The Online Teaching module integrates both Google Classroom (Google, n.d.), Google Meet (Google, n.d.) and Pear Deck (Pear Deck, n.d.) to support a class of International Business students. The blended learning Module is part of my Grade 12 International Business (course code BBB4M) for the York Region District School Board Secondary Virtual School (SVS) which was founded in September 2020. BBB4M provides an overview of the importance of international business and trade in the global economy and explores the factors that influence success in international markets. Students learn about the techniques and strategies associated with marketing, distribution, and managing international business effectively. The course prepares students for post-secondary programs in business, including international business, marketing, and management.

The pilot phase for the development of the course focuses on Unit 1 - Globalization. In this this unit, students first learn about the global economy by defining key terms and language and by investigating how Canada has been affected by globalization. They were also introduced to the importance of interdependence, competitive advantage and international trade by having to examine how the global marketplace affected countries around the world.

The module provides practical, hands-on innovative asynchronous learning for students through Google Classroom. The 75 minute synchronous class is held using Pear Deck and Google Meet. Discussions and chats are used to help build teacher and social presence. The module integrates several digital technologies for different purposes. Google Classroom’s Stream is integrated as a means of broadcasting announcements. Course content is housed on both Google Classroom provides the link for accessing and participating in the synchronous workshop. The content housed on Brightspace (D2L, n.d.) will perform a function as an online textbook that is easily accessible for the students. Google Meet is the web-conferencing system to facilitate the hosting of the synchronous classes. The educator shares their screen with an interactive Pear Deck presentation. Students join the presentation in a separate tab.

The students follow along with the presentation and interact with the slides which provides them with a voice. I talk through the presentation on the video call. Google Classroom is used to facilitate social constructivist follow-up discussions after the conclusion of the synchronous classes. Google Drive (Google, n.d.) is used to store the recording of the class to allow students to watch at a later date.

As part of the course, I delivered (taught) this online module to a group of my peers. I also participated as a “student” in the online modules developed by other members of my small peer group.

D2L (n.d.),. Brightspace. [Web page]. https://www.d2l.com

Google (n.d.),. Google Classroom. [Web page]. https://classroom.google.com

Google (n.d.),. Google Drive. [Web page]. https://drive.google.com

Google (n.d.). Google Meet. [Web page]. https://www.googlemeet.com

Pear Deck (n.d.). Pear Deck. [Web page]. Available from https://www.peardeck.com