Online Learning in Schools- Yes or No?

Hello Class,
        The article I chose to read this week is called "Rural Districts Bolster Choices with Online Learning" by Don W. Brown. It focuses on the importance and usefulness of having online classes offered in school. The article points out that online classes make it easier for schools with shortage on funds. It allows more classes for those students that are unable to get into their required classes. The article focuses on three different school districts and how they benefited from adding online learning.
   The first school district it mentions is Creswell School District, who in total has 1300 students. They use a sound technique for identifying students as they start the online procedure. This is useful in making sure that it is actually the students doing the assignments/tests, and not another person. Gifted students and Juniors/Seniors with a high G.P.A. are allowed first enrollment, and if there is extra room then some Sophmores are allowed to enroll as well. I feel this is a good idea because it makes students work harder to achieve good grades so that they can take online classes like their peers.
     An interesting thing that the school district does is only allow students to take courses that are not currently offered at the school. I feel this is not very helpful because they should also allow them to take those classes that fill up fast at the school. This would prevent students from missing out on certain classes that are required to graduate. Some students are known to have a problem keeping up with the scheduling and turning things in on time without a teacher to delegate deadlines. It is important to make a schedule for those students to follow so they don't fall behind.
    Another district that tested out online learning is Pleasant Hill School District with 840 students. They are offering classes for students that have already taken certain classes but need to show more advancement in those courses or need to make up credit. The school has reported that the students in these classes are showing less motivation, although they have a mentor who works with them for fifty minutes every day to ensure they are understanding the information. There needs to be another way of teaching these students so they are more motivated. The online classes offer more courses that otherwise wouldn't have enough staff to provide those classes. The main problems so far with online learning in this district are communicating with the students and also the qualifications.
    The last school district is Crow-Applegate-Lorane, with 310 students enrolled. This district offers Scaffolded Courses, including those offered to students on Individualized Educations Plans. Student's are expected to complete six percent of the coursework every single week, and their progress is constantly monitored to ensure completion. This district feels that online classes are providing technology skills needed for the students future. I agree with this idea that when we are using the computer on a daily basis for an online course, we are actually improving our computer literacy skills and technology knowledge.
         In conclusion, online courses are offering classes that are helpful in many ways. Less students are being left behind, they are able to graduate on time, they are gaining technological skills, and they are gaining motivation to improve their grades in order to take these classes. I feel adding online classes to any district will only benefit the district and the students in a positive way, and there really is nothing to lose.

-Sarah

Rural Districts Bolster Choices with Online Learning. (March/April 2012.) Brown, Don. Retrieved March 23rd, 2012 from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Rural_Districts_Bolster_Choices_with_Online_Learning.aspx.

Common Core Values for Elementary School's

   The common core values are the set of standards that teachers must go by while teaching in the classroom, and also the standards which they must meet. When they were first implemented years ago, teachers were nervous about the fact that they would have to follow a guideline for what they have to teach in the classroom, because it is nice to be able to implement certain lesson plans that seem useful. Most teachers that have had to go by these standards on a daily basis now seem to appreciate what they have done for them and now they now actually find them helpful to have in the classroom. The video showed teachers who were at one point against the core standards, but have come to really like them. 

   A disadvantage to having the core values in the classroom is that you have to follow those exact guidelines that the standards ask them to. For instance, a second grade teacher might be asked to teach a book that in past years was taught to high school students. This could cause issues, but at the same time students will be excelling faster then past students in their grade. The standards were created on the fact and evidence that they will be helpful in ones future, and they are met to exceed the expectations of the students college/career life. They are made around the standards that were previously created for teachers to follow, but they are just more grade oriented and even more important for their future. Some teachers are expected to teach subjects other then the one's they are experienced in, which has also caused some stress in certain situations. 

  I feel these standards will be a benefit to me because they will guide me as I go into the classroom and start my first teaching job. Another advantage of these standards is that it will help to determine a level for which students should be at in their testing, and also it creates the ability for states to work together with other states in making sure students are getting the best education possible. They will benefit the students by making sure they are getting all of the information they need to move onto the next level in school. 

Computational Thinking?

    After reading “Computational Thinking: A Digital Age Skill for Everyone”, I strongly agree with the idea of computational thinking used in the educational system. Computers are being used as tools to solve problems and then also to find answers to questions in the classroom. I did not have computers in my classrooms as a child, and I do feel it would have been helpful when trying to go beyond the textbook. Teachers are looking to use computational thinking in their classrooms but are unable to do so because it is so "new" and there are no rules yet. 
    Computers and technology are taking over the classroom, and the students of the future are going to be extremely skilled in this department. It is going to be useful for them when they are job searching or taking college courses later on in life. The idea of computational thinking still needs some research and experience, as it has not yet been fully demonstrated. Having a computer by oneself at all times, in order to answer questions right and to expand the mind, could end up being very useful. 
   One problem that could arise from this though is the situation where students are depending on the computer at all times. It is important for us to be able to use our minds when needed, because we will not "always" have a computer or peace of technology by our side. Students also need to be able to decide at which times it will be more beneficial to look up things on the computer, versus looking in a book or elsewhere. In conclusion, I do feel it is important to use computational thinking in the classroom, as long as it is used at appropriate times. 


-Sarah


Barr, D, and J. Harrison, and L. Conery. (2011). Computational Thinking: A Digital Age
Skill for Everyone. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38 (6), pp. 20-23. 


     

Kindle or No Kindle?

Hello all,

      A good question to ask oneself is "How would school be different if everyone read off a Kindle?". The reason this is such an important topic is because now more then ever before the public school system is considering getting rid of paper textbooks. This has already been done at the University of Virginia. They have replaced 50,000 physical books with 50,000 digital books from Google. I believe that this is just the beginning.

     Many professionals, students, teenagers, and even children posses a digital book reader called a "Kindle". This is useful in that you can have many books downloaded at one time, and it also saves money on purchasing these books. One might ask why should we change a school system with paper books that worked great in the past? Well, kids are growing much more rapidly and their electronic skills are surpassing their teachers. We need to prepare them for the future and also we must fit their learning needs. One of the downsides to the Kindle is that it does not process as fast as a paper book would. For those that are fast readers, this could cause difficulties. As time proceeds, I feel that the electronic portable book reader will grow and the kinks in the system will be fixed. 

      Another positive aspect of the electronic reader is that you can also use your iphone to read a book! This would be useful for those constantly on-the-go or traveling. The possibility of being able to catch up on your reading by using your cell phone is an exciting concept. Visually impaired learners will also benefit, because each reader has a built in text to speech reader that will read the book aloud for the student. This will help learners better understand what they are reading, and also help to fit each individuals different way of processing information. The invention of the electronic reader seems to have more positive factors than harmful, and I feel it is going to make learning even more exciting for our future students. I feel this will benefit both teachers and students in future classrooms.

-Sarah 

Bull, G, and M. Sites. (2009). Digital Libraries: Shifting the Landscape. Learning and Leading with  Technology, 37 (1), pp. 12-13. 

       

Forget the School Bus, We have the Computer!

  Hello group, the article I read is called "The Beginners Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips" By Jan Zenetis and it is about the different types of field trips available to teachers/students. Now days, it is not even necessary to leave the classroom in order to experience the joys of a field trip! Schools can save money and time with the new options we have. There are two different virtual options for these trips, one is called "Asynchronous" and the other is "Interactive".
      Asynchronous virtual field trips are those that are not delivered in real time, and they are websites that contain different audio/video resources for students and only require an internet connection in order to use. The one downside is there is no interaction between students and the field trip, and that is where Interactive field trips come in handy. Interactive field trips are those where students are watching a real time video, and  it is almost as if they are on a real field trip but still in the classroom. There is more possibility for the students to ask questions and receive answers. Although both field trips save the cost of transportation, bus rides, etc, it seems that the "Interactive" field trips are a better option because it might keep students more involved.
        I am so impressed with the different things we can do on the computer these days! Although I remember field trips as a fun part of school, these days schools are trying to cut costs in any way possible and this is a great place to start. I don't think we should completely eliminate out of class trips, just cut back on them and add more in the classroom. Hopefully one day both virtual and real field trips will be incorporated in every school.

Yes to Technology!

Hello All,
         After reading "Point/Counterpoint is Blogging Worth the Risk?", I have to say that I feel blogging is now, more than ever, worth the risk. Technology is taking over in every aspect of life including the workplace, home, and the classroom. It seems that some teachers and educational employees from past generations are not accepting the fact that blogging can bring a whole new world of learning into the classroom. One thing to keep in mind in any place where one might be writing for the public eye to see, is that certain things must be kept to oneself. It is not necessary to speak your mind if it is going to effect your reputation. It is essential for students to discover how open the internet is and how it is necessary to take into consideration everything you put out for the the public to see. Although it might be a personal blog, it is important to keep professional when it comes to speaking your opinion.
       I can understand how some might feel that blogging is too risky and it is better to be kept in our personal lives, but that would also keep us from sharing such a valuable tool with our students. The students of today will one day be entering college and the workplace, so we need to prepare them to be successful. The computer is one of the most powerful tools we have and the internet is thriving now more then ever. It is important as a teacher to be able to share valuable information with our students that will guide them and bring a whole new world of thinking into their lives. Blogging is a great way to communicate with others your view on certain topics and also a great way to connect to others that you otherwise might not meet. We can not  take technological tools away from the people who are going to benefit from it the most, the teachers of tomorrow.
- Sarah Strickland