In reflecting on my teaching experiences to date, I would say that the proportion of teacher centered versus student centered lessons has been ....
Career wise it would be about 90 % teacher centered. In fact at Brookfield Academy that was the encouraged style of delivery and it seemed to work for the highly motivated and parent-ally supported student populations of that school if measured by standardized testing, and college completion rates.
How should successful high school teaching be measured?
Currently teaching in the on line environment I would estimate the teacher centered proportion is almost reversed 0 - 33 % depending on the student and whether they few or attend synchronous portions of class or ask questions of instructor.
I was able to identify more than one authentic assessment to measure mastery of a single concept lesson when I .
I think this is the most difficult of tasks in the online environment and I do not have a solid grasp upon it yet.
The rubric I created for my lesson clearly defined expectations and scoring for the assignment so that my students could . . .
Feel very comfortable with the expectations and could then self review there work and modify accordingly prior to submitting.
While working on this module I had success/difficulty while doing something new involving . . .
Setting up a page in my experimental Wiki which may be used as a informational platform in the near future.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Reflection week 3
What is the greatest challenge that I have encountered as an online teacher/facilitator and how did I manage it? (If you have not yet taught online what do you think would be the greatest challenge for online teachers/facilitators?).
My greatest challenge as an online teacher is making the personal connections with students. To simplify, I have three types of students.
1. Will succeed regardless of what I do.
2. Will succeed with my assistance and perseverance.
3. Will no work enough to succeed regardless of what I do.
I do recognize I have an impact on the # 1 and # 3 groups just not enough to determine their success as measured by whether they pass or fail my class.
Group # 2 is where I feel I have or could have the most impact. If these students are supported, encouraged and given just the right combination of support they can be successful. The difficulty as I see it is each need as unique combination of support, feedback, engagement and communication from the teacher. It is easy to identify the needs of some as they are self advocating. Others present unique challenges that online teaching makes more difficult as there is less interaction in some cases.
I try to open lines of communication and create a open door atmosphere so that students can feel supported. Tools learned in this program and innovation by our staff have been helpful in reaching this second group.
Some things that I feel are really important to consider about synchronous and asynchronous facilitation as I prepare to facilitate my threaded and web conference discussions are. . .
Try to engage students and recognize that the audience for this presentation has a ton of expertise in the field of education.
I choose my particular discussion topic because . . .
One thing that I thought about when developing rubrics for the 2 different discussions is. .
I used the rubric the science department developed for discussion boards at iQ.
I choose to ask the question concerning the perceived importance of socialization in face to face as compared to the online environment because it seemed an issue that has advocates on each side.
My greatest challenge as an online teacher is making the personal connections with students. To simplify, I have three types of students.
1. Will succeed regardless of what I do.
2. Will succeed with my assistance and perseverance.
3. Will no work enough to succeed regardless of what I do.
I do recognize I have an impact on the # 1 and # 3 groups just not enough to determine their success as measured by whether they pass or fail my class.
Group # 2 is where I feel I have or could have the most impact. If these students are supported, encouraged and given just the right combination of support they can be successful. The difficulty as I see it is each need as unique combination of support, feedback, engagement and communication from the teacher. It is easy to identify the needs of some as they are self advocating. Others present unique challenges that online teaching makes more difficult as there is less interaction in some cases.
I try to open lines of communication and create a open door atmosphere so that students can feel supported. Tools learned in this program and innovation by our staff have been helpful in reaching this second group.
Some things that I feel are really important to consider about synchronous and asynchronous facilitation as I prepare to facilitate my threaded and web conference discussions are. . .
Try to engage students and recognize that the audience for this presentation has a ton of expertise in the field of education.
I choose my particular discussion topic because . . .
One thing that I thought about when developing rubrics for the 2 different discussions is. .
I used the rubric the science department developed for discussion boards at iQ.
I choose to ask the question concerning the perceived importance of socialization in face to face as compared to the online environment because it seemed an issue that has advocates on each side.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Week 2 online
*
I will be dealing with the week 2 reflection in this weeks blog entry.
1. Identify at least two synchronous and two asynchronous online learning tools that would be appropriate for your targeted online learners. I use elluminate to teach my courses in a synchronous manner every week. Meebo is a instant chat application that I have also used to have a synchronous tool as well as the old fashioned phone call. I also use asynchronous tools such as email, and discussion boards in my on line teaching
2. List four different types of activities that you might use with your targeted online learners and identify an appropriate online tool to use in implementing that activity.
I use discussions which employ discussion board threads
I voting as an online tool while in elluminate
I use break out rooms and group reporting in elluinate
I use formative assessments with my students providing links to assessments I find on the internet using my classroom links in black board.
3. Is my initial contact warm and inviting? Are there things I did particularly well or could do better in the future?
I did revise my traditional greeting to make it more informational without making it too hard to read. I hope I have made it more clear and concise.
4. Is my initial contact clear and concise and yet user friendly? What are some strategies that help to format your contacts to make them as clear and concise as possible?
I think I have improved my initial contact email to be more clear and concise. It was pointed out by Ryan Boylen in our discussion board that he liked the positive reinforcement used. I think having a uniform format is very helpful. I try to make communications within a class uniform. Weekly announcements, format of assignments, where to find written information and reference materials.
This class will be a positive influence on how my communication for my online class is set up next year.
I will be dealing with the week 2 reflection in this weeks blog entry.
1. Identify at least two synchronous and two asynchronous online learning tools that would be appropriate for your targeted online learners. I use elluminate to teach my courses in a synchronous manner every week. Meebo is a instant chat application that I have also used to have a synchronous tool as well as the old fashioned phone call. I also use asynchronous tools such as email, and discussion boards in my on line teaching
2. List four different types of activities that you might use with your targeted online learners and identify an appropriate online tool to use in implementing that activity.
I use discussions which employ discussion board threads
I voting as an online tool while in elluminate
I use break out rooms and group reporting in elluinate
I use formative assessments with my students providing links to assessments I find on the internet using my classroom links in black board.
3. Is my initial contact warm and inviting? Are there things I did particularly well or could do better in the future?
I did revise my traditional greeting to make it more informational without making it too hard to read. I hope I have made it more clear and concise.
4. Is my initial contact clear and concise and yet user friendly? What are some strategies that help to format your contacts to make them as clear and concise as possible?
I think I have improved my initial contact email to be more clear and concise. It was pointed out by Ryan Boylen in our discussion board that he liked the positive reinforcement used. I think having a uniform format is very helpful. I try to make communications within a class uniform. Weekly announcements, format of assignments, where to find written information and reference materials.
This class will be a positive influence on how my communication for my online class is set up next year.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
550 Week 1
Sorry for the delay, I misled some of the first lecture due to fatigue and pain related to my recent ankle surgery, so I was not aware we were continuing with these as well as last weeks reflections that we posted on the e-school network.
As I am getting ready to rock another blog this week I will defer to my thoughts of last week for this week.
I teach online and it surprised me that some in video felt they had a better connection with students teaching in the online environment than in a face to face environment. One high level leader involved with VHS felt that students should only take online courses as part time.
I feel that the biggest area in which online learning meets my students needs are in the flexibility it offers for my students to spend more or little time in different areas. They have access to many different references for receiving the information. Access to teachers time more is also more flexible and therefore more accessible.
My main concerns working in this environment are guaranteeing the authenticity of my students work. Secondly the trend if for the number of students I teach to increase. I have a difficult time creating a community of learners working with over 300 students online and it seems it will only become more of a problem in the
future.
Some thoughts online practice activities and simulations.
• I feel that the combination of Interactive multimedia applications and formative assessments are very powerful learning tools.
• Reference or reading material for the topic should be easily accessed.
• Different levels of exploration, supportive material and formative assesment make a module that much more useful.
Some good science sites you may wish to check out.
http://education-portal.com/articles/10_Universities_Offering_Free_Science_Courses_Online.html
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/index.jsp
This is a good resource for current science news, especially in video format.
University Colorado simulations science
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/index.php?cat=Featured_Sims
Comparing the size of biological components
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/scale/
very cool interactive lesson on size of bacteria, virus etc.
1. click on link
2. mover slider on bottom of slide for viewing.
Photosynthesis
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.stru.photosynth/
Evolution
http://www.nationalacademies.org/evolution/
http://www.nsta.org/publications/evolution.aspx
http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/index.html
Blood typing Game
http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/landsteiner/index.html
Hope these are helpful
As I am getting ready to rock another blog this week I will defer to my thoughts of last week for this week.
I teach online and it surprised me that some in video felt they had a better connection with students teaching in the online environment than in a face to face environment. One high level leader involved with VHS felt that students should only take online courses as part time.
I feel that the biggest area in which online learning meets my students needs are in the flexibility it offers for my students to spend more or little time in different areas. They have access to many different references for receiving the information. Access to teachers time more is also more flexible and therefore more accessible.
My main concerns working in this environment are guaranteeing the authenticity of my students work. Secondly the trend if for the number of students I teach to increase. I have a difficult time creating a community of learners working with over 300 students online and it seems it will only become more of a problem in the
future.
Some thoughts online practice activities and simulations.
• I feel that the combination of Interactive multimedia applications and formative assessments are very powerful learning tools.
• Reference or reading material for the topic should be easily accessed.
• Different levels of exploration, supportive material and formative assesment make a module that much more useful.
Some good science sites you may wish to check out.
http://education-portal.com/articles/10_Universities_Offering_Free_Science_Courses_Online.html
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/index.jsp
This is a good resource for current science news, especially in video format.
University Colorado simulations science
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/index.php?cat=Featured_Sims
Comparing the size of biological components
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/scale/
very cool interactive lesson on size of bacteria, virus etc.
1. click on link
2. mover slider on bottom of slide for viewing.
Photosynthesis
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.stru.photosynth/
Evolution
http://www.nationalacademies.org/evolution/
http://www.nsta.org/publications/evolution.aspx
http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/index.html
Blood typing Game
http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/landsteiner/index.html
Hope these are helpful
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