Online Education for K-12? What's it all about?

In education, there is always a push to indiviudalize each child's learning. This is the ideal situation for all learners; however, this ideal does not usually work in the traditional classroom. There is a growing push for online learning communities within K-12 schools which can benefit students' individual needs and interests. These communities, which are already employed successfully in higher education institutions, can be terrific if set up correctly. The following is a video clip from an online learning environment used with Chicago Public Schools via home schooling situations.


Not sold on the idea of home schooling?  What if online learning communities were used for a hybrid model?  That means that classes meet and then continue the lessons via the internet.


What kind of education would you have desired as a teenager?  Traditional classroom learning, a hybrid model, or completely online?

Synchronous or Asynchrous Communication--Which Is Better?

Synchronous communication occurs when people discourse at the same time with one another.  This can be done face-to-face or technologically through resources such as Skype.  Asynchorous communication occurs when participants in the discussion post their thoughts at different times.  The communication, thereby, occurs over an extended period of time with the chance to really take in the ideas.  Here are some additional resources for understanding the difference between the two:






Which one is better?

It depends on the situation.  Both are great for their own reasons.

Online PLCs

Professional learning communities may extend beyond a traditional classroom and into the virtual one.  In order to do so, a number of considerations need to be thought out and planned for.  However, the payback for the investment of time and resources into Online PLCs can prove to be very beneficial for those involved. 

As noted in this link, online PLCs offer the chance for students to share, collaborate, be social, and ultimately raise the bar on their learning.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a32eDsxDfjY

However, not everyone is as gung ho about the idea of distance learning.  In the following clip, Darth Vader questions the effectiveness of online PLCs.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj4M2bgzdhQ

So which view point is correct--the positive one or the Darth Vader one?  They both are right.  Online PLCs are only as good as their creators and only work if a sense of community is established with participants.  This type of learning has many advantages and many drawbacks such as autonomy and isolation.  Every effort must be made to help ease the disadvantages of this type of community.

Article Link for PLCs and Student Success

Many educators work within the ideologies of Professional Learning Communities.  This relatively "new" pedagoical ideal has begun to take hold of many school districts nation wide.  Whether your black your district is well versed in this practice or just starting out, it is good to know that all the research states that PLCs are great for students.  In the linked article, Vincent Tinto of Syracuse University explains how PLCs can foster real results for students and for teaches alike.  The challenge is to implement PLCs in a real and viable way within exsisting academic structures.  However, once adopted and adapted, the results are pretty clear-cut. 

http://www.nhcuc.org/pdfs/Learning_Better_Together.pdf

Great Grammar Blog!

One of the initiatives in my school is to focus on better grammar instruction to help bolster ACT English scores.  In my research of innovative ways to explain grammar usage rules, I stumbled upon a terrific blog from Grammar Girl. In this blog, Grammar Girl promises to offer "quick and dirty" grammar tips and she delivers!  The lessons are fun, multidimensional, and accessible to English novies and experts alike.  The site offers up new tips daily and is searchable as well for those times when you need to check your writing.  Followable on Facebook, Grammar Girl has many fans and is gaining in popularity.  With the great tips, examples, and lessons this blog is sure to be more than just a fun fad. 

Check out this awesome blog at:   http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

WELCOME!

Welcome to my blog!  I hope you enjoy my postings during this course.

Integration of Technology in the Classroom

I integrate technology in various ways within my classroom. I have taught lessons to my students with SmartBoard technology, Windows Movie Maker, PowerPoint, hyperlink presentations, and internet scavenger hunts in the past couple of years. I have used these programs to help engage students in the lesson and to demonstrate technology that they would use in projects. I have also used Scantron test data to target instruction for my students.

In addition, I have had students use various forms of technology for class projects such as:
1. Garage Band to create radio plays and advertisements.
2. I Movie to create documentaries and advertisements.
3. Comic Life to create print advertisements and posters.
4. Smart Boards to create lessons for their peers.
5. PowerPoint to enhance the learning of their classmates.
6. Screenwriter software to write screenplays.
7. Web boards to continue class discussions on books during breaks.
8. Wikis to communicate with class.
9. You Tube for presentations.