EDLD+5368

· Wh at benefits do you see in educators knowing how to design and implement online learning?

I see several benefits to implementing online courses. First, each student will experience a sense of equality. Each individual has the same opportunity to "speak up" by posting messages without typical distractions that often occur in a traditional classroom setting. Secondly, the teachers or instructors are more available than a traditional classroom teacher. Students in traditional courses, no longer have to worry if they cannot make an instructor's regular office hours, as they still have the ability to submit questions via e-mail at any time. Another benefit of incorporating online learning is the activities are student-centered. Every student is different and has a different way of retaining information. Some students are visual learners, some learn better when they "learn by doing." Online learning permits the instructor to build one course, yet implement a variety of resources, so students can utilize materials in whichever way works best for them. Finally, online learning allows students the opportunity to explore. When a teacher references a website as support for content reinforcement the students can see how course material is utilized in "real world" situations. The advantages of online education make a significant impact in higher education today and, as technology evolves, promise to deliver even greater benefits in the future.

 · How will you professionally use your course that you designed?

For both teachers and students, the introduction of online technologies has significantly changed the classroom learning experience. From various types of software to chat rooms and social networking sites that allows students to communicate immediately with other students, the technology commonly found in today’s classrooms is offering teachers and students many new tools that have the potential to dramatically improve learning. The online course that I created is another tool that students can utilize to maximize their personal level of understanding in my course. I will more than likely make changes to my course to include not just the American Civil War, but Early American History from Jamestown to the American Civil War. I would like implement the blended format of an online course. I could post assignments and interact with my students an a regular basis via email. This method would be an efficient way to help homebound or homeschooled students become more active in the participation of the class discussions and homework.

· Will you integrate online learning in your role as a teacher/staff developer?

As students begin to utilize technology at home, it only makes sense that technology will become an intrical part of their school day as well. Implementing technology in the classroom not only helps keep students on task, but it brings about a new way of teaching through online learning opportunities. While new teachers entering the workforce are trained in how to integrate technology into their teaching, experienced teachers see technology as a new tool they have to familiarize themselves with for effective usage. I would begin to develop courses that represent my core strengths. In my current teaching assignment I would like to design a blended course that students could use from home when they are unable to attend school. The blended course format would be an excellent tool for home school students and students that need to recover credits at the high school level. I would also like to implement the online course format for staff development. It would be a great tool for teachers to utilize and they could gain their necessary professional development hours at their own convenience.

· What questions do you still have about online learning?

I have some concerns about online learning. If a student has a learning style that requires one on one time with a teacher, How do you accommodate this type of learner? As online learning is becoming more accepted as an accredited method of obtaining an education, how does a student try to convince a prospective employer that the education they obtained online is comparable to a traditional degree? How do you help a new student that is willing to enroll in an online course, but has inferior technology skills? While obtaining my undergraduate degree, my classes often got together for study groups. After a couple of hours of studying we go out as group and interact outside of the classroom. I made lasting friendships through this process. How can an online course offer an opportunity for social interaction? How can online learning provide more support for students? Students are expected to find their own resources for completing assignments and exams, which is empowering for some, but daunting for others. How can an online course incorporate the traditional atmosphere of attending a major university? I believe a major part of the traditional college experience, of course, is the beauty of the campus, the college spirit, but you have none of that with distance-education courses.

· What will you do with this new learning? At the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year I plan to distribute the learning style to all of my students to help meet the needs of my students. The methods presented to help develop essential questions was very resourceful. I plan to implement this format in the design of my staff development projects. The six facets of learning rubric is an ideal model for a rubric. I believe that this model will be very valuable as an aid to help me develop higher level and critical thinking activities in the future. I intend on developing or maintaining my current schoology course for the next school year. I would like to incorporate the blended model of online learning. The blended course format would be an excellent tool for home school students and students that need to recover credits at the high school level. Through implementation of the blended course format references that I make about websites and other online references will help to enhance “real world” experiences for students.