The Myths
• It’s easy
• It’s all text-based
• It’s anti-social
• It’s for less qualified teachers or “struggling” students
The reality….
Research and Trends
• Learning - immediate feedback, high level
• Growth - 40-50%; K-12 in 24 months
• Individualize instruction - pacing
• Improved instruction - visual; tools are a fit and data is abundant (need proper analysis)
• Future preparation – academia and jobs require high-levels of collaborative, online work
From: Parents for Choice in Education Website URL:
http://choiceineducation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=636:virtualonline-schools&catid=152:innovations-across-the-us&Itemid=206
Lessons Learned from Florida Virtual Schools ~ Overall leader in enrollments/offers training ~
• Strong commitment stakeholders
• Choose instructors carefully; listen to kids
• Rely on NACOL for standards/training/research
• Set policies
• Communication key; set instructor policy - tied to accountability
• 3-semester rule
OASD’s Efforts to Date
• Research, create a vision
• Assign key leadership roles
• FLVS leadership training
• Create a blueprint
• Construct a timeline/to-do list
• Establish stakeholders, bring them together early
• Create a steering committee
• Involve the students - Student Senate/pilot/informational meetings
Our Plan
• Build basic model - get it ‘off the ground’
• Increase courses, involved staff yearly
• Organic growth in pacing/differentiation options - customized environments for students
• Refine what isn’t working well
Basic Structure • Web page with log in portal
• Blackboard as Learning Management System; Google Apps to augment
• Courses designed in house or purchased and modified; standards embedded, same course offerings
• Assessments in Bb, grades transferred to Skyward
Standards for Quality Online Instructors
Certified – online and subject area
Technology Skills
Clear expectations – goals/objectives
Communication – often, immediate
Strategies for interaction and participation
Leadership – modeled/practiced
Uses data – decisions and assessments – reliable/valid
Legal, ethical, responsible use of technology enmeshed
Vision in OASD
• Begin 9-12; build over 3 years
• Offer place and pacing options
• Use our own teachers; begin hybrid model
• Attract other students if feasible in years ahead
• Move towards some fully online options
• Assess, train, revise as we go
• Two pilot courses- fourth quarter of the 2010-11 school year
• Two hybrid courses (60% online -40% face-to-face) for the 2011-12 school year
• Web-enhanced courses in every department
• Two virtual courses (100% online)- Health and PE for the 2011-12 school year
• 2011-12 school year- plan for expansion at OHS and to OIS
Critical issues we are addressing in design
• Student-centered
• Certifying teachers (30 Hours)
• Policy issues - truancy/responsible use
• Tech support issues - hosting/helpdesk
• Curriculum issues - purchase/creation
• Staffing issues - ‘best’ suited instructors, course review
Student Readiness • Self-direction
• Learning preferences
• Study habits
• Technology skills
• Computer equipment capability (FLeX Space at OHS)
What about students with special needs?
• Work with OHS counselors to assess readiness (Academic Coaching)
• School – Home Support
• Accommodations similar to in-school
• Teacher ‘interventions’
more communication
modifications
individualized instruction
Monday Environmental Chemistry •Video on how radiation from the sun heats the earth •Tutorial on calculating energy
•Formative quiz online
Tuesday
In Laboratory •Conduct an experiment to determine lab techniques utilized to measure temperatures of gasses
•Begin designing unique experiment with lab group
Wednesday Work with lab partner to write hypothesis and procedure
Watch a short video documentary on evidence of glacial retreat in Bolivia and other developing countries
Thursday Conducting the Lab •Utilize various measurement probes and graphing software •Document with photos
Publish report to a group wiki for peer editing
Friday Listen to podcast of an NPR interview with a scientific skeptic of human caused climate change
Live discussion with a meteorologist documenting the human impact on global warming
Communication • Brochure for staff
• Staff information meetings (3)
• Steering committee
• School board meeting
• Curriculum Council and other organized meetings
• Program Planning Guide (insert)
• Website Information
• Student body meetings
• Student Senate
• Parent/Community Informational Meetings
• Brochure on website
Information Posted Online
Network Use Agreement Truancy/policy Issues
Technical Requirements HelpDesk - 24/7
Student Readiness - Fit
~most important~ Student portal look and feel
Ensuring Excellence and Sustainability
• Teacher Certification Training
• Blackboard (Learning Platform) training
• Creation of cohorts
• Pilot - feedback - refine
• Course “walk-throughs”
• In-house options