3.. 2.. 1, Virtual Classrooms!

INTRODUCTION

The number of virtual classrooms is growing each school year across the country.  Recently, Alabama legislature required all schools to offer students the opportunity to receive their high school diploma “entirely in a virtual, or online, environment, beginning in the 2016 - 2017 school year.”  “The goal of the Alabama Access Distance and Blended Learning model is to provide equity through additional high-quality course offerings for all Alabama public high school students” (ACCESS Virtual Learning).   Even with the growth of virtual classrooms, there is much planning that needs to take place before a school system can offer distance learning for students.  

The information posted by the instructors is protected by Copyright laws. These laws are similar to the same copyright laws of text but do have some distinct differences. Copyright laws can be a tricky topic.  Teachers need to remember when posting information found online, give proper credit to the original creator.  It is ok to use the information, just give credit where credit is due.  Is it likely you will get caught if you do not give credit?  Maybe not, but “it has become increasingly likely (especially with the advent of web-crawlers used to search out infringements) that you will” (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 260).

In order for virtual classes to be successful, there needs to be not only teachers and students but a distance education administrator as well.  This individual’s “responsibility is the matter of readiness - institutional readiness, faculty readiness, and student readiness” (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p.280).  

Virtual classes can be a significant benefit to a school system and the students that are enrolled. I created the infographic listed here. The information describes some of the benefits of virtual classes.  As you can see, schools in Alabama have seen the benefits enough to increase the number of courses and school districts that are now offering these courses to their students.  To determine the level of effectiveness, a school system needs to evaluate the program at the conclusion of the course.  The text mentions using the AEIOU approach in evaluating the course.  This approach evaluates the Accountability, Effectiveness, Impact, Organizational Context, and Unanticipated Consequences (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 313-314).  Courses can be updated each session offered and evaluated at the end of each offering.   

 

Teachers have the opportunity to apply to become a virtual classroom educator.  Each school system/program will have their own application process.  While it is relatively easy for someone to become a virtual classroom educator, it is not the job for everyone.  Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek (2015) mention using the acronym VOCAL to evaluate the educators.  How do systems handle removing an ineffective virtual classroom educator?

Student readiness is also a concern of mine.  Most programs offer a checklist for students to complete before enrolling in a virtual class.  However, if students feel they “need” this option but are not adequately ready for the class, the end results could be disastrous.  What precautions can a distance education administrator set in place to ensure student success?  

With the rapid growth of virtual classroom across the state and nation, what are the chances of each school or school system hiring an instructional educational specialist?  The number of technology directors across the state is large, but will individual schools have the funding provided by the state department to supply the needed resources at each school level similar to the Reading Coach several years ago?


I have the privilege of participating in the eMINTS certification program.  Check out this video from Baldwin County school system on how eMINTS certified instructors and educators are changing the look of education.

EMINTS from Baldwin County Public Schools on Vimeo

Reference

ACCESS Virtual Learning | ACCESS Virtual Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://accessdl.state.al.us/

Baldwin County Public Schools. (2016). https://vimeo.com/165958653EMINTS on Vimeo [Video file].
Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/165958653

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S. E., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a distance:
Foundations of distance education. Charlotte, North Carolina: Information Age Publishing, Inc.

Google Classroom for Pinecrest

Learning Management Systems (LMS) is nothing new to the world of education.  Before LMS or CMS (Course Management Systems), the world of distance education has been a growing topic. Distance education has been around for 160 plus years (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 36).  As you can imagine, the route of distance education has changed dramatically.  

Education settings are taking advantage of the numerous LMS and CMS programs that are available.  Many of these are free while others require a fee.  There is a program available to meet the needs of all learners.  Last school year, our system became a Google Apps for Education school.  This summer we are in the process of setting up our Google Classrooms to get ready for our student 1:1 Digital by Design plan.      

Instructional Design

As our teachers are preparing for the 1:1 student Chromebook initiative, they are using the summer to start planning for the school year.  When using an LMS such as Google Classroom, the planning needs to be well thought out and completed ahead in plenty of time to make any needed adjustments.  The text mentions having a focus on visual presentations, activities with interaction, group work, and be prepared for technical problems (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 130).  Once the Google Classroom is set, this makes a great experience for a flipped classroom.

Teaching

Teachers who love technology will love Google Classroom.  The possibilities are endless. Teachers are able to create multiple classes, invite students to join the class, monitor comments and assignments, and mute trouble makers as needed.  Once the course is complete, the teacher also has the opportunity to save the assignments and reuse (make modifications as needed) for future classes. Teachers can create a test, writing prompts, group assignments, presentations and all can be loaded and saved to Drive.  The use of paper and pencil is greatly reduced.  Just because the teacher has the ability to do so much on Google Classroom doesn’t mean they will. Many of our teachers are nervous about using such a program.  “In any distance learning environment, the technology becomes an element of concern for the instructor.  The instructor must become familiar with the hardware and the nuance of the technology to use them effectively.  The instructor needs to balance concern for the operation of the equipment with effective teaching”.  (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 137)  I tell my teachers all the time, technology is just another resource, it is not a requirement.  All assignments do not have to use technology, but it sure does make it fun!

Students

One of the cool components of Google Classroom, allows students to join multiple classrooms.  My daughter was part of three different Classroom's last year in the third grade.  Each teacher can set up a classroom and all assignments can be posted online.  Google Classroom can be used on a variety of devices which makes access from home a breeze.  One of the most frustrating parts of teaching is when a student says they forgot to write down the assignment or I left it at home.  With Google Classroom, students can not use that excuse anymore.  

As with any new program, teacher guidance is key to the success of the program.  In order for students to be successful with Google Classroom, the teacher needs to provide ample practice with the program.  This, in turn, will help the teacher become more proficient with the program as well.  I like this phrase (and may borrow it for my teachers), “even though most students come to distance learning situations with vast experience using technology, it is not safe to assume they can transition directly into a course delivered at a distance” (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p.176).  This is where instruction and modeling will be most valuable.  

Support Materials

We all know of the one teacher that you just dread telling he/she must use some form of LMS.  I actually have a few in mind already.  These teachers will need more support.  I have found many great resources from Alice Keeler, Tony Vincent, Google +, Ditch the Textbook (Twitter), Ken Shelton, and numerous Pinterest post and Twitter followings.  The resources are widely available.  

Teachers will be focused on their number one job of teaching their content to their students.  When technical issues arise (and they will) they do not need to take away time from instruction to “fix” a computer.  The support I can offer my teachers will be immeasurable when it comes to these issues.  “Instructors need the assurance that students will have a resource to help them if they encounter technical difficulties in accessing course materials or resources”.  (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 180)

Assessment

Assessments are activities matched to expectations and instruction is then based on assessment plans.  Often times teachers teach to the test. (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 228)  When using Google Classroom, teachers need to plan how they want students to demonstrate their understanding of the content before they begin the instruction.  This can be a challenge to teachers as they do not think of this step first.  Google Classroom does a great job with the different platforms students can load files to demonstrate their understanding.  The only downside, there is not a true “test” that can be taken and graded.  Teachers can create a test in Google Forms, link the form into Google Classroom and have a PDF of all grades.  Once a test is created, it can be reused multiple times.  All data stays with the original document.  “In any instructional environment, assessment should reinforce course content, provide opportunities to practice newly acquired skills, result in meaningful feedback, and motivate learners to succeed.” (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 252)

This school year is going to provide ample growth for myself, fellow teachers and our students.  Overall, I am really excited about the possibilities.  I know that we are going to face some challenges but the growth will be pivotal in helping us reach our goal of educating students to be successful 21st-century students. The video takes a fresh look at how Google Classroom is useful for everyone.  

References:
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S. E., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. Charlotte, North Carolina:     
     Information Age Publishing, Inc.

Distance Learning- the future of education

Online education can no longer be viewed as a trend.  Instead, online education needs to be considered a main component of education.  Online education, I believe, is the education of the near future.  My school system has used several forms of online education in a small sense for several years.  Our high school students used Schoology for many years before changing over to Google Classroom this past fall.  Distance education comes in a variety of forms.  According to the text, distance education can include a wide variety of media including print, telecommunications and both (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2015, p. 9).  Distance education has been used for decades but has evolved to make learning easier and faster through the use of technology.  

The Infographic helps to explain the history of mobile learning.  I find it interesting that they went back to the abacus.  How funny to considered that tool as mobile learning.  To say we have come a long way in mobile and distance education is an understatement.  Online/distance/mobile learning will be amazing in 5 or 10 years.

In the fall of 2012, 69% of chief academic leaders indicated online learning was critical to their long-term strategy and of the 20.6 million students enrolled in higher education, 6.7 million were enrolled in an online course.” (Kentnor, 2015, p. 21).  According to the Accredited Online Schools and College website, in 2016 every state had a college with an online accredited program.  Simonson, Smaldino, Svacek (2015) explained over 30% of college students were enrolled in at least one online course.  Distance education and virtual education is the future of education.  

I had mixed feelings about enrolling in an online program.  While I know I am self-driven, I was nervous about the amount of work that would be required since I would not be participating in class discussions.  Rumor was the online classes were tripled in the amount of work to make up time spent in a classroom.  However, I have found the online classes are right up my ally.  Yes, the program is intense but the benefits of working at my own pace and around my schedule have proven beneficial.  

I do struggle with the limited access to the instructors.  Perfection runs deep in my veins and I want every assignment to be the best.  I also do not want one of my mistakes to hurt team members. Sometimes I feel the limited communication (i.e. delay email, messages or text) can cause confusion.  

Online education may not be for everyone. But for those of us who are busy with life and motivated to learn, this is a great opportunity.  Take a look at the video from CNET.  If you had the opportunity to participate in a class from one of the best professors in the world for free, would you take advantage of the course?

References:

Kentnor, H. (2015). Distance education and the evolution of online learning in the United States.

Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue, 17(1). Retrieved from

http://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=law_facpub

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S. E., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and learning at a distance:

Foundations of distance education. Charlotte, North Carolina: Information Age Publishing, Inc.

Woods, M. (2013, August 20). Is the future of education online? - Video - CNET [Video file]. Retrieved

from https://www.cnet.com/videos/is-the-future-of-education-online/