Post on 06-May-2015
EDUCATION IN A CONNECTED WORLD
Dr. Kerry RiceAssociate ChairDepartment of Educational TechnologyBoise State University
Trends
The “TEACHER” in Online Teaching
It IS…• Learning that takes
place partially or entirely over the Internet
• Inquiry-based• Interactive • Collaborative
It is NOT…• Print-based correspondence• Broadcast TV and radio• Satellite Videoconferencing
(“yoked” or “hub & spoke”)• Videocassettes• Stand-alone computer
software
What is Online Learning?
What is Online Learning?
National Trends
North American Council for Online LearningAnthony G. Picciano and Jeff Seaman, Sloan Consortium Report 2009
2000
2008
2016
2019
National Trends
Online Learning will disrupt traditional educational systems by the year 2019
(Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning, 2009)
Idaho: Cutting Edge?
• Idaho Recognized as a leader in providing transformative educational opportunities for all students. Ranked 3rd in the country for online learning policy and practice (Center for Digital Education, 2008).
• K-12 Online Teaching Standards• BSU EDTECH leader in K-12 online teacher training.• Supportive legislation and funding policies. • iOPD (http://idahoednet.org)• IEN (http://ien.idaho.gov/)
Yes!
Idaho Virtual Charter Schools2009-2010
EnrollmentsChange from 2008-2009
Idaho Virtual Academy, K-12 Inc. (2002) 2817 16%
Richard McKenna Charter High (2002) 330 9%Idaho Distance Education Academy (2004) 900 4%
Inspire Connections Academy (2005) 568 16%
iSucceed University of Phoenix (2008) 748 115%
Kaplan Academy of Idaho (2009) 102Kootenai Bridge Academy (2009) 144
Total 5609 27%
Virtually every Idaho district has a student in an IDLA course (about 14,000 students)
536 open-ended comments generated 18 themes
1. Time management (71)2. Student responsibility (61)3. Technology Skills (54)4. Communication (54)5. Parental Support (53)6. Isolation (46)7. Workload (42)8. Teacher/student ratio (34)9. Special needs (23)
10. PD issues (22) 11. Administrative support (14) 12. Curriculum issues (12)13. Best practice (12)14. Compensation (11) 15. Accurate assessment (8)16. Credibility (7)17. Copyright/plagiarism (7)18. Organizational skills (5)
What are your unique needs and challenges as a K-12 online teacher?
In their own words...
Self - Reported Needs (sorted by Online Teaching Experience)
“No Significant Difference”
• “Florida Connections Academy 2009 State Test Scores Exceed Overall State Results” (Connections Academy)
• “Newly released state data reveal that e-schools perform better academically than Big 8 districts at lower cost “ (Ohio Alliance for Public Charter School)
In a review of empirical studies, the U.S. Department of Education concluded, “...on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face classes.” (Evaluation of Evidence-based Practices in Online Learning, May 2009)
Key Findings
The effectiveness of online learning is tied to learning time, curriculum, pedagogy, and opportunities for collaboration.
Online learning can be enhanced by giving learners control of their interactions with media
Online learning can be enhanced by prompting learner reflection.
The future is NOW
Dual degrees and success measured by completion (not seat time)
4 day school week http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/ruraleducation/
Online teaching experience = professional development
Why do students enroll in online courses?
Scheduling conflicts Credit recovery Course not offered Early graduation, self-paced Home school Medically home-bound Pregnant teens Pre-expulsion Bullied Incarcerated youth Athletic conflicts Traveling/overseas students
WHY NOW?
Improvements in Technology
Looming Crises http://www.all4ed.org/files/OnlineLearning.pdf
• global skill demands vs. educational attainment; • the funding cliff; and • a looming teacher shortage.
Change in thinking about teaching and learning?
What does education look like in a connected world?
Technology
Learning Portals
Communication Tools
Writing and Reflection Tools
Collaboration Tools
Web-Based Multimedia Tools
Networking Tools
Web-Based Instructional Teaching Aids
Before you go here….
State and National Standards for Quality Online Teaching
• International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) – National Standards for Quality Online Teaching
• National Education Association (NEA) – Guide to Teaching Online Courses
• Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)– Standards for Quality Online Teaching
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)– Educational Technology Standards (NETS)
• Idaho K-12 Online Teaching Standards
Best Practice
21st Century Skills
Learner Autonomy
Active Participation
Collaboration and
Community Building
Authentic Assessment
21st Century Skills
Supported through:• scaffolding and careful guidance • instructional learning aids • modeling and prompting• coaching strategies• reflective thinking and problem
solving
The ability and motivation to take responsibility for one's own learning.
Learner Autonomy
Learner AutonomyLearner
Autonomy John Travoltage web-based simulation at Phet (interactive
simulations)
Learner AutonomyLearner
Autonomy
Multimedia
Learner AutonomyLearner
Autonomy
Negotiated inputs and outcomes
Learner AutonomyLearner
Autonomy
Glogster Poetry Project
Supported through:• authentic projects and assessments• role assignments• teamwork• peer review• strategies to structure activities
(consensus building, Tuning Protocol, Fishbowl Method)
Strong feelings of community have been shown to promote a greater sense of well-
being among learners as well as increases in engagement, cooperation, commitment to
group goals, information flow, and satisfaction in group interactions.
Collaboration and
Community Building
Collaboration and
Community Building
Collaborative Resources
Collaboration and
Community Building
Collaborative Spaces
Collaboration and
Community Building
Online Instructional Spaces
• Role Play• Think-Pair-Share by assigning email pals or
“web-buddies”• Modify fishbowl by dividing the class into 2
groups, allowing group 1 to contribute the first half of the week and group 2 to contribute the second half.
• Writing Roulette – each learner adds to expanding class story
• Class voting and polling• Debate• Consensus building• Student generated discussion questions• Peer review
Collaboration and
Community Building
Online Social Spaces
• Virtual Icebreakers• Share favorite Websites• “Student lounge”, “Recess”• Question Cafe • PLC’s
http://teacherstream.org
Global Spaces
Supported through:• Authentic, collaborative, inquiry-
based projects• negotiated learning outcomes • active research in the field• partnerships with the outside
community
Interactions within the learning community as well as engagement
with the content being studied.
Active Participation
Active Participation
• Discussion leader• Resource provider• Tech support• Class Twitter contribution
Active Participation
Active Participation
Real-time communication
• Live presentations and lectures
• Guest speakers• One-on-one tutorials and
mentoring• Group discussions and
activities• Informal chat sessions• Question and answer sessions
Supported through:• Timely and consistent
instructor and peer feedback• reflection• dissemination to “real-world”
audiences
Instructional environments that promote a process rather than an end product necessitate the
development of assessments that are progressive rather than summative.
Authentic Assessment
Authentic Assessment
• Written assignments • Participation in online discussions• Publication of student work /presentations• Online quizzes and questions• Experiential activities, such as role-play• Collaborative assignment work • Debates• Portfolios• Reviews• Online Exams (open-book; structured; timed• Journals and reflection• Complete a simulation or win a game
Authentic Assessment
Authentic Assessment
“I started making this website because I had the Idea of instead of just doing a project paper for my class I could spread my information around the continents...”
“Our Environment” Wiki
A major challenge facing educators in the 21st century "is how to design our educational system... in order to produce
graduates who are better prepared to take up jobs in a knowledge-based environment characterized by a pervasive
use of information communications technology" (Bodomo 2006, ¶1)
21st Century Skills
• Global awareness• Digital, information, media
and social literacy• Financial, business and
economical literacy• Creativity• Critical thinking and
problem solving
• Communication and collaboration
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Initiative and self-direction
• Leadership and responsibility
• Productivity and accountability
Learner Autonomy
Active Participation
Collaboration and
Community Building
Authentic Assessment
21st Century Skills
How will your classroom be transformed?
Kerry RiceDepartment of Educational Technology
Boise State Universitykrice@boisestate.edu
Resources• Boise State University, Department of Educational Technology:
http://edtech.boisestate.edu • K-12 Online Teaching Strategies resource site:
https://sites.google.com/site/onlineteachingstrategies/ • A Summary of Research on the Effectiveness of K-12 Online Learning, iNACOL
(September 2009)• Getting Students More Learning Time Online: Distance Education in Support of Expand
ed Learning Time in K-12 Schools, by the Center for American Progress (May 2009) -
• Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies, U.S. Department of Education (June 26, 2009)
• The Online Learning Imperative: A Solution to Three Looming Crises in Education, Alliance for Excellent Education Issues Brief (February 2010)
• K-12 Online Learning: A 2008 Follow-up of the Survey of US School District Administrators, Sloan Consortium (2009)
• Research Committee Issues Brief: Examining Communication and Interaction in Online Teaching, iNACOL (September 2009)
• Blended Learning: The Convergence of Online and Face-To-Face Education• Project Based Learning: http://pbl-online.org • Partnership for 21st Century Skills. 2004. Framework for 21st century learning.
http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=120