EDLD5368-InstructionalDesign

In my Instructional Design course, we created an online course using Schoology. (My course is found here.) To end the Instructional Design course, I am answering the following questions: · What benefits do you see in educators knowing how to design and implement online learning? · How will you professionally use your course that you designed? · Will you integrate online learning in your role as a teacher/staff developer? · What questions do you still have about online learning? · What will you do with this new learning?

=** What benefits do you see in educators knowing how to design and implement online learning? **= In order to prepare students to compete in the future global business arena, it will be beneficial for educators to know how to provide digital opportunities for students to learn how to communicate and collaborate with empathy and creativity to anyone, anywhere. Creating online learning opportunities for students will give them some practice with these 21st Century skills. While some teachers feel comfortable using digital tools, the same teachers may not feel at home in creating online learning. Online learning is a step beyond learning how to use a photo website or a webcam. Online learning requires much planning ahead of time to develop, assign, and assess activities that students will complete on a computer. Virtual classrooms pave the way for the future jobs that our students will hold. The book A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink is one that is talked about on my campus. //A Whole New Mind// discusses using right-brained skills in a left-brained world. Just as students will need to exercise right-brained skills like creativity and empathy, the ability to work and communicate in digital spaces will be an important skill to have. By implementing online learning, educators are doing one more thing to ensure that their students will be able to compete on a global level.

= How will you professionally use your course that you designed? = I would integrate my online course to help other staff members learn about Schoology as an option for a place to house online courseware. Since Moodle is used more widely in Highland Park ISD, teachers tend to gravitate toward it. Schoology offers a different format with similar capabilities to Moodle, and it is good to show teachers that there are choices available to them. Hopefully it will motivate teachers to feel comfortable trying new things with their students. It is great to couple Schoology with other digital applications in order to provide a broad range of technology to my students and/or staff. It is important that students learn how to deal with overwhelming amounts of information, and being able to choose the appropriate applications that best suit their solution is a great skill to have. I think that using a blog or wiki with Schoology or Moodle can model how to be creative in combining tools. I have found Edublogs to be a safe weblog environment for students in 6th grade, and I created one assignment in Schoology asking students to comment on my Edublogs page. Since the parents of my students are already aware of the Edublogs environment, it was an easy choice to join the two applications together. Plus, students are exposed to two school-related pages at once, making them learn how to interact with both. = Will you integrate online learning in your role as a teacher/staff developer? = From the North American Council for Online Learning's document entitled, "Professional Development for Virtual Schooling and Online Learning," Niki Davis and Ray Rose state that “Online educators and facilitators will need to develop skills and to adapt with the changing technology, because the online environment is one of constant changes. (Davis and Rose, 2009, p.10)” I would integrate online learning with the campus staff, especially given that technology constantly changes. It is important to stay current with the latest tools, as well as any policies that may affect education. It is challenging to keep up with tomorrow's trends, and as a technology leader on the campus, it will be my responsibility to do so. There is a lot to juggle, between supporting teachers and their classrooms, keeping up with inventory, offering professional development, and working with administrators. Reading about the latest research-based tools will have to fit into the schedule somewhere. "Practicing online teachers will continue to benefit from a professional development community with the latest research, studies, and technologies that may affect their field.(Davis and Rose, 2009, p.15)" I would want to make sure that teachers feel that I am a reliable source for educational technology support. I also want to provide opportunities to all students and make sure that teachers are aware of the importance of equity as well. "It is important to include equity considerations because cultural experience and cultural representation is part of teaching and learning, so diversity in both instruction and course design benefits everyone. (Davis and Rose, 2009, p.13) Individualizing the learning experience is a continuous process, and it does not stop with the integration of technology. Rather, technology use should enhance it. = What questions do you still have about online learning? = With the constant changes occurring with online learning, I wonder about the safety issues around cyber-bullying. I hope to learn more about the educator’s role in students’ safety while using digital applications and would like to get students, parents, and the community involved with staying aware of the latest ideas in helping students to navigate safely and responsibly around the web. I am fortunate to work in a district that continues to provide access to online tools as teachers see fit. They trust us to choose options that will be beneficial to the learning experience at hand. With the help of the technology facilitators, we are able to enjoy a freedom in researching and finding new tools to introduce into the classroom. We also are taught to educate the parents about any technological tools that the students may use. As a leader on my campus, I would want to support teachers through this process. When all stakeholders are aware of the students’ environment, whether it is in a face-to-face classroom or an online classroom, everyone can contribute to the safety of student identities and help guide them to navigate the web with good digital citizenship.

=What will you do with this new learning? = “Research shows that a technology savvy administrator contributes substantially to the success of learning in the school. A knowledgeable and forward-looking administrator is critical to the success of virtual schooling. (Davis and Rose, 2009, p.6)” As a technology leader, I will work with the leadership in the district to help HPISD stay ahead of the curve in using technology in education. Being average is not a part of the Highland Park culture. Students and parents both expect the best experiences possible, and accessible technology is certainly part of it. The Administration will have my support in helping teachers to create these experiences in and beyond their classrooms. It will also be a continuous endeavor to maintain buy-in from staff. “Nonetheless, whenever reform ideas are proffered, it is common to hear a chorus of “Yes, but…” from well-intentioned teachers and administrators. (Wiggins and McTighe, 2005, p.302)” Professional development should not overwhelm the staff but motivate them to use the new tools. To close, this video about 21st Century Learning shows how students need to learn digital skills for future employment. The competition will be students from other countries, and we can help them to be prepared. media type="youtube" key="vdjpffcVSOs" height="385" width="480"

Resources:
 Davis, N. & Rose, R. (2009). NACOL: //Professional Development for Virtual Schooling and Online Learning//. Retrieved from []

Digital Learning Testimonials YouTube Video retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdjpffcVSOs

Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2005). //Understanding By Design//. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall retrieved from []

A Whole New Mind book cover from Daniel Pink's Website, www.danpink.com