Sue Maida12 August 2008

What is a virtual academy? “The high-quality, tuition-free public

education that enables a learning experience that is individualized for each child.”

“Ninety percent of four-year public schools and more than half of four-year private schools offer some form of online education, according to the United States Distance Learning Association. Nationwide, about 25 percent of K-12 public schools offer some form of e-learning for students and teachers, according to Education Week. And, Eduventures says the market for such curriculum materials should grow 10 percent this year.”

(azva, 2008) (Botelho, 2004)

Top 10 Reasons for Taking an Online Course#10 Traditional core courses can be taken in an

alternative format. #9 AP courses and electives not otherwise available due

to low enrollments or schedule conflicts can be taken. #8 Students have the opportunity through threaded

discussions to interact with peers they might not otherwise encounter.

#7 Frequent individual student/teacher interactions, as well as parent contacts, occur to support student efforts and monitor progress based on individual needs and goals.

#6 Online courses have a high level of accountability for the time, effort and quality of student work submitted.

(Appleton , 2008)

Top 10 Reasons for Taking an Online Course (continued) #5 Online courses provide rigorous, high quality,

standards-driven curriculum. #4 Course completion goals can be on an

accelerated, traditional or extended basis to meet individual student needs.

#3 Course enrollments are on a continuous or rolling basis, so students can request enrollment at any time there is a “seat” available.

#2 Courses are available to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

#1 Students take greater ownership for their learning thus preparing them to be lifelong learners.”

(Appleton , 2008)

The most important factor affecting student learning is the teacher. Teachers who know their subject, understand how

to teach and can adjust their teaching to student needs will be successful in raising student achievement

Teacher expectations also are a significant factor in how much and how well students learn.

Online learning provides the opportunity for every middle grades and high school student, regardless of where he or she lives or attends school, to have access to a quality teacher.

Access to quality online teaching can result in improved student academic performance and increased course completion rates.”

(sreb, 2006)

A good online teacher:Meets the professional teaching standards established by

a state licensing agency or the teacher has academic credentials in the field in which he or she is teaching.

Has the prerequisite technology skills to teach online.Plans, designs and incorporates strategies to encourage

active learning, interaction, participation and collaboration in the online environment.

Provides online leadership in a manner that promotes student success through regular feedback, prompt response and clear expectations.

Models, guides and encourages legal, ethical, safe and healthy behavior related to technology use.

Has experienced online learning from the perspective of a student.

(sreb, 2006)

A good online teacher also:Understands and is responsive to students with special

needs in the online classroom.Demonstrates competencies in creating and implementing

assessments in online learning environments in ways that assure validity and reliability of instruments and procedures.

Develops and delivers assessments, projects and assignments that meet standards-based learning goals and assesses learning progress by measuring student achievement of learning goals.

Demonstrates competencies in using data and findings from assessments and other data sources to modify instructional methods and content and to guide student learning.

Demonstrates frequent and effective strategies that enable both teacher and students to complete self- and pre-assessments.

The standards for courses state that the course: Provides online learners with engaging learning experiences that

promote their mastery of content and are aligned with state content standards or nationally accepted content.

Uses learning activities that engage students in active learning; provides students with multiple learning paths to master the content based on student needs; reflects multicultural education and is accurate, current, and free of bias; and provides ample opportunities for interaction and communication student to student, student to instructor and instructor to student.

Uses multiple strategies and activities to assess student readiness for and progress in course content and provides students with feedback on their progress.

Takes full advantage of a variety of technology tools, has a user friendly interface, and meets accessibility standards for interoperability and access for learners with special needs.

Is evaluated regularly for effectiveness, using a variety of assessment strategies, and the findings are used as a basis for improvement. The course is kept up to date, both in content and in the application of new research on course design and technologies.

(sreb, 2006)

Learning Management Systems Organize a calendar for the online course Deliver e-learning effectively Multi-task and supervise learners, course

content, instructors, maintain performance records and facilities like virtual learning environment.

Communication with the user through messaging and notifications

Generate transcripts, reports, scores, grading, wait listing.”

(Eric, 2001)

Criteria for Evaluating Course Management Software Packages General CriteriaCost (total including ownership, site licensing,

maintenance)Ease of administrative management (stability,

reliability, performance)Ease of use (faculty and students)Level of vendor supportSoftware platforms supported (Windows, UNIX<

Macintosh)Standards-basedTraining opportunities

(Picciano, 2006)

Criteria for Evaluating Course Management Software Packages Features/capabilities provided Chat (synchronous discussions) Conversion tools (i.e., from word processing files) Desktop videoconferencing Discussion groups Electronic mail Grading Indexing of course material by instructor, major, field, course name Individualized student assignments Multimedia support Related resources Sharing materials across courses Standard design with flexible customization Student progress reporting Template development tools Test generator

(Picciano, 2006)

Learning Management SystemsPBS class VSpace at SVSU MoodleBlackboardTeacherWeb. PbwikiQuia

QuiaGames: matching, concentration,

wordsearch, flashcards, battleship, hangman, rags-to-riches, challenge boards

Quizzes: multiple choice, true/false, pop-up, multiple correct, fill-in, initial answer, short answer, essay, matching, ordering

SurveysCopying games and quizzes from “shared

activities”Student/class report cards

Why a wiki?You're tired of waiting for Brad in IT to help set you

up You want to increase student engagement using a

safe online wiki You're tired of complicated solutions that nobody uses You want a no-hassle way to showcase your students'

work online You want to eliminate excuses of lost homework You want a central place for your group to collaborate You want one place to put your files and thoughts so

you can access them anywhere You want a partner to share best practices on

collaboration(PBwiki, 2008)

Final thoughts….Why wikis and online classes?Wikis offer online classes a method for

consistent presentations. Online classes offer wikis one more

significant application. Together they offer teachers and learners an

endless combination of possibilities.

ReferencesAppleton . (2008). Top 10 Reasons For Taking An Online

Course. Retrieved 2008, from Appleton eSchool: http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/Eschool/Top10.htm

Atols, D. S. (n.d.). Distance Learning Program. Retrieved August 2008, from Chicago Public Schools: http://clear.cps.k12.il.us/ohsp/distance_learning.html

azva. (2008). Our School at a Glance. Retrieved August 2008, from Arizona Virtual Academy: http://www.k12.com/azva/who_we_are/

Botelho, G. (2004, August 13). Online schools clicking with students. Retrieved August 2008, from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/08/13/b2s.elearning/

Ed.gov. (2008, July). Evaluating Online Learning: Challenges and Strategies for Success. Retrieved August 6, 2008, from U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/evalonline/report.html

References continued Eric. (2001). Learning Management System. Retrieved August 2008,

from Search Eric: http://searcheric.org/edu/learning-management-system.html

PBS. (2008). PBS. Retrieved 2008, from PBS Teacher Line: http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/

PBwiki. (2008). PBwiki home page. Retrieved August 2008, from PBwiki: http://pbwiki.com/education.wiki

Picciano, A. G. (2006). Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology - 4th ed. (4th ed., Vol. ). (D. A. Stollenwerk, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

sreb. (2006, November). Standards for Quality Online Courses. Retrieved August 7, 2008, from Southern Regional Education Board: http://www.sreb.org/programs/edtech/pubs/2006Pubs/06T05_Standards_quality_online_courses.pdf

sreb. (2006, August). Standards for Quality Online Teaching. Retrieved August 7, 2008, from Southern Regional Education Board : http://www.sreb.org/programs/EdTech/pubs/PDF/06T02_Standards_Online_Teaching.pdf