Tuesday Luncheon by Marcia

Anita Givens--Sr. Director of Instructional Materials and Educational Technology, Texas Education Agency

New ideas need to get “sticky”
________________

Students
Two HS students from Plano West speak on their experiences with online courses.

Mary Rich
Eric Ng
Mary—senior--took economics class online—her comments:
Student must be motivated in order to succeed in completing an online course
Enjoyed class—was “easy” for her
Friends told her to take an online class, said it was “easy”
Little communication between teacher and student UNTIL she missed a deadline
Found out about online class from friends—class was NOT suggested or mentioned by counselor (this comment seemed to surprise some of the audience)

Eric—took Algebra II online
Nice teacher
Received a reminder of due dates
Received response to tests, etc., with feedback on what’s wrong and how to fix it
Experienced a “one on one” feel in online class
Says “it’s easier”
Friends took classes online to “get them out of the way”—meaning that they took required classes online, so they would have more time for special electives offered by their traditional school

What makes a good online teacher?
Prompt response to student questions (“24 hours would be nice”—Mary)
Teacher needs to “be there” for the student, and the student needs to know this
Email instructions, etc., in response to student problems

Tools?
Eric—math sites and links were readily available
Mary—group discussions, liked going outside the text

One word regarding online school?
Mary—Traditional school is boring. Online was more interesting. She could find answers on her own.
Eric—online class was fun, nice.

What did they like most about online courses? Least?
Eric—(liked most)tests were easy--(least) no notes—you had to guess
Mary---(liked most) I’m on my own, liked ebook, can go at your own pace—(least) little feedback, never saw test scores, links didn’t work

If money were no object, what kind of technology would you like to add?
Better computers—like Apple
Better Internet service—too slow

How does taking onlinecourses help you for the future?
Eric—you can get stuff out of the way so you can spend more time on entrepreneurship or sports marketing
Mary—you must motivate yourself to get it done

Other comments?
Mary—students need good online teachrs because then the students feel they want to learn.

A good teacher motivates and encourages.
Instant Messaging would be a good tool for eschool.
Teacher should initiate call to student.

Traditional vs. Online
Face-to-face = lecture—and only 5% of lecture is on the test
Online is more direct.
Face to face = distractions/disturbances in class can be a problem
Online—this doesn’t exist.

How would you use blog in class?
Mary—have used MySpace—could use blog for writing. Language arts
Eric—have people comment on how to solve a given equation
Mary—could use to help each other

What do you do online?
Mary—usually multitasking (but realizes she must focu)
Eric—has several programs open while listening to music

Mary—AP course online would be difficult, but it would really depend on the teacher and student. Courses should have a MySpace type place for each class—students can help each other, get to know each other.

Eric—would rather be at home than at school, because I can listen to music while I’m working at home
Mary—being in school makes me sleepy, the teacher doesn’t teach, it’s better at home where there are no distractions—well, the ones that are there are yours and you know how to deal with them.