Topic5

= Learning Topic 5: = =Online Teaching and Learning =

Background/Rationale
Online learning (also referred to as E-Learning) has been around as early as the 1990's, but is rapidly becoming the future of education. Students from around the world are receiving content through Internet, audio/video recordings, satellite TV, etc. Online learning is more flexible than a traditional classroom because it can be self-paced or instructor led and a variety of media can be utilized. Online learning is more common with higher learning, but recently it is making its way to K-12 education. There are many supporters of online education, but many skeptics as well.

Learner Outcomes

 * Evaluate components of online learning.
 * Evaluate marketing strategies for online learning.
 * Compare and contrast online learning lesson plans vs. traditional lessons.
 * Examine and evaluate online learning environments.

Readings and Research

 * Optional Readings (May be helpful with your research paper):**
 * **The National Repository of Online Courses (NROC)** is a growing library of high-quality online course content for students and faculty in higher education, high school and Advanced Placement. @http://www.montereyinstitute.org/nroc/
 * Managing Learning: Next Generation Learning Systems
 * Best Practices in Teaching K12 Online: Lessons Learned From Michigan Virtual Schools Teachers
 * Promises and Pitfalls of Virtual Education in the United States and Indiana
 * Online Schools - //Online Schooling K-12// - @http://www.onlineschools.org/online-schooling-k-12/
 * eLearnspace - @http://www.elearnspace.org/starting/k12.htm
 * MIT Open Source Courseware - @http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
 * //Strong Communication Key to Online Learning// - @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2009/10/06/strong-communication-key-to-online-learning/
 * //New Report Highlights Barriers to Online Learning// - @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/11/11/new-report-highlights-barriers-to-online-learning/print/
 * //Growth to Online Instruction Continues, Though Unevenly// - @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/11/16/growth-of-online-instruction-continues-though-unevenly/print/


 * //Ischool Lifts Hope in NYC// - @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2009/05/15/ischools-lift-hopes-in-nyc/print/
 * //eSN Report: Blended Learning on the Rise// - @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/10/27/esn-special-reportblended-learning-on-the-rise/print/
 * Five Lessons From the Nation’s Best Online Teacher - @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/09/13/five-lessons-from-the-nations-best-online-teache/
 * Tips and Tricks for Teaching Online: How to Teach Like a Pro - @http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Oct_04/article04.htm
 * WorldWideLearn - //7 Success Strategies for Distance Learners// - @http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/distance-learning-success.htm
 * Campus Technology - //13 Tips for Virtual World Teaching// - @http://campustechnology.com/articles/2008/01/13-tips-for-virtual-world-teaching.aspx
 * //"Teacher Cheerleaders" Make Online Learning Successful -// @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/04/04/teacher-cheerleaders-make-online-learning-successful/print/
 * //Michigan Uses Online Learning to Reach At-Risk Students// - @http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/06/02/michigan-uses-online-learning-to-reach-at-risk-students/print/
 * Preparing Teachers to Teach Online - http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/TeachingOnline.htm


 * Library Resource:**
 * Books 24/7 - @http://libguides.regis.edu/atozdatabases
 * Education Weekly (EdWeek) keywords: online, online learning, distance learning


 * Online Magazines:**
 * Tech&Learning - @http://www.techlearning.com/
 * THE Journal - @http://thejournal.com/Home.aspx
 * Journal of Educational Technology & Society - @http://www.ifets.info/
 * Education Week: Digital Directions - @http://www.edweek.org/dd/
 * eLearn Magazine - @http://www.elearnmag.org/
 * Edutopia - @http://www.edutopia.org/


 * Additional Resources (Specific to Online Learning)**
 * Journal of Interactive Online Learning - @http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/
 * Journal of Online Teaching and Learning - @http://jolt.merlot.org/
 * E-Learning Academic Journals - @http://www.elearners.com/guide/faq-glossary/academic-journals/
 * American Journal of Distance Education - @http://www.ajde.com/
 * K12 - @http://www.k12.com/


 * Search Terms**
 * E-Learning
 * Distance Learning
 * Distance Education
 * Online Learning

Field Experience
Contact a K-12 online teacher and interview them (at least 10 questions) about their online teaching experience and obtain a lesson plan for an online learning class. Also, gather information on the training they received to prepare them for teaching in this learning environment. If you know a K-12 student who has completed online courses, you may interview them about their learning experience. Also gather information on how they were prepared for this learning environment. Complete a 250-500 word summary about what an online teacher’s or student’s experience is like. Submit the essay and a copy of the interview questions and answers to Topic5_StudentPage.

Class discussion will be generated on this topic later in the week.

5.1 Online Learning Terminology
When researching online learning you will encounter terminology that is interchanged throughout a document; but do the phrases really mean the same thing? Research and define the following phrases. Determine the similarities and differences between them so that the in-depth research on online education in the following activities will be more meaningful to you. Create a graphic representation of the definitions, similarities and differences using a program of your choice and submit it to the Topic5_StudentPage. Class discussion will be generated following submission.
 * online learning
 * blended learning
 * distance learning
 * electronic learning
 * e-learning
 * virtual learning
 * outreach learning

Assignment will be checked for accuracy and completion.
 * 5.1 Assessment - 10 points**

5.2 Online Learning Proposal
//**(Capstone Project Suggestion)**// Many students have either been a part of online learning or have heard something about it, but many people are not educated about it. You are going to conduct research about different components of online learning for K-12 learning and then create a needs assessment of the online learning availability in your own district. You will need to research the following:
 * Best practices for K12 Online Learning Programs
 * Best practices for teaching K12 Online Learning
 * Best practices for student success in K12 Online Learning
 * How is your district providing an online learning environment?
 * What type of programs and classes are being offered?
 * What are the requirements for students?
 * What are the expectations for teachers?
 * What professional development is offered?

A table such as the one below may help with gathering data: K12 Online Programs || Best Practices Being Met by District || Best Practices Not Being Met by District || Recommendations || Teaching K12 Online Learning || Best Practices Being Met by District || Best Practices Not Being Met by District || Recommendations || Successful Students in K12 Online Learning || Best Practices Being Met by District || Best Practices Not Being Met by District || Recommendations ||
 * Best Practices of
 * Best Practices for
 * Best Practices for
 * Best Practices for
 * Best Practices for

After conducting your research you will create a presentation proposal to the school board. Your proposal should one that:
 * Addresses: **
 * Online learning uses in the K12 environment
 * Educational theories evidenced in the online instruction
 * Best practices – program, teaching, student
 * Best practices for K12 Online Learning Programs
 * Best practices for teaching K12 online learning
 * Best practices for student success with online learning
 * Compare/contrast table that focuses on traditional learning environments and online environments
 * Benefits/disadvantages of K12 distance education
 * District online instruction: what is being done and not
 * Types of online programs and classes offered by the district
 * Student requirements for such programs
 * Professional development for teachers of online programs offered by the district
 * Expectations of teachers by the online programs
 * Recommendations to improve the quality/performance of online learning in the district.
 * Benefits to the district and its students through distance education
 * Recommendations to the minimize the disadvantages of distance education – identify any potential roadblocks and make a plan
 * APA Annotative Bibliography with a minimum of 5 resources.


 * Appropriate for audience **
 * Time length 5-10 minutes **
 * Clear and concise **
 * Layout communicates information precisely
 * Specific objectives are set so as to determine what audience should think and do differently after presentation.
 * Problems and solutions are identified
 * Information is sequenced to that it tells a story

Organization Graphics & Images Text
 * Visually appealing – design elements **
 * Agenda presented within first 3 slides; then information should follow the agenda.
 * Major point on each slide
 * Informative titles inform of slides’ purpose and importance within 3 seconds.
 * Template matches audience and purpose
 * Slides are easy to view – colors, textures and backgrounds are not distracting.
 * Images are persuasive and support message
 * Graphics are attention grabbers: keeps audience engaged
 * Diagrams and illustrations communicate clearly
 * Photos are best; avoid cartoons
 * Photos sized for quick upload; 72 dpi, jpeg format
 * Charts have simple and clear focus
 * Arrows, circles or symbols call attention to important points.
 * Phrases not sentences – put full explanation in the notes section
 * Parallel structure – all phrases start the same way (all verbs or all nouns)
 * Fonts – size 20 -24 pt; san serif (Arial or Tahoma)
 * Abbreviations limited to ones the audience would understand
 * Spelling is checked


 * Measurement of Presentation Success **
 * Decide how you will measure the success of your presentation
 * Did your presentation convince or propel your audience to action?

Your proposal should in a presentation format using a program of your choosing. You will need an annotated bibliography of a minimum of 5 sources using the APA format. Post your presentation to the Topic5_StudentPage


 * 5.2 Assessment: (100 points)**

5.3: Finding Similarities and Differences Between Online and Traditional Learning
Throughout the week, you have been investigating online education and now you will share your experiences and thoughts with your peers. Think about the similarities and differences between the online and traditional learning lesson plans. On the class blog, 601 Big Class Blog, post your thoughts and participate in an online discussion on the similarities and differences between online and traditional learning. Use the following questions to assist with the class discussion:
 * 1) What makes for a successful online class?
 * 2) What makes for a successful traditional class?
 * 3) What similarities/differences stand out?
 * 4) Are there more similarities or differences?
 * 5) What appear to be the key components of an online lesson?
 * 6) What educational theories are evidenced in online lessons?
 * 7) What elements of Marzano and Bloom are evident in the online lesson?


 * 5.3 Assessment:** (40 points)

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Alternative: Experiencing Free/Open Source Courses
There are many free/open source courses available for anyone to participate in. You are going to enroll for a course and complete a portion of the course or its entirety.

After completing the class/course, blog about your experiences. Your reflection should include:
 * Summary of the course
 * Design of the course
 * Presentation of material and how it's different from face-to-face learning
 * How the course offered a rich learning experience
 * Reflection on the educational theories found in the course design
 * Challenges and benefits to online learning in K-12 education
 * Assessment (40 points):**

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**//Due Friday, April 15th//** -
 * Homework Assignments **
 * Finish 5.2: Online Learning Proposal //(100 points)////.// Due ** Monday, April 18th **//-// submit to Topic5_StudentPage.
 * 5.3 Blogging about Similarities/Differences between Online and Traditional Instruction //(16 points) -// //Submit on 601 Big Class Blog////.//
 * Complete Topic 6 Field Experience for next class, April 12th.