2. “So, does this ever happen to you?
Where students just Google the
worksheet you give, find the answer
key, and then fill in the blanks?”
--Anonymous Teacher, Altus
High School, March 2015
3. Why?
If the purpose is simply to do the same thing but with technology, it is not worth the effort of making the
transition.
The “why” should be answered by the staff/leaders of the staff. While there are many reasons, a
clearly agreed upon reasoning will provide the foundation to refer back to as questions in course
development arise.
That being said, technology is capable of revolutionizing education. Thus, when making a schoolwide
switch, it is advised to select a group of teachers who are on board, and then expand as time goes.
(Cite email, personal experience)
4. Change of Mind
● Adequate support
● Consistency Across Classrooms
● Using the Advantages of Online Learning
● Avoiding the Pitfalls of Online Learning
8. Consistency
● LMS Options: Edmodo, Schoology, Moodle, Canvas, Teamie, etc.
● Consistent course structures that follow best practices
online orientation before beginning class (http://www.inacol.org/cms/wp-
content/uploads/2013/02/iNACOL_CourseStandards_2011.pdf)
o up front description of course expectations
o student introductions (social presences)
o organization
o timely feedback from instructor (social presence)
● Netiquette is taught and enforced
9. Reaping the Benefits of Online Learning
● multiple modes of assessment/learning
● individualization
● applicable life skill
● students enjoy learning this way
10. Best Practices
Click the speaker to hear this
slide’s information.
Click a picture to be
transferred to the
corresponding
website/resource
11. Avoiding the Pitfalls of Technology
● not rigorous enough
● duplicating what could/should be done using
paper/pencil
● Classroom management of a blended
classroom
13. Works Cited
“Educause 7 Things You Should Know About…” series by EDUCAUSE is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0
Editor's Notes
During my planning period, I often spend my time at the copy machine, running off sheaths and sheaths of paper. The enviromentalist in me cringes, but I justify the paper usage with the defense that it is for learning. On one such day, as I was battling the jams and the misfeeds, another teacher came in.
“So, does this ever happen to you? Where students just Google the worksheet you give, find the answer key, and then just fill in all the blanks?”
It was a legitimate question and the topic of debate in the Altus High School copy room. A frustrated teacher spends her time planning, only to find that students are easily cheating, and then passing her class without actually learning. Technology is uprooting the education system, whether we are ready or not. Students know how to find answers. Teachers need to be prepared to ask higher level questions, to invite students to make connections, and to support students in taking ownership of their own learning. Making the switch from a “traditional” to a “blended learning” school is a change of mind as well as a change of practice.
Altus High currently has several student computers in each classroom as well as personal devices. The extent to which technology is used varies drastically on the teacher, in both frequency of use as well as the user. Next year, iPads will be provided to every student on Day One. It is critical to make the switch effectively, rather than providing an expensive toy, or worse, a personal cheater, for each student. This manifesto scrutinizes crucial components to be addressed with staff to help change the mindset as well as the culture of the school. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, there are online teaching practices that prove most effective, and these should be actively pursued.
This is the starting point. If teachers use a consistent LMS, students need only remember 1 password/username to be access all of his classes. This does not mean the teacher is limited to the LMS, but rather, it is a central location to link to any/all other necessary resources. http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-navigating-new-learning-ecosystem
