Adventures in Online Learning!!!

A Quick Look at Online Curriculum

By Jennifer P. Bennett

University of West Georgia

Table of Contents

I. Read Me First II. Purpose and Rationale III. Audience IV. Supporting Standards

-AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

-National Technology Standards for Teachers

V. Guiding Questions VI. Objectives VII. Definition of Online Learning

Table of Contents continued…

VIII. Apex Learning Overview IX. K12, Inc. Overview X. List of Other Online Learning Sites XI. Benefits XII. Limitations XIII. Guided Practice XIV. Feedback XV. Future Availability XVI. References

Read Me First!!

The goal of this module is to provide the reader with an overview of online learning curriculum and sites. Before beginning, please take a moment to click on the read me first sheet.

For the module plan template, please click here.

Purpose and Rationale

The purpose of this module is to give an overview of digital curriculum (online learning), what it is, what it has to offer, and how use of it can benefit the middle school arena. After reading through the information presented, the participant will have a greater understanding of digital curriculum and how it can lead to educational success for both students and teachers.

Audience

The intended audience of this module includes administrators, teachers, and parents who want to know what options are available to supplement, enrich, and bolster educational methods for attaining student achievement.

Supporting Standards

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Learners will inquire, think critically, and gain

knowledge:1.1.2 Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.

1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.

1.3.5 Use information technology responsibly. 1.4.1 Monitor own information-seeking processes for effectiveness

and progress, and adapt as necessary1.4.4 Seek appropriate help when it is needed.

Supporting Standards continued…

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Learners will draw conclusions, make

informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.

2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by completing products to express learning.

2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.

2.4.3 Recognize new knowledge and understanding.

Supporting Standards continued…

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Learners will share knowledge and participate

ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.

3.1.2 Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.

3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.

3.4.2 Assess the quality and effectiveness of the learning process.

Supporting Standards continued…

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner Learners will pursue personal and aesthetic

growth. 4.1.5 Connect ideas to own interests and previous knowledge and

experience.

4.4.1 Identify own areas of learning.

4.4.2 Recognize the limits of own personal knowledge.

Supporting Standards continued…

National Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T): 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:

a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative

thinking and inventiveness.

Supporting Standards continued…

National Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T): 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences

and Assessments Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning

experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital

tools and resources.

Supporting Standards continued…

National Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T): 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:

b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using

learner-centered strategies providing equitable

access to appropriate digital tools and resources.

Supporting Standards continued…

National Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T): 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:

a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve

student learning.

Supporting Standards continued…

b. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others.

c. evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning.

Guiding Questions for Module

How will this product benefit my students? How will this product aid me as a teacher? Is this product an improvement over the way

things are done at present? What educational goals will it help my school

meet? How accessible is this product for my

students?

Guiding Questions for Product

Does it offer middle school courses? Does it tailor to different learning styles? Does it allow self-pacing? Does it offer online support for the child? Is the curriculum or virtual school accredited?

Guiding Questions for Product continued…. Can you look at syllabi for courses before

ordering/ enrolling in them? What is the cost of accessing/ purchasing this

product? Are demonstrations available? Is the curriculum based on state (Georgia

Performance Standards [GPS]) or Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?

Objectives

The teacher will understand… what types of online curriculum are offered to

aid them in intervention of students a better understanding of what online learning

can do for a student in order to feel and be successful

Where to go to find out more about the differing programs offered

What is Online Learning or E-learning? The following definition encompasses well they many

facets implied in online learning. E-learning is essentially the computer and network-

enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. E-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual education opportunities and digital collaboration. Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV, and CD-ROM. It can be self-paced or instructor-led and includes media in the form of text, image, animation, streaming video and audio (Wikipedia, 2011).

Apex Learning- What is it?

Apex Learning is a web-based online learning company in Seattle, Washington.

They offer differing course pathways. These are courses tailored to meet individual needs of students (i.e. literacy, accelerated, etc.).

Middle school courses are the foundational courses within the pathways system. These are four students ages 13 and up.

For the 2011-2012 school year they offer courses in math, science, reading, and writing.

Apex Learning is a web-based online learning company in Seattle, Washington.

They offer differing course pathways. These are courses tailored to meet individual needs of students (i.e. literacy, accelerated, etc.).

Middle school courses are the foundational courses within the pathways system. These are four students ages 13 and up.

For the 2011-2012 school year they offer courses in math, science, reading, and writing.

Apex Learning- Access and Goals

To gain access to a course, a school pays an enrollment fee for 12 months (one school year).

It will help middle schools as an intervention and remediation tool to booster student achievement. Also, the site itself describes the Response to Intervention (RTI) process.

Apex correlates with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

K12, Inc.- What is it?

K12, Inc. is a Virginia based online school that offers full and part time curriculum as well as individual courses for sale.

They offer free public online school and (for a fee) an online private school.

The free public online school delivers offline materials (books, study guides) for free to your home.

This online curriculum allows students to work at their own pace and accounts for differing learning styles.

Students do have a “learning coach” and a teacher to help them set and maintain a pace that is good for them.

K12, Inc.- Access and Goals

Course offerings for the Kindergarten to 8th grade program is: English/ Language Arts, Math, Science, History, World Languages, Art, and Music.

To gain access to a course, a school pays an enrollment fee for 12 months (one school year). These can be broken down into semesters or a full year.

K12, Inc. could be used as an intervention with struggling students or provide needed enrichment for accelerated learners.

K12, Inc. continued…

K12, Inc. has satellite schools that deliver their contact all over the United States. Specifically, the virtual school in Georgia is the Georgia Cyber Academy (GCA).

GCA provides instruction for Kindergarten through 10th grade.

Benefits of Online Learning

Helps struggling learners to gain needed skills to get back on track and/or excel

Students can work at their own pace Offers courses that may not be available in some

schools ( enrichment for accelerated/ gifted students) Online learning has begun to tailor programs to

accommodate differing learning styles. Less money to enroll in a course online. This would

help with budget cuts in school districts having to get rid of courses. An online course may be the answer!

Limitations of Online Learning

Students would need to learn motivation to daily log-in and go through lessons and material.

Student would need to be self-pacing in order to complete courses and assignments in a timely fashion.

Not all students have access to computers or the internet at home.

Guided Practice- Examining websites of online learning companies Practice makes perfect! We will examine the

following websites on the next slide to see what type of information they provide about their product.

Use the attached excel sheet as a quick reference to determine if the online curriculum will meet a student’s/ teacher’s/ school’s needs.

Other Online Learning Sites

Connections Academy -accredited, free public online K-12 school.

Advanced Academics -offers middle and high school courses in grades 6-12 online.

KC Distance Learning - provides distance learning courses for middle and high school students online and by correspondence in mail.

Florida Virtual School (FLVS) - online school offering over 90 courses in K-12 grades.

Participant Feedback

Thank you for your participation! Please provide me with your feedback.

Click here to open a brief survey.

Future Availability

Please understand that online learning is a wonderful tool that can be employed in a variety of ways. I believe that Gladden Middle School would benefit from using it as an intervention resource for struggling students.

I will be happy to answer any questions or help you in your explorations of online learning websites! Please email me at: Jennifer.bennett@murray.k12.ga.us.

References

Advanced Academics. (2011). Online School. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.advancedacademics.com/

American Association of School Librarians. (2007). AASL standards for the 21st-century learner [PDF Document]. Retrieved June 6, 2011, from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_LearningStandards.pdf

Apex Learning. (2011). Curriculum: Pathways. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.apexlearning.com/Curriculum/Pathways.htm

Apex Learning. (2011). Middle School Solutions: 2011-2012 School Year [PDF Document]. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.apexlearning.com/Solutions/Transition.htm

References continued…

Christensen, C.M., Horn, M.B., & Johnson, C.W. (2011). Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.

Connections Academy. (2011). Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.connectionsacademy.com/home.aspx

E-learning. (2011). Definition of e-learning. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning

Florida Virtual School. (2011). About Us. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.flvs.net/areas/aboutus/Pages/default.aspx

References Continued…

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). Nets for Teachers [PDF Document]. Retrieved June 6, 2011, from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

KC Distance Learning. (2011). Retrieved July 18, 2011 from http://kcdistancelearning.com/

K12, Inc. (2011). Schools and Programs: K-8 Programs. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://www.k12.com/schools-programs/k-8-program