Distance Education and Virtual Schools

1. As with everything, there are pros and cons to distance education and virtual schools. Five pros for distance education and virtual schools are:

1. Students can learn from home or anywhere! All they need is the internet.

2. Some distance education is free. The districts don't pay at all, some even make money because each student enrolled in distance education gives the district gets a certain amount of money for each student.

3. Students can do their work on their own time schedule. There is no morning bell that signifies when school begins. If a student is a morning person they can get up early and do their work then. But if a student is a night owl, then they are able to do their work at night. It is all up to the student. This brings me to my next pro for distance learning.

4. It teaches kids how to do time management to make sure they get their assignments done without a teacher reminding them. Since there is no morning or afternoon bell, it is up to the student to get all their work done with their own schedule.

5. More individualized learning can take place, as the students are able to move more at their own pace. The course syllabus and assignments are posted on the course website. This allows students to complete the assignments at their own pace. Once they finish one assignment, they can move directly to the next assignment if they are a fast-paced student. If a student needs more time on a section, then that is possible as well.



Five cons to distance education and virtual schools can be:

1. A student loses the face-face interaction with students and teachers. Their schooling is between a student, computer, and teacher. The computer aspect creates the barrier between the student and the teacher.

2. This inhibits a student's ability to work on their social skills. Students then may have a hard time being able to face the "real-world" later on in life if all they've done is distance education with virtual schools.

3. Students might not be challenged or pushed enough to get all that they can out of their learning.

4. Costs can add up depending on the program.

5. Students don't get the normal physical activity that they have when going to a normal public school. Instead they are sitting in front of a computer for hours.



2. A teacher needs to have some specific skills different than when in a classroom. One of these skills include communication. The teacher needs to be on top of their communication skills and abilities to make their class successful. If they are late in replying to threads and emails, it can impacts the student's ability to complete assignments and tests to the best of their ability. Another skill that a teacher needs to have is the ability to explain things in detail and clearly. Since they are not able to physically show the student's an example or explanation, they need to use even more detail when writing out expectations and explanations. Many teachers are knowledgeable in their content area but are not able to get this knowledge across to their students without having the student come to them daily for extra help. This kind of teacher will not work well in the distance education. I know this comes back to communication, but also includes a teacher's knowledge of their content. It takes an extra level of knowledge of their content to be able to communicate this knowledge to their students. One other skill that a teacher needs to have for a distance education is the ability to use the technology needed with confidence. Blogs, wikis, videochats, and more can be used in a virtual school. But the teacher needs to be able to work all of these programs to make it a success.



3. One thing that I found interesting and reassuring is that all teachers are certified. At least with all the programs I looked at, the teachers are certified and at least have training from the programs, if not more credibility such as a college degree. I would not like the idea of distance education and virtual schools if I knew the teachers were not accredited or had the proper training. Even though they don't have face-face interactions with the students, they still need to be able to teach as if they had a live classroom of students. The interaction and relationship still needs to be there even if through email, phone calls, and videoconferencing.



4. Two to three years from now, I can see the virtual schools and distance learning integrated even more into a public student's education. Technology is getting even more advanced and young students are wanting to be even more engaged with technology. My content is health and fitness, so I would hope that it doesn't impact my teaching much. I don't want to have to teach PE online. I would miss the student-teacher interaction. I also feel that to be a productive and effective health and fitness teacher, the student needs to be in the gym/classroom. It is hard to teach a student how to properly do a pushup without showing them physcially. P.E. is a class were physical and visual observations are necessary to be able to properly assess the students. I suppose health can be taught online, but personally I think I will prefer to teach in a classroom with live students.


5. I didn't find much information about video conferences on the sites that I went to. But if a student is doing the virtual school and digital education, then video conferencing would be a good aspect to include. This will help student-teacher interation. The student and the teacher will be able to put a face to the name, making their relationship a little more personal. It can also improve communication. If I were to do virtual school teaching, I would want to be able to use video conferencing as a way of communication with my students.

Engaging Students with Concept Mapping Activities

1. What impact might eh use of Concept mapping software have on student learning within your classroom? Give 2 or 3 specific examples.

A concept mapping software can be used in a P.E. or health class with some creativity. The use of a concept map can cater to visual learners as well as those who prefer to “map” out their thinking. One way that I can use a concept map is to show how different plays in a game will cause different outcomes. It would be a web type of map, or a rapid fire. Another way that I can use the concept mapping software is in the health classroom. One way that I can use a concept map is by having students make a map of their choice to represent the new food pyramid. They will have to incorporate all food groups with details of each food group. It will be up to them to chose the best find concept map to use to present this information.

2. Discuss the amount of time it may take to learn this type of application to the point where you would feel comfortable integrating it in your classroom. Do you think it would be worth the time?

I feel like it would not take me too long to feel comfortable with this concept mapping software. I have used a program like this before in junior high. Of course it would take time to get used to all of the different gadgets and applications that can be used. But with a few hours of touring the program and making my own maps, I think that I would be able to use it in my class, if needed. If I seriously do use it in my classroom I think I would want to take a workshop on it, just to be extremely comfortable with it. But honestly, I do not think I would have my students use the concept map in a P.E. class. However, I may use it as a way to present strategies of a game, as I mentioned in the previous question and give it to the students as a handout. In health, I may use it just as a different type of project for the students to do. It will be something different than a textbook and handouts. It is more hands on, and with some planning I know that I can come up with more lessons that can incorporate the concept mapping software.

Below is an example of a concept map that I made for a health class.

Teacher Web Reflections

1. Describe how you see the use of a class web site could support your future teaching. Describe at least 3 ways how you see the use of a class web site could be used to support your future teaching. Provide specific details for each example.
Being a physical education teacher I honestly do not see myself using a class website as much as the traditional classroom based teacher. However, I can use a website as a way to connect with my student’s parents. Through email and class news, parents can and will be up to date on their student’s P.E. class. I can also use it to have current grades posted. Every day after class I can update them online. That way students are not always coming up to ask me their grade, I can tell them to check it out themselves. The third way a website can be used in my class is as a resource for students. Instead of printing out a list of resources for students to use for class assignments and projects, I can post them on the website. This way students will not lose the paper, they just need to go online. It also helps with sustainability.

2. Identify what you see as the top 2 ways students could use a class web site to enhance their learning and provide some justifications for your selections.One way I identify a use for a class web site to enhance student learning is that it helps them become more technologically savvy. The world that we live in today is forcing everyone to know how to not only work a computer but be able to navigate the internet successfully. With the use of a classroom website, students will get even more practice of not only the internet, but also with all the content and hyperlinks involved in my website.

Another way that a class web site can enhance student learning is that it can make them more excited and motivated to complete their work. Many students love to be online and “connected” with the world. If their class assignments are online and they can check grades out online, they may be more inspired to do so. I know that asking a teacher about your grade can be intimidating, but looking it up online is very individualized and needs no human interaction. As far as their assignments, the website is a different genre than the traditional textbook. This makes learning new and more exciting for students. Again, the more excited a student is to learn, the better they will do!

3. Think about the page types and features of the Teacher Web system. What do you feel where the 2 strongest features or page types within the Teacher Web system? Why do you see these as the strongest?
My strongest features or page types in my Teacher Web are my about me page and my resources page. I feel that I did a short and concise explanation of who I am. I also showed pictures that shows students that I am someone more than just a teacher. My second page I feel is strongest is my resource page. I tried to get a multitude of resources for my students to use. There is everything from the mypyramid website, to camping and hiking resources. I added camping and hiking in because I would love to do a unit about camping and hiking skills. From there I would hope that students would go onto these sites and check out locations they can go to go camping and hiking.

Blogs & Wikis in Education

1) Identify and describe 3 interesting/innovative ways blogs and/or wikis are being used in K-12 classrooms.
After exploring a collection of the types of blogs and wikis that are out there, I have realized that all of them have an intended purpose. The way that they are being used in K-12 classrooms vary depending on the teacher and the subject. A teacher can use a wiki to present a lesson or assignment for the students. This way students can access all that is needed to complete their assignment or project from home, assuming they have computer access. Another way that wikis can be used in the classroom is in the form of a study guide. On the Welkerswikinomics website, http://welkerswikinomics.wetpaint.com/, there are study guides, lecture notes, and the full lessons all about the economics course. This is a great way for students to study as many are already on their computers in the evening and hate cracking open their textbooks. If all the information for studying is online, I believe that their studying time and habits may improve. One other way that wikis, and more specifically blogs, can be used in the classrooms is to have it set up as a journal for the students. The teacher can have the students create their own blogs that they will write on throughout the school year. This technological tool would replace the traditional notebook and pen method.

2) Describe how you might use RSS readers/aggregators within a classroom setting.
I could use RSS readers/aggregators as a ways to keep students informed on the most recent hot topics of health and fitness. I would have the students look up substantial websites like the mypyramid.gov, american heart association, or like sites, and have them create a feed for those sites. Then everyday the students would go onto their feeds to see if there are any new articles that are interesting. Once a week they would write a review on one of the articles that they have read that week.

3) Describe at least 2 pros and 2 cons of using blogs and wikis in education.
One con of using blogs and wikis in education is that not all students have computer access from home. If the homework is posted online, it makes it difficult for those students to complete it! Another con of using blogs and wikis in education is that it forces students to be submerged in technology, a concept that some look down upon. It takes away the ability to "connect one with nature" and such. But it is inevitable as techonolgy advancements only keep growing, forcing even the elderly the rely on technology.

One pro of using a wiki/and or blog in education is that it promotes sustainability. Instead of passing out handouts, a teacher can post the handouts and notes online. Students can also submit their assignments through the wiki and keep a journal on their blog. This cuts down the amount of notebooks a student has to buy, saving paper and money! Another pro of using wikis and/or blogs is that it propels them forward into the technology era. While I just said this is a con, it is also a pro. A middle school student who is already learning about wikis and blogs, will be ahead of the curve when compared to a college student, like me, who is just now learning about wikis and blogs. The age we live in is all about being able to get ahead and advancing faster. Being able to use a wiki and blog will help students now in their classes and in the future when their jobs. Students might be expected to navigate a wiki or post a blog for their company.

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

1. Identify which of the multiple intelligences you have strengths in and then discuss some of the core characteristics of that (or those) intelligences. Discuss which of the core characteristics best describe you and your learning style.

I feel like I fit many of the nine intelligences. However, I relate the best with the intrapersonal intelligence. Out of the four core characteristics, I feel that the affective awareness and self-regulation characteristics fit me best. I am very aware of my feelings, attitudes and outlooks . I know what I want and know what goals to set to get from point A to point B. As far as my learning style, I am always setting goals for myself, from tasks to get done in a certain amount of time or grades to earn. The characteristic of self-regulation is one that I do regularly. I am always my actions, thoughts and behaviors. I always try to think my actions through before acting. I also try to act as if my grandpa or my little nephew is watching me. They are both two important people who I don't want to disappoint and so if it's something that I would not want them seeing me do, think, or say, I try to refrain from it.

2. Discuss what students with this type of intelligence enjoy, are like, or tend to do within classroom settings.

A student who is intrapersonal has self-confidence and is knows what they want. They are not shy about stating their opinions. They like to communicate their feelings and they also set realistic goals, as I stated earlier. Another characteristic that these students bring to the classroom is the ability to relate to others based on their "sense of self". These are the students whom a teacher doesn't need to worry about as much as they act appropriately and are able to act fairly with all.

3. Discuss how you will support this type of intelligence within your classroom and within your teaching.

Catering to an intrapersonal student doesn't seem as difficult as other intelligences. One way that I can support this student is by assigning assignments that allow the student to have some say on the way that they complete the assignment. This could include having the student create a fitness plan. They can create their own plan and include their choice of activities as long as it meets the specific criteria. Another way I can support an intrapersonal student is by having them set fitness goals that they want to achieve. While tyring to accomplish their goal, the students can also keep a journal of their progress.

4. Discuss what technologies stimulate thus type of intelligence.

The technologies that I can incorporate into a P.E. class that supports the intrapersonal student is a journal. As I just mentioned, it can be a journal of their progress on a goal. I can also have them do self-assessments on how they think their performance is in P.E. Another technology that I can use is a reflection on what they have learned and what else they want to learn while in P.E.

5. And finally, discuss how you see your attention to multiple intelligences could impact student learning within your classroom.

By paying attention to multiple intelligences in my classroom/gym, I will be supporting all students and their learning styles. Catering to the students' intelligences, I will help their success in school, specifically P.E. but also with their success in life. I hope that by using all multiple intelligences I will be able to have students realize their own learning styles as well as the other ways that they can learn. Not only do I hope to have them realize their learning style, but also realize personal characteristics that they have. By knowing their own characteristics, they learn more about who they are, an important thing for students to learn. This is not as easy as it seems, but with intentional planning and practice, I feel confident that I will be able to reach all types of students.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog for my Educational Technology class at WSU! In this class I hope to learn more about all of the technical programs that are out there to enhance the learning experience, specifically for PE. Stay with me throughout the semester as I learn how to make a webpage, video, skype, and more.