5368+Reflection

Many have embraced the idea of online learning, while others have scoffed. Online learning is a technology that will not be going away anytime soon. As educators, we should embrace the idea. The possibilities of online education really are endless. Many people have used the excuse for years that they don’t go to college or go back to school because they are too busy and they do not have time. Online learning discredits both of those excuses. If someone has a computer and interne access, there is an online program that can suit his or her needs. Many people desire more education, but “don’t have time”. Online learning allows people to work at their own pace, and at times when it is convenient for them. Online programs are only going to grow, so the sooner we incorporate online learning with young students, the more prepared they will be later on in life.

I am going to use the course to guide my ideas about staff development. As next school year approaches, we will be losing our full time technology coordinator. Because I am the only faculty member working on technology leadership, I know I will be responsible for presenting technology rules, regulations, procedures, and will help design some online and technology based lessons. I can post the online staff development assessment on my Schoology page after our faculty has had an opportunity to use some of the techniques we want to use through the school year. The course I designed through Schoology will help keep everyone informed about upcoming trainings, new strategies, and recently designed lessons. The faculty members that choose to participate will stay in the loop and it will limit the number of mass emails and face-to-face meetings that seem to burn up time unnecessarily. I can also form a class where we discuss common troubleshooting strategies for teachers who are not comfortable fixing their own computer related issues.

Many of the responsibilities I have in August will include presenting rules and regulations regarding technology procedures, proper use, and lab/laptop procedures. I can use my course to help organize all those documents and pieces of information. Also, I plan on using the online course to help teachers incorporate Expert Groups, Jigsawing, and teaching the Multiple Intelligences. I think Jigsawing is a great method group members become "experts" and then each group member takes a turn educating other members of the group (Aronson, E., 2000). Using the course will allow me to inform all teachers that attended staff development, and that want follow-up after the staff development. The school year can get overwhelming, but using the online course and teaching the faculty about backwards planning is a great way to keep teachers focused on the aspect of teaching that seems to be the most important, planning ahead. When teachers are prepared with a thought lesson, and they have done everything possible to plan for contingencies and differentiation, learning is bound to happen in classrooms. The incorporation of technology into these lessons only adds to the interest the students are going to show.

It seems as though the expectations of teachers are constantly changing each year, and with technology progressing the way it is, I wonder how districts are going to keep up with the growing demand for technologically trained teachers. I am curious to know if anyone is already conducting research on the effect of online learning compared to traditional, in-class learning. Many students prefer learning online because it is more convenient, less intimidating, and offers wide range of choices (Coleman, S., nd). I wonder if there is a gap in performance and understanding, or if they compare equally. It is obvious that online learning has opened up many educational opportunities to people that would have otherwise not been able to participate. Should online learning also be coupled with mandatory “in-class” learning? It seems like combining the two ideas would be beneficial, while possibly inconvenient. These are all things that have piqued my curiosity during this class.

I think I have learned much in this course. One of the things I will use is the backwards planning method. Having an end goal in mind when a project is started helps guide the direction of that assignment. That principle not only applies to technology lessons, but it also applies to any other type of lesson planning. Planning from the goal, to the start is an excellent way to guide the flow of learning. The direction a lesson is heading, is extremely important. Students must also be hooked in to the lesson. Using technology and backwards planning are excellent ways to get students interested in a lesson (Wiggins, 2005). I am definitely going to have a more active role is Staff Development and technology applications on campus. As our coordinator leaves, those of us with some training will be called upon to take up some of the slack she leaves behind. I know many of our teachers would be interested in posting information online for students to check at home.

References

Aronson, E. (2000). Jigsaw Classroom. Retrieved April 29, 2011 from, []

Coleman, S. (nd.). Why do students like online learning? World Wide Learn. Retrieved on April 29, 2011 from, []

Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by Design. Alexandra: ASCD.