My district is just now exploring online learning. We are in the beginning stages of a blended style. We are going to start with existing students and classes at grades 6-12. The initial step will be to extend the classroom outside the physical building. This will give students 24/7 access to the necessary data for their class. All course information will be conducted through this portal. As things progress, after school discussions, chats, assignments, and more will be done using the portal and Elluminate. After teachers and staff get acquainted with the system we will start having students, mainly juniors and seniors who are on track to graduate and students who are ill or suspended, participate in live classroom sessions. Our goal is not to create a separate virtual school but to give more access to our current students.
My students are learning 21st century skills daily. I believe it is my job, as Director of Technology, to give students the opportunity to experience things they will encounter outside of school. Using things like LMS, iPads, iPods, laptops, and many web based services like blogs, wikis, podcasting, and more, will give them a good head start on what they will probably encounter in college and the workforce.
I understand the legislation but I am concerned that additional regulations and court action by the union will hamper the progress of virtual schools. I work in a school that participates in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (I know, a political hot potato, which many public school teachers disagree with, but that is not the discussion). I have seen what legislation has done to good schools in this program and am afraid that the same thing could happen to virtual schools. Choice and virtual schools can be as successful, maybe more successful, than public schools, if given the opportunity. I fear that the opportunity may not arise.
On a final not, I really enjoyed this class. It was very interactive and meaningful. I am hoping to be able to use these skills in my job as I provide professional development to faculty and staff.
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Mike, as an outsider looking-in I was surprised at the number of courses the Madison Metropolitan School District currently offers (115) and the plans to expand offerings to students and teachers. Most of the content is provided by other school districts and they seem to rely heavily on curriculum from Florida Virtual. Also, they only have 3 content teachers. Madison, is moving but it seems like they are not moving fast enough.
ReplyDeleteThe 21st century skills you and your school provide by way of wikis, LMS', etc. will be ubiquitous in the workplace by the time students graduate. In the past 2-3 years the amount of collaborative, distributed technologies proliferated at my former company.
I am fearful that Virtual Schools will become a 'wild card' for teachers and students in Wisconsin. Employers are attracted to Wisconsin because the State does a fine job of creating a diverse, well-educated labor pool. My fear is that curriculum will become homogenized and lose the characteristics of what currently makes a public education in Wisconsin desirable.
Many issues to stay on top of Mike - You are in a position to lead your district forward and I believe you have an obligation to share what you know about online learning with your school community. I know you do not take that responsibility lightly and your students will benefit from your commitment.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in thoughtfully moving your district forward,
Greg Mahaffey