Online Instruction Course Concepts

I have enjoyed taking the course on Online Instruction. One thing that I feel will be beneficial down the road is the TPACK framework. I teach business, economics, and computer courses at a high school. The interaction of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge is one that I need to be aware of as I begin teaching Web Design next year. It is a good reminder that I need to stay sharp in all of these areas to be an effective teacher.

I also was impacted by a video that discussed giving students Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose. So much of the work done in today's classrooms has little meaning outside of the school walls. Giving students autonomy allows them to learn about something they're passionate about. This will help them achieve mastery and give purpose to their education. We would then see more engaged students and higher performance.

When it comes to students using technology, I feel I am usually at the adaptation level. I am able to pull tools into the classroom and gives students the chance to create projects that a designed around maximizing the technology.  I do a better job at infusion of technology when students are collaborating because I feel it is necessary in a group setting to give students more choice and see how they work together with their peers. Peer interactions become limited when teachers give too much instruction to students. Set the stage by giving students a task/problem and then direct them to some tools that might help. Let them figure it out and also learn how to work with others.

One use of technology I should try to do better with is using technology to set goals and self-assess. Students need to be self-assessing, but I am not aware of technology that would make that easier. I created a simple chart that students rank how much they think they know on five concepts per unit. We assess at the beginning of the unit and at the end.

Barriers as they related to Online and Blended Instruction

The implementation of online and blended instruction in schools across America will certainly create some new problems that need to be dealt with, but there will also be many educational barriers that could be overcome through this strategy. One that comes to mind is the issue of time. Many students struggle to find the time to do their homework or attend class on a regular basis. The concept of asynchronous learning gives us an opportunity to create meaningful learning opportunities and assessments that can be done by the student when time allows.

Using blended/online instruction could also help educate students about digital citizenship and how to make good choices on the Internet. Creating a good Acceptable Use Policy would be critical to the success of any school that is using Online instruction.

I think the biggest key to the success of an online course is to create learning objects that can capture the attention of students (prezi, voki, toondoo, etc.) and allow them to engage content in a new way.