Designing Online and Blended Courses to Customize Learning: A Blueprint : Designing Online and Blended Courses to Customize Learning: A Blueprint Oconomowoc Area Schools Dr. Danielle Herro
February, 2011
daniherro@gmail.com : daniherro@gmail.com http://daniherro.wordpress.com/
Oconomowoc Area Schools : Oconomowoc Area Schools 5,000+ students;1,500 high school
Southeastern Wisconsin
diverse learners
progressive technology curricula
infrastructure (wiring) limitations
supportive community
high graduation rate
multi-generational staff
A few definitions.... : A few definitions.... online course
hybrid course
web-enhanced course
Why VS now?Research and Trends : Why VS now?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
The ‘foot in the door’ theory
Slide 6 : 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
Florida Virtual Schools~ Overall leader in enrollments/offers training ~ : 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 (fast-tracked in OASD)
market!
Lessons “learned” thus far.... : Lessons “learned” thus far.... Assign key leadership roles
Research, create a vision
Consider 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 : 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 : 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
Vision in OASD : 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 year 2 or 3
Move towards some fully online options
Assess, train, revise as we go
Slide 12 : Two pilot courses- fourth quarter of the 2010-11 school year
Six to eight hybrid courses (60% online -40% face-to-face) for the 2011-12 school year
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
Hybrid (Blended) Courses : Hybrid (Blended) Courses Spanish 5
American Literature (standard-level, 2 sections)
IB Chemistry
American History (Conspiracy Code)
Pre-Calculus
Critical issues to address in design : Critical issues to address in design Contractual issues - certification
Policy issues - truancy/responsible use
Budget issues - staff, student, structure
Tech support issues - hosting/helpdesk
Curriculum issues - purchase/creation
Staffing issues - ‘best’ suited instructors, course review
Communication : 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 : Information Posted Online Network Use Agreement
Truancy/policy Issues
Technical Requirements
HelpDesk - 24/7
Student Readiness - Fit
~most important~
Student portal look and feel
Slide 17 : From an instructor.......
Impetus to Teach Virtually : Impetus to Teach Virtually The call to differentiate for all students has proven to be extremely difficult for me in a traditional classroom setting
Many methods I used with my students when I first started teaching are not as relevant to to what student need in today’s world
I believe that I can better create relevant learning experiences for my students online than in the current system
Envisioning a Hybrid IB Chemistry Course: A Typical Week : Envisioning a Hybrid IB Chemistry Course: A Typical Week
Training, Certification, Sustainability : Training, Certification, Sustainability Teacher Certification Training
Blackboard (Learning Platform) training
Creation of cohorts
Pilot - feedback - refine
course “walk-throughs”
In-house options
Customized Learning : Customized Learning Time and place
Personalized desktop
Differentiated instruction in modules
Addresses multimodal learning styles
Overloads for a few students
Customized tools leads to customized opportunities, projects, assignments
Anticipated concerns : Anticipated concerns Communication – enough?
Staff preparation – enough?
Student readiness – communication?
What if they come to school? : What if they come to school?
What makes us unique? : What makes us unique? ~building many of our own courses
~involving/training staff
~listening to students
~relying on sophisticated technologies
~broad scope
OUR ATTITUDE
~commitment to building a ‘culture of participation’
~research, best practice, refine
What’s Next? : What’s Next? (1) Pilot - analysis of results
(2) Capacity - build in-house training/certification program
(3) Expansion - increase courses, add grade levels
(4) Customize - calendar, pace, tools
(5) Share model, examine other models