Marcia’s notes…
NACOL VIRTUAL SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM NOVEMBER 5-7, 2006
Monday, November 6
Welcome and Opening—Susan Patrick President and CEO, North American Council for Online Learning
NACOL Mission: Education, Innovation, and Online Learning
Virtual school offers all students the best education with the best teachers –Susan Patrick
21st Century Assessments for today’s students.
Innovative changes in education—trend of the future.
PQ + CQ > IQ (Passion quotient + curiosity quotient is greater that IQ)
Currently there are147 virtual charter schools in 18 states, and
1/3 of high schools offer elearning.
Rationale: 4 key points favoring online education:
1. Online learning expands options and providing equal access. This levels the “playing field”—all students have access to a vast variety of courses, not just those in larger, financially proficient schools.
2. Online learning is rapidly growing.
3. It is effective.
4. It improves teaching
AP scores up to 10 points higher through online courses.
_________________________________________
Seymour (?)Papert—AI tells the story of the steamship.
A quicker way to cross the Atlantic was needed—the steamship was just too slow. In 1952, the rush was on to create a better, faster steamship—and it was created, and it was much faster than the old. However, the jet airplane was also created that year, making the newer, faster steamship obsolete.
Education could be compared to that story.
Are we trying to fix up the old, or should we jump into the new?
The old steamship is a systemic design, and can be improved to a point. The new technology, the jet plane, can go faster than ship, and thus would be the better choice to improve travel time across the Atlantic.
____________________________________________________
The brick and mortar schoolhouse was created during the Industrial Revolution. Schools were designed to educate students for work in menial jobs, with 25% going on to college.
Currently 26% go on to college.
That brick and mortar schoolhouse is still doing what it was designed to do!
Perhaps it’s time to quit trying to fix the old.
How many students graduate from high school? Overall average is 70%.
Breakdown:
78%white
52% Latino
56% black
Transformation, not integration is needed—regarding technology.
Allan Jordan—story
A student, who was struggling in class, goes to school door, almost goes in, but turns away. “Why?” asked Jordan. Student said he has to “power down” to go to school—at home online, he has many things going on, but in school, he has to operate on a bell system, antiquated ideas, etc.
Leadership is TIP: trust, integrity, passion
Oliver Wendell Holmes said that a mind stretched to new dimensions never returns to its old dimension. (paraphrased)
TOM CARROLL
President, National Commission on Teaching and America’s future.
Advocacy group for 21st century teaching and learning
Erate grants
10th anniversary of virtual high school in Hudson
In 1995-96, the Erate grant applications were mainly for CD-ROM content—and at that time, everyone thought that CD-ROM would be forever.
In 1998, the grant applications for Internet/web access surpassed those for CD-ROM
The last radical change in education was during the industrial age--graded learning, stand alone content, little boxes inside big boxes (school/classroom)—and we’ll call that Education 1.0
We now need Education 2.0 and3.0
We have the potential to transform education—the new teachers are the ones who grew up with the web/internet, etc.
Should we be the agent of change or target of change?
Obstacles
Data in No Dream Denied book
Accelerated the number of new teachers in the 90s, but also accelerated leavers
Many new teachers leave within the first three years, and after five years, 46% have left.
Teacher turnover is a serious problem.
Why are these new teachers leaving the teaching profession?
1. They feel they were not prepared for conditions/challenges of teaching.
2. They feel isolated—no support.
3. No opportunity for growth was visibly forthcoming—no advancement.
Teachers’ training has not changed, and the teaching “career” is the same—teach the same old thing, year after year, and then retire.
The Generation X, and the Millenials, those who are now in their 20’s, grew up very connected.
They seek collaborative relationships, need mentors, want career advancement—and they don’t find this in the education field.
TV reflects culture and its changes:
Then—“Dr. Kildare”—stand alone hero, individual saves the day
Today—“Gray’s Anatomy”—teamwork is important –teams save the day
Same parallel exists in Perry Mason vs. Law and Order
Key to success is collaborative team work
Superman vs. Pokeman
Flash Gordon vs. Star Trek and NASA (no astronaut went to the moon without teamwork)
The teams are diverse, women involved.
Currently, the teacher dropout rate is higher than student dropout rate.
Where are the advancements in education? We had the stand alone teacher of the50’s, now we have the stand alone teacher in 21st century. This creates three things to be worried about:
While that teacher may be a good teacher, he/she has no colleague to learn from, and so can only be as good as he/she can get alone.
Students are struggling when they have an ineffective teacher
Teacher teaching alone in a flat world cannot develop necessary skills unless we use 21st Century teaching.
Teaching 1.0—Teacher’s job is to stand and deliver content, then test to see if content is captured. All students are taught at the same level. This is what we have been doing for many years. It’s Teach and Test—if they get it, they get it, and if they don’t, they don’t.
T→S
Teaching 2.0--Teacher is the Learning Leader
The teacher is a coach, and manages resources. This learning is project based, community centered, the focus is on the learners’ needs, and the students become resources to each other.
T
S
↕ ↕
S ↔ P↔S
↕ ↕ ↕
S ↔ S
The problem with this is that the teacher should not be off to the side. The teacher should be learning along with the students, and in doing this, the teacher will be modeling learning, how to form a hypothesis, etc.
Thus, the diagram above would change to show the teacher within the circle as a learning leader, the students become learners, and all participate in a blended environment.
Teaching 3.0 Teacher’s job is to create meaning with students. The focus is on relationships—learners are in an environment without walls. The learners can be anywhere geographically, but still in the same class. The teacher is the learning leader, and keeps the learning structured and focused.
In the drawing for Teaching 2.0, the “walls”—the circle in the diagram, representing the school building, is removed. All continuously learn together, both from their leader, their resources, and each other.
Ideas are presented in the book The Teaching Gap
Prepare teachers by:
using “Teaching Academies” where teachers can develop team skills.
using “Learning Design Studios,” such as DaVinci—space designed for multiple purposes (including outdoors)
When you change the role of the teacher, you change the role of the school. The school becomes a hub in a larger environment.
For more information:
Website
topic
www.edutopia.org
Edutopia
www.designshare.com
Designing for the future
www.archfoundation.org
Great Schools by Design
www.school-works.org
School works
Due to time constraints and la ck of skill, I am not able to accurately recreate the drawings/diagrams on the slide presentation. The slides of this presentation by Tom Carroll can be seen on www.nctaf.org
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
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.
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.
Tuesday Session 4 by Marcia
Session: 21st Century Teaching and Learning Skills: How Can They Teach What They Don’t Know?
Essential Elements for Professional Development for Online Teachers
Susan Leavey, Virtual High School
This is basically an overview of Virtual High School (VHS) program.
What good is professional development for teachers?
Keeps teachers current
Collaboration opportunities
Gets teachers out of the classroom for more collegial options
Supportive environment
21st Century learners are
Critical thinkers
Problem solvers
Collaborators
Communicators
“Virtual High School does Professional Development very well.”
VHS PD is 10 weeks beginning in September.
PROfessional GRowth ESSentials
VHS program—how it works
School provides VHS with teacher, school can enroll 25 students free.
Teacher can design own course or use preexisting
Community, technology and pedagogy in all courses
Group activities and group projects are stressed.
Parents are NOT involved with teachers.
Large support network for teachers
PROfessional GRowth ESSentials
Phases:
Course design
content, goal setting
portfolio and evidence
additional evidence, reflection, portfolio
Students take ownership of academic capability
Essential Elements for Professional Development for Online Teachers
Susan Leavey, Virtual High School
This is basically an overview of Virtual High School (VHS) program.
What good is professional development for teachers?
Keeps teachers current
Collaboration opportunities
Gets teachers out of the classroom for more collegial options
Supportive environment
21st Century learners are
Critical thinkers
Problem solvers
Collaborators
Communicators
“Virtual High School does Professional Development very well.”
VHS PD is 10 weeks beginning in September.
PROfessional GRowth ESSentials
VHS program—how it works
School provides VHS with teacher, school can enroll 25 students free.
Teacher can design own course or use preexisting
Community, technology and pedagogy in all courses
Group activities and group projects are stressed.
Parents are NOT involved with teachers.
Large support network for teachers
PROfessional GRowth ESSentials
Phases:
Course design
content, goal setting
portfolio and evidence
additional evidence, reflection, portfolio
Students take ownership of academic capability
Tuesday Session 3 by Marcia
Supplementing Curriculum with Online Options
Sue Steiner, Program Director
Heidi Smith, Local Mentor/Teacher
Kiel eSchool
Info on Kiel eSchool
Kiel eSchool provides online options for students grades 7-12 on a fulltime or part-time basis, and half or full credit courses are available to meet graduation requirements.
Students apply through the guidance department
Content is mainly through Florida Virtual, but they use other vendors too, as well as some courses which were created by Kiel instructors.
Characteristics of Quality Online Courses
Good teachers
engaging content
present a highly interactive environment
aligned to standards
self paced
use of graphics and multimedia
tracking and remediation
allows resubmissions
incorporate real-life situations
builds community
timely and continuous feedback
Student/Teacher interaction
Good organization
Accommodate varied learning styles and intelligences
Learning pedagogy
Age appropriate content
Rubrics
Assessment and evaluation
How do you know students are doing their own work?
Authentic assessments
Oral quizzes
Proctored semester exams
Frequent communication
Threaded discussion
Highly qualified teachers
Course managements systems have many different features. Choose one that fits your needs http://www.edutools.com/
Another way to assess tools http://moodle.org/
OCEP—Online Course Evaluation Project identifies and evaluates existing online courses (through http://www.edutools.com/)
NROC—(National Repository of Online Courses) a library of online courses
www.montereyinstitute.org/nroc.html
Value of using Supplementary Content
Provides high quality diverse content which is beyond the means of the teacher
Addresses various learning styles
Provides multi-modal learning experiences
Saves teachers time in trying to develop it themselves—why reinvent the wheel?
Course Vendors
Kiel initially looked at approximately 75 different vendors
Received RFPs from 27
Piloted six of them the first year
Chose Florida Virtual School as primary content vendor http://www.flvs.net/
Also use several locally developed courses
Supplementary Vendors
United Streaming (licensed through FLVS)
BrainPOP (teacher access Package $150)
SAS inschool (50 users $250)
Get a Clue--for English classes (25 users $395)
Horizon Wimbda—voice boards used in Spanish course ($23 per license)
Geometer’s Sketchpad—now built into locally developed online geometry course
Web Conferencing (Online Meeting Space)
VOIP (Voice-over IP) consideration: does web conferencing use VOIP or do you neet the Internet and a separate phone?
Elluminate
WebEx
Horizon Wimbda
Skype (software that allows you to make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world)
Learning Objects—mini lessons
Learning objects are based on the premise that they must provide learner with succinct relevant information, guidance in relation to key points and an opportunity to interact with the content
They can be completed in 5-10 minutes—delivery can be online, on CD-ROM, or adapted to a print based form.
Example: Merlot www.merlot.org/Home.po
Fox Valley Technical College http://www.wisc-online.com/
WiscNet Digital Districts Online http://www.digitaldistricts.org/
Wikis and Blogs
Wiki is software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser—a collection of works by many authors
Blog—a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links
Virtual Field Trips and Projects
A bibliography can be found at http://www.twice.cc/rbib.html
Advantages and Disadvantages
Price is high for high-quality content
CD/DVD supplement to textbooks
Media rich content varies significantly
Ability to customize
Additional Services
Support
Updates
Courses vs. modules
Upfront vs. ongoing costs
Cost per student, or one cost for course
Technology issues
Considerations
Philosophy and vision—Does the content and technology fit the design of your school/program?
Will the content fit on your course management system?
Does the content meet state standards?
Will your infrastructure support this?
Firewall issues
Java plug-ins
Software applications
· Who will host the course?
· Security issues
· Intellectual property rights
· Copyright issues
· ADA compliance
· Licensing agreements
o CMS and content
o per student, per class, per year
Teacher Training
· Orient to course management system
· Instructional design training
· Ongoing mentor (this is important!)
· Ongoing staff development
· Technical support/help desk
Learning Points Associates/NCREL
has online teacher facilitation course—6 week course with credit through Cardinal Stritch
has course for school administrators MOL I (3 weeks) and MOL II (3 weeks)
Student Considerations
Is orientation provided? (this is considered very important to student success)
Is there a teacher at the other end of the course? (essential!)
Quality directions
Technical support/help desk
Content
Does it fit in your existing course?
If it’s an entire course, how does it fit into your curriculum?
Will this contribute to student learning? (enrichment or remediation)
Use of video and audio
keeps students more engaged
bandwidth issues
Simulations
Drill and practice
Authentic assessments
START SMALL!
Start with just a few sources
Look for a resource that supports a large number of quality media-rich resources
Decide whether to buy, license, or build your own
Consider partnerships or consortia—better purchasing power
Sue Steiner, Program Director
Heidi Smith, Local Mentor/Teacher
Kiel eSchool
Info on Kiel eSchool
Kiel eSchool provides online options for students grades 7-12 on a fulltime or part-time basis, and half or full credit courses are available to meet graduation requirements.
Students apply through the guidance department
Content is mainly through Florida Virtual, but they use other vendors too, as well as some courses which were created by Kiel instructors.
Characteristics of Quality Online Courses
Good teachers
engaging content
present a highly interactive environment
aligned to standards
self paced
use of graphics and multimedia
tracking and remediation
allows resubmissions
incorporate real-life situations
builds community
timely and continuous feedback
Student/Teacher interaction
Good organization
Accommodate varied learning styles and intelligences
Learning pedagogy
Age appropriate content
Rubrics
Assessment and evaluation
How do you know students are doing their own work?
Authentic assessments
Oral quizzes
Proctored semester exams
Frequent communication
Threaded discussion
Highly qualified teachers
Course managements systems have many different features. Choose one that fits your needs http://www.edutools.com/
Another way to assess tools http://moodle.org/
OCEP—Online Course Evaluation Project identifies and evaluates existing online courses (through http://www.edutools.com/)
NROC—(National Repository of Online Courses) a library of online courses
www.montereyinstitute.org/nroc.html
Value of using Supplementary Content
Provides high quality diverse content which is beyond the means of the teacher
Addresses various learning styles
Provides multi-modal learning experiences
Saves teachers time in trying to develop it themselves—why reinvent the wheel?
Course Vendors
Kiel initially looked at approximately 75 different vendors
Received RFPs from 27
Piloted six of them the first year
Chose Florida Virtual School as primary content vendor http://www.flvs.net/
Also use several locally developed courses
Supplementary Vendors
United Streaming (licensed through FLVS)
BrainPOP (teacher access Package $150)
SAS inschool (50 users $250)
Get a Clue--for English classes (25 users $395)
Horizon Wimbda—voice boards used in Spanish course ($23 per license)
Geometer’s Sketchpad—now built into locally developed online geometry course
Web Conferencing (Online Meeting Space)
VOIP (Voice-over IP) consideration: does web conferencing use VOIP or do you neet the Internet and a separate phone?
Elluminate
WebEx
Horizon Wimbda
Skype (software that allows you to make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world)
Learning Objects—mini lessons
Learning objects are based on the premise that they must provide learner with succinct relevant information, guidance in relation to key points and an opportunity to interact with the content
They can be completed in 5-10 minutes—delivery can be online, on CD-ROM, or adapted to a print based form.
Example: Merlot www.merlot.org/Home.po
Fox Valley Technical College http://www.wisc-online.com/
WiscNet Digital Districts Online http://www.digitaldistricts.org/
Wikis and Blogs
Wiki is software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser—a collection of works by many authors
Blog—a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links
Virtual Field Trips and Projects
A bibliography can be found at http://www.twice.cc/rbib.html
Advantages and Disadvantages
Price is high for high-quality content
CD/DVD supplement to textbooks
Media rich content varies significantly
Ability to customize
Additional Services
Support
Updates
Courses vs. modules
Upfront vs. ongoing costs
Cost per student, or one cost for course
Technology issues
Considerations
Philosophy and vision—Does the content and technology fit the design of your school/program?
Will the content fit on your course management system?
Does the content meet state standards?
Will your infrastructure support this?
Firewall issues
Java plug-ins
Software applications
· Who will host the course?
· Security issues
· Intellectual property rights
· Copyright issues
· ADA compliance
· Licensing agreements
o CMS and content
o per student, per class, per year
Teacher Training
· Orient to course management system
· Instructional design training
· Ongoing mentor (this is important!)
· Ongoing staff development
· Technical support/help desk
Learning Points Associates/NCREL
has online teacher facilitation course—6 week course with credit through Cardinal Stritch
has course for school administrators MOL I (3 weeks) and MOL II (3 weeks)
Student Considerations
Is orientation provided? (this is considered very important to student success)
Is there a teacher at the other end of the course? (essential!)
Quality directions
Technical support/help desk
Content
Does it fit in your existing course?
If it’s an entire course, how does it fit into your curriculum?
Will this contribute to student learning? (enrichment or remediation)
Use of video and audio
keeps students more engaged
bandwidth issues
Simulations
Drill and practice
Authentic assessments
START SMALL!
Start with just a few sources
Look for a resource that supports a large number of quality media-rich resources
Decide whether to buy, license, or build your own
Consider partnerships or consortia—better purchasing power
Tuesday Session 2 by Marcia
Tuesday, November 7
Tim Magner—Director, Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Dept. of Education
Federal initiatives and the importance of promoting student success in math and science areas.
Competitiveness Trends
The world is changing.
India and China—two fastest growing economies (China-manufacturing, India-services)
Many foreign students who graduate from universities in America go back to their home countries, giving those countries a competitive edge. Many of those foreign students go on to Masters and Doctorate degrees in math, science, engineering.Our need for engineers exceeds the number we graduate
Currently 47% of engineering graduates are Asian
Our ability to compete in the future is dependent on education—60% of new jobs require post secondary education
Problem: rate of change: Even if we could graduate every American student, that is only a small fraction of graduates possible in China/India/Russia- (due to vast populations)
So…we must educate our students VERY WELL—they will be competing 10:1
Math/science education must be improved. “Quality will determine competitiveness!”This training is crucial for the future.
IT (instructional technology) is driving force in US economy
President’s American Competitiveness Program-- train and keep our students here with high quality skills for 21st Century
National Math and Math Now—expand AP Incentive programs.Just taking an AP course helps students even if they don’t take exam.
Changes happening:Location independent for education (online courses)Multi-mediaInformation distribution is flattened---free and level acrossMany kinds of information delivery systems, with many ways to access and participateNew models of instructional design—in process Textbooks online or download
DATA INFO needs to include context, relevance, authority, suitability Need to personalize, add meaningOnline learning can do this.“Online can be both an opportunity within and without the public schools-can be a part of traditional process-requires creativity”
http://school2-0.org
He flashed through some in-depth slides rather quickly—since I could not write down all of that information, the slide show may be viewed at http://school2-0.org or email tim.magner@ed.gov These addresses at the end of my notes on this presentation.
Questions from audience:
Q: Shouldn’t state governments be interested in data regarding online courses?
A: Yes, they should be interested and collecting data.
Q: Learning objects should be the role of the Federal government, if national unity in education is desired.
A: The challenge for the federal government is not only promote technology, but how to procedurally implement technology.
What is the future of virtual schools? We need to broaden the concept of what school is. The challenge is to provide clear structure to help students choose/select appropriate online courses.
Flashed through some in-depth slides rather quickly—since I could not write down all of that information, the slide show may be viewed at http://school2-0.org or email tim.magner@ed.gov
Marcia
Tim Magner—Director, Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Dept. of Education
Federal initiatives and the importance of promoting student success in math and science areas.
Competitiveness Trends
The world is changing.
India and China—two fastest growing economies (China-manufacturing, India-services)
Many foreign students who graduate from universities in America go back to their home countries, giving those countries a competitive edge. Many of those foreign students go on to Masters and Doctorate degrees in math, science, engineering.Our need for engineers exceeds the number we graduate
Currently 47% of engineering graduates are Asian
Our ability to compete in the future is dependent on education—60% of new jobs require post secondary education
Problem: rate of change: Even if we could graduate every American student, that is only a small fraction of graduates possible in China/India/Russia- (due to vast populations)
So…we must educate our students VERY WELL—they will be competing 10:1
Math/science education must be improved. “Quality will determine competitiveness!”This training is crucial for the future.
IT (instructional technology) is driving force in US economy
President’s American Competitiveness Program-- train and keep our students here with high quality skills for 21st Century
National Math and Math Now—expand AP Incentive programs.Just taking an AP course helps students even if they don’t take exam.
Changes happening:Location independent for education (online courses)Multi-mediaInformation distribution is flattened---free and level acrossMany kinds of information delivery systems, with many ways to access and participateNew models of instructional design—in process Textbooks online or download
DATA INFO needs to include context, relevance, authority, suitability Need to personalize, add meaningOnline learning can do this.“Online can be both an opportunity within and without the public schools-can be a part of traditional process-requires creativity”
http://school2-0.org
He flashed through some in-depth slides rather quickly—since I could not write down all of that information, the slide show may be viewed at http://school2-0.org or email tim.magner@ed.gov These addresses at the end of my notes on this presentation.
Questions from audience:
Q: Shouldn’t state governments be interested in data regarding online courses?
A: Yes, they should be interested and collecting data.
Q: Learning objects should be the role of the Federal government, if national unity in education is desired.
A: The challenge for the federal government is not only promote technology, but how to procedurally implement technology.
What is the future of virtual schools? We need to broaden the concept of what school is. The challenge is to provide clear structure to help students choose/select appropriate online courses.
Flashed through some in-depth slides rather quickly—since I could not write down all of that information, the slide show may be viewed at http://school2-0.org or email tim.magner@ed.gov
Marcia
Tuesday Session 1 by Marcia
SESSION: Redesigning Education through Powerful Partnerships and Facilitation
Presenters:Lisa McClure iQ Academies at Wisconsin-KC Distance Learning
Kristine Diener iQ Academies at Wisconsin-SD of Waukesha (principal)
Ross White LEARN NC
www.go2iq.com
iQ Academies is a charter high school in its third year—currently has 9500semester enrollments—SDW hold charter
Mission: provide student focused achievement oriented curriculum in iQ Academies
They struggled with the matter of “time” (to meet goals, etc.) and chose a partner.
Difference between donor and partner?
Example of bacon and eggs breakfast: the chicken was a donor, but the pig was totally committed!
Why partner?
Collaborate
partnerships establish common goals
pool resources
jointly plan and implement
Searched for a business to partner with, and found KC Distance Learning
How responsibilities are divided in the partnership:
School District of Waukesha (SDW) provides:
KC Distance Learning provides:
Teachers
Computer, printer, internet access
Counselors
Online curriculum and text
Principal
Student services & tech support
Diploma
Marketing and recruiting
Administrative support
Data solutions, website, PR
iQ Academies
SDW
Principal
Teaching staff
Student counselor
Academic progress records
clerical
KC
Program manager
Student services manager
Outreach coordinator (build school community)
Clerical staff
Pace charts etc.
iQ students are 50% homeschool, 30% health/emotional issue, 10% disenfranchised, 10% “career kids”
750 fulltime students, 700 open enrolled students
WI charter contract is a five year document
A determining factor (in choosing KC) for Waukesha was in their core values:
1. create comprehensive high school progress that mirrors the quality program already offered at their three traditional high schools
2. offer high-quality standards-based content and state-of-the-art delivery
3. provide instruction via the internet by highly qualified Waukesha teachers
Virtual Education is NOT a cash cow!
___________________________________________
LEARN NC basically supports what is already being taught, and uses a facilitator at the site. The facilitator is “the adult in the room.” Students take courses onsite with facilitator, who is responsible for taking attendance, talking tostudents, keeping students on track, emailing instructors, grading student work, proctoring tests, and technical troubleshooting.
ross@learnnc.org
Presenters:Lisa McClure iQ Academies at Wisconsin-KC Distance Learning
Kristine Diener iQ Academies at Wisconsin-SD of Waukesha (principal)
Ross White LEARN NC
www.go2iq.com
iQ Academies is a charter high school in its third year—currently has 9500semester enrollments—SDW hold charter
Mission: provide student focused achievement oriented curriculum in iQ Academies
They struggled with the matter of “time” (to meet goals, etc.) and chose a partner.
Difference between donor and partner?
Example of bacon and eggs breakfast: the chicken was a donor, but the pig was totally committed!
Why partner?
Collaborate
partnerships establish common goals
pool resources
jointly plan and implement
Searched for a business to partner with, and found KC Distance Learning
How responsibilities are divided in the partnership:
School District of Waukesha (SDW) provides:
KC Distance Learning provides:
Teachers
Computer, printer, internet access
Counselors
Online curriculum and text
Principal
Student services & tech support
Diploma
Marketing and recruiting
Administrative support
Data solutions, website, PR
iQ Academies
SDW
Principal
Teaching staff
Student counselor
Academic progress records
clerical
KC
Program manager
Student services manager
Outreach coordinator (build school community)
Clerical staff
Pace charts etc.
iQ students are 50% homeschool, 30% health/emotional issue, 10% disenfranchised, 10% “career kids”
750 fulltime students, 700 open enrolled students
WI charter contract is a five year document
A determining factor (in choosing KC) for Waukesha was in their core values:
1. create comprehensive high school progress that mirrors the quality program already offered at their three traditional high schools
2. offer high-quality standards-based content and state-of-the-art delivery
3. provide instruction via the internet by highly qualified Waukesha teachers
Virtual Education is NOT a cash cow!
___________________________________________
LEARN NC basically supports what is already being taught, and uses a facilitator at the site. The facilitator is “the adult in the room.” Students take courses onsite with facilitator, who is responsible for taking attendance, talking tostudents, keeping students on track, emailing instructors, grading student work, proctoring tests, and technical troubleshooting.
ross@learnnc.org
Tues Breakout1 Online Perceiver by Janel
Online Program Perceiver Instrument- Appleton E School
Consists of 8 components
1. Discover Phase- complete a rubric to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Self evaluation.
2. adminstrate surveys
3. Analyze results and identify weakness ansd needs and create goals.
4. Best Practices Phase
Examples of best practices for key elements to place online.
Lots of surveys. Identified exemplary aspects of many nationwide online programs that will be available on their website. OPPI- currently not posted
Eight Components
1-program information
2-program orientation
3-program technology
4-program curriculum
5-progrm teaching
6-Program characteristics for student success
7-program support
8-program data collection
OPPI Rubric and surveys
sample
http://appleton.ucompass.com
un:participant17
pw:vss1
Consists of 8 components
1. Discover Phase- complete a rubric to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Self evaluation.
2. adminstrate surveys
3. Analyze results and identify weakness ansd needs and create goals.
4. Best Practices Phase
Examples of best practices for key elements to place online.
Lots of surveys. Identified exemplary aspects of many nationwide online programs that will be available on their website. OPPI- currently not posted
Eight Components
1-program information
2-program orientation
3-program technology
4-program curriculum
5-progrm teaching
6-Program characteristics for student success
7-program support
8-program data collection
OPPI Rubric and surveys
sample
http://appleton.ucompass.com
un:participant17
pw:vss1
Tuesday Morning Session by Deb
Tim Magner: Tech Dept US Gov
The world is changing
Fastest growing economies (China-manufacturing, India-services)
So many who graduate here go back to their home country giving them competitive edge
Gap in need for engineers and number we graduate
Education is key driver in our ability to compete
Rate of change problem: Even if we could graduate everyone available, that is only a small fraction of ones available in China/India/Russia-we have to educate our percent very well in order to compete with vast numbers from other countries
NEED to improve math/science!! Quality will determine competitiveness!!!
Talent-business support-technology needed for growth
President’s American Competitiveness Program to train and keep our students here and qualified in skills for 21st Century
Math/science preparedness is crucial
Just taking AP course even if they don’t take exam helps them in Post Sec/
Changes happening:
Location independent for education
Multi-media
Info distribution is flattened-free and level across
All kinds of info delivery systems and ways to access and participate
New models of instructional design-developing and using
Textbooks can be out and download is in
Need context and relevance, authority, suitability added to data/info
Need to mesh above process and distribution with value in personalizing it
Have to cohese all this with meaning and new modalities
Online learning can do the cohesion
Don’t agree that educating all students is the way to meet the sheer numbers competing in other countries!! Those countries don’t educate all students-they really focus on top end!
Online can be both an opportunity within and without the public schools-can be a part of traditional process-requires creativity http://school2-0.org
Learning objects needs to be a role of federal govt-challenge for govt is not only promote technology but to how to implement technology procedurally-another challenge is the absence of national standards/curriculum
Need to develop a clear process for how students/parents select any online program-traditional to full-time online continuum
tim.magner@ed.gov
Chic Thompson
Visualize where we want the “ball” to go!! Swing through the ball with the right side of the brain!
How to put hippy skippy into life:
Getting rid of “yes, but” left brain thinking!
What are the “killer phrases” (yes, but phrases)
Nerf ball thrown at those who use “killer phrases” which come AFTER the brain storming
It’s how we relate to the idea in the first minute that dictate a great deal of success
How to defuse the killer phrases
Can’t just give out ideas-have to be ready to defuse (Yes, and… .) the killer phrases!
Positive response to a negative
Create a vision driven solution-see handout
HOW will we achieve it –BE BOLD!
Jim Gilmore-the whole world is a stage-we get to choose the kind of experience we create!
The biggest issue in this session was to change from “Yes, but” to “Yes, and”. The power of ideas!!
Do an “idea share” around a particular concept!
The world is changing
Fastest growing economies (China-manufacturing, India-services)
So many who graduate here go back to their home country giving them competitive edge
Gap in need for engineers and number we graduate
Education is key driver in our ability to compete
Rate of change problem: Even if we could graduate everyone available, that is only a small fraction of ones available in China/India/Russia-we have to educate our percent very well in order to compete with vast numbers from other countries
NEED to improve math/science!! Quality will determine competitiveness!!!
Talent-business support-technology needed for growth
President’s American Competitiveness Program to train and keep our students here and qualified in skills for 21st Century
Math/science preparedness is crucial
Just taking AP course even if they don’t take exam helps them in Post Sec/
Changes happening:
Location independent for education
Multi-media
Info distribution is flattened-free and level across
All kinds of info delivery systems and ways to access and participate
New models of instructional design-developing and using
Textbooks can be out and download is in
Need context and relevance, authority, suitability added to data/info
Need to mesh above process and distribution with value in personalizing it
Have to cohese all this with meaning and new modalities
Online learning can do the cohesion
Don’t agree that educating all students is the way to meet the sheer numbers competing in other countries!! Those countries don’t educate all students-they really focus on top end!
Online can be both an opportunity within and without the public schools-can be a part of traditional process-requires creativity http://school2-0.org
Learning objects needs to be a role of federal govt-challenge for govt is not only promote technology but to how to implement technology procedurally-another challenge is the absence of national standards/curriculum
Need to develop a clear process for how students/parents select any online program-traditional to full-time online continuum
tim.magner@ed.gov
Chic Thompson
Visualize where we want the “ball” to go!! Swing through the ball with the right side of the brain!
How to put hippy skippy into life:
Getting rid of “yes, but” left brain thinking!
What are the “killer phrases” (yes, but phrases)
Nerf ball thrown at those who use “killer phrases” which come AFTER the brain storming
It’s how we relate to the idea in the first minute that dictate a great deal of success
How to defuse the killer phrases
Can’t just give out ideas-have to be ready to defuse (Yes, and… .) the killer phrases!
Positive response to a negative
Create a vision driven solution-see handout
HOW will we achieve it –BE BOLD!
Jim Gilmore-the whole world is a stage-we get to choose the kind of experience we create!
The biggest issue in this session was to change from “Yes, but” to “Yes, and”. The power of ideas!!
Do an “idea share” around a particular concept!
Break Out 4: Evaluating Online Teaching by Deb
Profile of an effective Online Teacher
Unconditional commitment to student success-go the distance
Training Teachers to teach Online
Whole different kind of teaching
Taking an Online Course
Teacher isn’t dispersing the content as in face-face
Do this before becoming a teacher online
Course Management System-what platform being used (includes chatroom, whiteboard, gradebook, exam/survey builder, email etc)
Training on the CMS
Bring in national trainers/college and repeat when new teachers are on board-ongoing
Online Teacher training course-6 week course-Cardinal Stritch 3 credit course-write this into grant application
Management of Online Learning Courses-2 3 week mols- contact Kiel school
Training on Specific Course
FLVS offers a course and mentor-engaging students is often the difficulty
Conferencing Tools
Need to train teachers on this for web conferencing
Web-based Supplementary Materials (subscriptions or licensing needed)
Like United Streaming, BrainPOP
Additional Training through FLVS
Ongoing monthly online teacher training sessions with 2 F2F meetings a year with pairing to mentor and one day tech training inservice
Several courses from Cardinal Stritch
Partner with Appleton-e school-are separate entities but shared efforts as in PD, mentor PPT and putting together an online teacher training minicourse (don’t share fiscal management)
Have to deal with intellectual property issues (who owns the course that is developed?)
Handout: Online evaluation sheet for online teacher (both self and supervisor evals)
Students have “pace charts” to help them stay on task
Transforms F2F learning-some teachers find they are better teachers in classroom as a result of hybrid experiences
Kiel school teachers
Everyone is like a first year teacher with ongoing training needed
All teachers have chosen to teach online
Give bonuses instead of raises
Online Teacher Evaluation mirrors job description and is given by supervisor-need to look at our contract language
Improving teachers is the goal
Virtual observation
Ways of engaging students, helping have success, positive feedback, quick response time, timely assessments
Are things current and what about parent/guidance correspondence
Make sure supervisor can access teacher/student archives
Teachers are to keep phone log, student participation encouraged, current syllabus and pace chart, progress report and participation in staff meetings/trainings, timely grading
Importance of Feedback
Can have a major impact-best tool for helping students learn
Encourage student reflection and help students understand how they can improve
Attendance
Teachers is required to contact students, parent, counselor-after 15 days, student is no longer a student
Make allowances for sickness or illness treatment
Elements of Effective Feedback
Professional, positive, specific, personal and encouraging
Delivery –written, verbal face to face
Orientation
F2F required with student and parent-exceptions are possible but rare
Lots less problems
Require all students to take online technology course
Adm needs to back teachers up
Effective Communication
Welcome phone call-follow-up if problems
Web conference
Weekly/monthly progress reports
SREB
Excellent resources
Unconditional commitment to student success-go the distance
Training Teachers to teach Online
Whole different kind of teaching
Taking an Online Course
Teacher isn’t dispersing the content as in face-face
Do this before becoming a teacher online
Course Management System-what platform being used (includes chatroom, whiteboard, gradebook, exam/survey builder, email etc)
Training on the CMS
Bring in national trainers/college and repeat when new teachers are on board-ongoing
Online Teacher training course-6 week course-Cardinal Stritch 3 credit course-write this into grant application
Management of Online Learning Courses-2 3 week mols- contact Kiel school
Training on Specific Course
FLVS offers a course and mentor-engaging students is often the difficulty
Conferencing Tools
Need to train teachers on this for web conferencing
Web-based Supplementary Materials (subscriptions or licensing needed)
Like United Streaming, BrainPOP
Additional Training through FLVS
Ongoing monthly online teacher training sessions with 2 F2F meetings a year with pairing to mentor and one day tech training inservice
Several courses from Cardinal Stritch
Partner with Appleton-e school-are separate entities but shared efforts as in PD, mentor PPT and putting together an online teacher training minicourse (don’t share fiscal management)
Have to deal with intellectual property issues (who owns the course that is developed?)
Handout: Online evaluation sheet for online teacher (both self and supervisor evals)
Students have “pace charts” to help them stay on task
Transforms F2F learning-some teachers find they are better teachers in classroom as a result of hybrid experiences
Kiel school teachers
Everyone is like a first year teacher with ongoing training needed
All teachers have chosen to teach online
Give bonuses instead of raises
Online Teacher Evaluation mirrors job description and is given by supervisor-need to look at our contract language
Improving teachers is the goal
Virtual observation
Ways of engaging students, helping have success, positive feedback, quick response time, timely assessments
Are things current and what about parent/guidance correspondence
Make sure supervisor can access teacher/student archives
Teachers are to keep phone log, student participation encouraged, current syllabus and pace chart, progress report and participation in staff meetings/trainings, timely grading
Importance of Feedback
Can have a major impact-best tool for helping students learn
Encourage student reflection and help students understand how they can improve
Attendance
Teachers is required to contact students, parent, counselor-after 15 days, student is no longer a student
Make allowances for sickness or illness treatment
Elements of Effective Feedback
Professional, positive, specific, personal and encouraging
Delivery –written, verbal face to face
Orientation
F2F required with student and parent-exceptions are possible but rare
Lots less problems
Require all students to take online technology course
Adm needs to back teachers up
Effective Communication
Welcome phone call-follow-up if problems
Web conference
Weekly/monthly progress reports
SREB
Excellent resources
Tuesday Morning General Session by Janel
US Dept of Education- Impact of Virtual Schools and Online Learning (Tim Manger)
India and China- huge changes in economies and education
Foreign students- coming here for advanced degrees and then returning to their home countries
60% of new jobs will require post secondary education held by 1/3 of workers
Inside the Beltway, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, 21st Century Innovation- good books
The future is not found but made...
Chic Thompson Networking Activity
Eliminate the yes-buts during brainstorming
Identify the top five killer phrases that stifle online initiatives and defuse them with yes-and statements (can we do a test first, what will make this work, etc)
TONY ROBBINS
1. What do you want to acieve?- be specific
2. Why do you want to achieve it?- be passionate
3. How am I going to achieve it?- be bold
Figure out how to diffuse the killer phrases
The Experience Economy- Jim Gilmore
THREE BRAINSTORMING ACTIVITIES
1. Each Quarter Ask- What are the Ten Dumbest Things we do in...
2. What would we never do? (activities of opposites) What would we never do to help online students in online learning- what would we do to flip that
3. Borrow an idea... ie what can online educaiton learn about themselves from .... (reality TV shows)
26-63=1 (Switch one digit to make it correct) Power of creative thinking.
India and China- huge changes in economies and education
Foreign students- coming here for advanced degrees and then returning to their home countries
60% of new jobs will require post secondary education held by 1/3 of workers
Inside the Beltway, Rising Above the Gathering Storm, 21st Century Innovation- good books
The future is not found but made...
Chic Thompson Networking Activity
Eliminate the yes-buts during brainstorming
Identify the top five killer phrases that stifle online initiatives and defuse them with yes-and statements (can we do a test first, what will make this work, etc)
TONY ROBBINS
1. What do you want to acieve?- be specific
2. Why do you want to achieve it?- be passionate
3. How am I going to achieve it?- be bold
Figure out how to diffuse the killer phrases
The Experience Economy- Jim Gilmore
THREE BRAINSTORMING ACTIVITIES
1. Each Quarter Ask- What are the Ten Dumbest Things we do in...
2. What would we never do? (activities of opposites) What would we never do to help online students in online learning- what would we do to flip that
3. Borrow an idea... ie what can online educaiton learn about themselves from .... (reality TV shows)
26-63=1 (Switch one digit to make it correct) Power of creative thinking.
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