments. Additionally, essential skills and knowledge for teaching online in the K-12 context will be explored and recommendations made for curricular planning to meet these necessary competencies.