EDLD+5386+Reflection

=EDLD 5386 Instuctional Design=

Online Learning Reflection
· What benefits do you see in educators knowing how to design and implement online learning?

There are many, many benefits of online learning and as educators we need knowledge in this area to reach out to students and staff. With online learning students have the anytime any where access to the materials. They can comment on the discussion boards and ask one another questions about the assignments. Online learning is also a great tool for staff development. Teachers have busy life styles and the flexibility that online learning provides is perfect to meet their needs. Many times in our district, presenters are given the PowerPoint, which was created by someone else, to share with the staff. The presentations could be put on a site like Schoology and the teachers could view them and post comments to the discussion board. This would safe a lot of time and would work similarly to the way we post through the Courseware in this class. Online learning is a fabulous tool that educators need to begin utilizing more often.

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

I designed a course for my third graders to use. The tasks have the students working on applying the skills we have worked on throughout the year. The students understand the skills, but need practice applying them in problem solving situations. The course has them working in groups to solve various real word problems. The problems have the students working on estimating skills, measurement, finding area and perimeter, and symmetry. The course gives them the dates of some of the activities we will do before the students begin working in groups. The course also gives them all the directions they will need in completing their task. Once the students begin working with their groups, they will be posting questions to the discussion board as well as answering reflection questions about the processes the group is going through while working on their real word problems. I feel this will be a great tool and neat online learning opportunity for the students.

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

Since I am working with third graders, I hope to integrate two or three Schoology assignments throughout the course of the year. Secondary students would be able to use the online learning more often, but with elementary students many parents are not completely comfortable letting their students work on the internet with free range. I also have to consider the fact that one third of my students do not have access to the internet from home. At the elementary level, there is not a time where the students can stay afterschool and work in the computer lab. There are two issues as a teacher I have to consider when planning online learning for my students. I will have to give the students class time to work on the assignments to make it accessible to all students. This is why I want to start with a few online learning assignments next year, then I will be able to see how the parents and students react to the new change.

· What questions do you still have about online learning?

The main question I still have about online learning is how are elementary teachers using it? Specifically how lower levels are using it successful. I feel there is a huge difference even between the fifth graders ability and comfort level with technology then with the third graders in my room. I would like to know how other educators are implementing this in their curriculum. Are the elementary students working outside of school hours or during? Where this is working successfully, do one hundred percent of the students have internet access at home? What type of activities are the students working on? What skills and objectives are being taught through online learning? Are teachers using it to introduce new skills or are they using online learning to review concepts and skills? I would love the opportunity to have a conversation with a teacher who is using online learning at the elementary level and just pick their brain to get ideas. Online learning is such a great tool and I want to be able to use it effectively with my students.

· What will you do with this new learning?

Through using the online course with Lamar and getting the opportunity to explore and work with Schoology I have learned so much about both using and designing online learning. I hope to be able to implement online learning in my classroom and get answers to many of my questions. Having the full experience with my students and the opportunity to reflect on the process will build my working knowledge of online learning. Once this process is complete, I really hope to share my experience with others. Our specials teachers (music, physical education, librarian, and art) meet with the students only once a week. If I were able to help them design online learning courses, they would be able to work with the students in between meetings. It is my goal to help these teachers communicate and give the students real life, on the spot learning activities outside of the normal once a week meeting they have now. With online learning, the specials teachers can be more effective with their instruction.