• What questions do you still have about online learning?
I have thought about this question and reasoned with myself that I should have many more questions about online learning since I am no where a professional at it or even are fully operating at this time. I have to admit that the webinars were good but a bit too fast. I personally would have like each part broken down into several webinars or a multipart webinar that took us through all the steps at a slower pace and allow a brief q/a session every so often as a check for understanding. I ofcourse realize that I most question what types of courses are best done in the online learning format? I wonder if there is a rule of thumb I should learn before attempting a specific course or just try it and see if it works. With that in mind I am also wondering how indepth do go with my assignments and is it necessary to always provide a rubric? I will be digging deeper into the book that was used in this course so that Wiggins and McLeigh can hopefully give me a few answers or an insight.
• What will you do with this new learning?
I am thrilled with my new adventure and I hope to utilize the aspects of the readings of “Understanding by Design” through the next few months and incorporate the references into some of my lesson plans from this year and last year. I want to sit down with the curriculum in front of me and examine the aspects of the 5E model and try to rewrite lesson plans that start with a more concrete analysis of what it is the students will need to do to demonstrate an “understanding” of the lesson or unit. I don’t want to just engage them and ask them meaningless questions that do not derive a purpose for the content. I plan to place strategic activities into lessons that may not be called for by the C Scope material; which should ensure they are not just regurgitating what they are hearing but are applying concepts in and on other levels of thinking. Then once I have developed these lessons I will present them to my administrator, mentor and instructional coach to then discuss an online course or staff development based off of the same backward design concepts for other subjects. I can see many teachers doing this naturally with just a small push in the right direction where trying to follow a “scripted lesson” from the curriculum can be a challenge at times. Not to mention it takes the creativity away from the teacher and student.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Question 3 of Reflection
• Will you integrate online learning in your role as a teacher/staff developer?
I have thought it through at every aspect of this course and with the current change of curriculum and changes to various course TEKS as well as my beginner experiences I am not comfortable beginning online learning at the junior high level this year. However, as a staff developer of curriculum and staff developments in the near future I will integrate online learning in many areas that can only improve knowledge by allowing student (teachers) to demonstrate understanding in the course work. I would like to approach my administration next year with the development of student courses that we can integrate not only online learning but also incorporate a new level of technology use in the classrooms at the junior high level. Currently, the lack of computers in classrooms or computer lab access for the many teachers that would want to take part in this endeavor is also halting the process. I am learning through my masters program that there are many areas of funding for districts and so this has also inspired in me to also learn how to lobby for those funds to be used in our district to the student and teacher’s best interest.
I have thought it through at every aspect of this course and with the current change of curriculum and changes to various course TEKS as well as my beginner experiences I am not comfortable beginning online learning at the junior high level this year. However, as a staff developer of curriculum and staff developments in the near future I will integrate online learning in many areas that can only improve knowledge by allowing student (teachers) to demonstrate understanding in the course work. I would like to approach my administration next year with the development of student courses that we can integrate not only online learning but also incorporate a new level of technology use in the classrooms at the junior high level. Currently, the lack of computers in classrooms or computer lab access for the many teachers that would want to take part in this endeavor is also halting the process. I am learning through my masters program that there are many areas of funding for districts and so this has also inspired in me to also learn how to lobby for those funds to be used in our district to the student and teacher’s best interest.
Question 2 of Reflections
• How will you professionally use your course that you designed?
The course I set up I thought at first to create it like the lesson we learned of creating instruction from a different point of view. However, I honestly am re-thinking the design of my course or a new section of my course as a basic introduction to the 5 E model and incorporating backward design concepts into the course. The district I teach in recently changed to C Scope curriculum last year but with the turnover in our district increasing each year many teachers are coming in without a full understanding of what is expected of them in their classroom lesson plans. We have C Scope staff developments that introduce how to read and follow a lesson plan from C Scope, however many teachers still are confused as to what it realy means to engage, elaborate or even if they can vere some from the layout of the lesson and if so; can they start with the explore part of the instruction rather than explain to enhance the atmosphere in the lesson and for student engagement. My attempts are to create a short course that can be completed during staff in service after school hours since during that week so many teachers are split by departments or moved to other campuses to complete work. This would allow me to be accessable during the day to answer questions and grade course work to ensure understanding is occurring. I am sending my information and schoology information to central administration soon for approval. I feel this is something that every campus can participate in without inconveniencing their staff during a hectic week.
The course I set up I thought at first to create it like the lesson we learned of creating instruction from a different point of view. However, I honestly am re-thinking the design of my course or a new section of my course as a basic introduction to the 5 E model and incorporating backward design concepts into the course. The district I teach in recently changed to C Scope curriculum last year but with the turnover in our district increasing each year many teachers are coming in without a full understanding of what is expected of them in their classroom lesson plans. We have C Scope staff developments that introduce how to read and follow a lesson plan from C Scope, however many teachers still are confused as to what it realy means to engage, elaborate or even if they can vere some from the layout of the lesson and if so; can they start with the explore part of the instruction rather than explain to enhance the atmosphere in the lesson and for student engagement. My attempts are to create a short course that can be completed during staff in service after school hours since during that week so many teachers are split by departments or moved to other campuses to complete work. This would allow me to be accessable during the day to answer questions and grade course work to ensure understanding is occurring. I am sending my information and schoology information to central administration soon for approval. I feel this is something that every campus can participate in without inconveniencing their staff during a hectic week.
EDLD 5368 Course Reflection Responses
• What benefits do you see in educators knowing how to design and implement online learning?
When I began this course I was excited to learn that I would be exposed to creating an online learning course. However, once I took on the assignment I became very uncertain that I was composing the course in a way that I should to be successful and most importantly allowing my students in the course to be successful at learning. Then came the webinars that I attended on line that were my hands on and professional guide as it would be sitting in a classroom. Therefore, the answer to the reflective question is this. I saw many aspects that would be beneficial to educators. Number one, taking educators through a step by step process such as in a webinar that can be interactive to show them just what each area of the couse can present and its most useful aspects is key.
Some benefits that could be utilized through online learning are, staff development courses that do not need to be face- to – face any longer and can be completed over time. Upper level student couses such as college credit courses for seniors. This would allow the educators to spend less time in a face to face meeting. Another benefit would be giving students in upper level courses such as college credit courses the opportunities to access courses they would not usually get in a school setting. As I read posts in the discussion board I was impressed by many of the areas that mentors and students had discussed.
Overall, it’s the benefit of reaching students that are already in a 21st century environment and creating a learning environment comparable to that of the rest of the world; so as an educator we also are keeping up with technology uses. Supply and demand is going to be a way of life in the education field. Those that can contribute to technological learning will be needed.
When I began this course I was excited to learn that I would be exposed to creating an online learning course. However, once I took on the assignment I became very uncertain that I was composing the course in a way that I should to be successful and most importantly allowing my students in the course to be successful at learning. Then came the webinars that I attended on line that were my hands on and professional guide as it would be sitting in a classroom. Therefore, the answer to the reflective question is this. I saw many aspects that would be beneficial to educators. Number one, taking educators through a step by step process such as in a webinar that can be interactive to show them just what each area of the couse can present and its most useful aspects is key.
Some benefits that could be utilized through online learning are, staff development courses that do not need to be face- to – face any longer and can be completed over time. Upper level student couses such as college credit courses for seniors. This would allow the educators to spend less time in a face to face meeting. Another benefit would be giving students in upper level courses such as college credit courses the opportunities to access courses they would not usually get in a school setting. As I read posts in the discussion board I was impressed by many of the areas that mentors and students had discussed.
Overall, it’s the benefit of reaching students that are already in a 21st century environment and creating a learning environment comparable to that of the rest of the world; so as an educator we also are keeping up with technology uses. Supply and demand is going to be a way of life in the education field. Those that can contribute to technological learning will be needed.
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