Until then I have the following questions:
1. Curriculum staff select curriculum when will they review and select on-line learning services.2. On-line classes work great to open schedules for flexibility but what can you do if students do not have computer or wi-fi access.
3. Working with services that are not compatible because each school has it's own service installed... when will schools all join the same compatible program.
4. What are the staff needs for on-line classes...certified staff (student ratio), non-certified staff (qualifications)
5. Standard rules for reporting on state mandated information such as Carnegie Units and coding for Easier reporting.
6. When technology goes down what should staff and students do with the down town.
7. What grade level should start on-line classes?
8. What kind of parent information is needed?
9. Who and how can cheating be monitored?
10. Should parents and or students be able to find courses and if so how does the school embrace that type of self learning?
Some of these questions seem simple some will take time. Start the conversation....
Just jumping right into it, huh? Here's my blanket answer: it depends.
ReplyDeleteI think that is why we don't have many of these answers because it depends so much on what the philosophy of the school is. Do you believe in student autonomy, do you believe the technology must be guarded, are students inherently good/bad, or do you even have a philosophy? From that, a school should be able to get a direction to follow...not answers, but a direction.
It depends does always bring new ideas forward. Learning is a human constant, how to learn not. So if the school district embraces learning (as I hope every district does) the how to is an ever changing opinion. Time to latch on and start the process or direction. Yes I do believe tha student autonomy is the first point to consider. What are your views on student autonomy?
ReplyDeleteI think what really depends is what the leadership in the school want to embrace. Isn't that the biggest issue. If technology is embraced by students why can't the school system they are in, and that recieves the monies allocated to instruct them, be used in a way that is relative to the style of learning they are good at and must master to get a job. Top down decisions do not always work or make sense. And yes there needs to be answers along with the questions. If we were talking 'guided reading' there would be answers ,if we were talking Math basics, there would be answers. Let's start answering the questions. Answer 1. Curriculum directors need to organize teaching teams to review on line classes as to standards and benchmark match ups . On the team needs to be a tech person who is familiar with tech concerns such as ...does it need FireFox to run, will it be blocked by the schools system, are the stand alone computers able to enable the chat and skype, do the kids have e-mail access to respond to instructors, can a note book be used in school and at home. Who proctors tests and how. All this could be a check off sheet for comparisons. More could be added from the teacher in the curricular area. This should start now with any on-line class or educational program purchase. Now this gives a direction and an answer. Let's figure this stuff out the students are waiting.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2. Student 1 to 1 computer access is a great start. It often ends up being a car without gas. What good is it to the person who needs the ride. I have a student who needs to take Chemistry and Physics because she wants to go to college in the medical field. The school is small and does not have a science teacher who is certified. So the student takes an on line class , good idea. But her schedule is full and the class is rigorous and she needs to work at home. She can't because of no internet connection. Family struggles and that is not an option . She also can only go to school on the bus and can not stay late or come early. So what does she do? The best she can, try to sneak time during other classes, finish assignments for other classes at home and then use the class time to sign out to the lab. She does it and passes . She deserves so much more for the effort and the struggle. If we can offer her a computer should be also find ways to offer her internet access at home? How to do it. There should be a grant or scholarship programto make this happen. If you know of one let me know. If you don't help with the discussion.
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