Oconomowoc Area Schools 2011-12

FLeX Connect Online and Hybrid

Courses

A few definitions....

•Online course

•Hybrid course

•Web-enhanced course

The Myths

• It’s easy

• It’s all text-based

• It’s anti-social

• It’s for less qualified teachers or “struggling” students

The reality….

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 – academia and jobs require high-levels of collaborative, online work

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

Lessons Learned from 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

OASD’s Efforts to Date

• Research, create a vision

• Assign key leadership roles

• 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

• 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 • 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

Standards for Quality Online Instructors

Certified – online and subject area

Technology Skills

Clear expectations – goals/objectives

Communication – often, immediate

Strategies for interaction and participation

Leadership – modeled/practiced

Uses data – decisions and assessments – reliable/valid

Legal, ethical, responsible use of technology enmeshed

A Tool for Learning: Virtual Classrooms

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 years ahead

• Move towards some fully online options

• Assess, train, revise as we go

• Two pilot courses- fourth quarter of the 2010-11 school year

• Two hybrid courses (60% online -40% face-to-face) for the 2011-12 school year

• Web-enhanced courses in every department

• 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

Critical issues we are addressing in design

• Student-centered

• Certifying teachers (30 Hours)

• Policy issues - truancy/responsible use

• Tech support issues - hosting/helpdesk

• Curriculum issues - purchase/creation

• Staffing issues - ‘best’ suited instructors, course review

Student Readiness • Self-direction

• Learning preferences

• Study habits

• Technology skills

• Computer equipment capability (FLeX Space at OHS)

What about students with special needs?

• Work with OHS counselors to assess readiness (Academic Coaching)

• School – Home Support

• Accommodations similar to in-school

• Teacher ‘interventions’

more communication

modifications

individualized instruction

What does it look like?

What might it look like? IB Chemistry Hybrid

•In class 2 days a week •Online 3 days a week

Monday Environmental Chemistry •Video on how radiation from the sun heats the earth •Tutorial on calculating energy

•Formative quiz online

Tuesday

In Laboratory •Conduct an experiment to determine lab techniques utilized to measure temperatures of gasses

•Begin designing unique experiment with lab group

Wednesday Work with lab partner to write hypothesis and procedure

Watch a short video documentary on evidence of glacial retreat in Bolivia and other developing countries

Thursday Conducting the Lab •Utilize various measurement probes and graphing software •Document with photos

Publish report to a group wiki for peer editing

Friday Listen to podcast of an NPR interview with a scientific skeptic of human caused climate change

Live discussion with a meteorologist documenting the human impact on global warming

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

Network Use Agreement Truancy/policy Issues

Technical Requirements HelpDesk - 24/7

Student Readiness - Fit

~most important~ Student portal look and feel

Ensuring Excellence and Sustainability

• Teacher Certification Training

• Blackboard (Learning Platform) training

• Creation of cohorts

• Pilot - feedback - refine

• Course “walk-throughs”

• In-house options

What if they come to school?

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