"For this book, the term elearning means that the learning environment:
- Is enhanced with digital technologies, particularly but not necessarily computer-mediated communication software
- Involves learning situations where interaction between the student and instructor is mediated in some way
- Uses technology in an ongoing and consistent way, not in isolated events
- Is learner-centered
- Focuses on students with instructor and student with student interaction
- Uses a wide variety of resources"
Also, I love that they include the blended aspect of online education. We are striving to create content that teachers can take into their classrooms and use however they see fit. Maybe it is to teach the lesson, maybe it is for review...either way to create amazing online content to be used in different environments is rewarding and challenging! And it is a challenge that I wake up and getting excited about conquering day after day. Maybe a small battle today...maybe a bigger one tomorrow! But in the hopes that what we do in our profession is helping the kids that can't attend a face-to-face school and hopefully providing teachers with resources that they can use so that with ALL the other things that they are now responsible for...they can do what they do best...TEACH!!
Well said! What you and Tami do day after day is extremely important to the students touched by the environments you ladies create. Being in a school where most of the teaching is face-to-face, I recognize that this type of structure does not work for everyone. I think Gwinnett realizes this as well with the creation of the Gwinnett On-line campus. You provide resources to students who may miss out whether they don't like the face-to-face interaction or would prefer to have a home-school feel. To do so, you must create an environment which is not only instructional but stimulating to the senses. That is a tremendous challenge and one you seem to look forward to everyday. You are exactly the type of person to do what you do. Nice work!!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm not your blog buddy; however, I wanted to see what you would write on this topic..so here I am!
ReplyDeleteI like where you are taking elearning. With elementary school students, the hybrid model makes the most sense to me. As a teacher, I love the idea of having on-line resources available for review, remediation, and enrichment. The Gwinnett On-line campus has short tutorials on major topics in math. These are a wonderful resource for students and for their parents who may have forgotten a concept and just need a quick review. The challenge-which you handle so well- is to make the lesson visually appealing, concise, and engaging.
It seem that GAVS (and its wonderful developers like you and Tami) is really focused on creating interactive eLearning courses that provided students with stimulating, meaningful instruction. I love what eLearning has to offer, although I don't think it's right for all students. I suppose the same can be said about traditional learning environment. I also don't think eLearning is the future of education, but I do hope more school systems take the initiative to offer alternative learning environments for their students. Just like we discussed with standardized testing, we make all kids take the same multiple choice test after placing so much emphasis on their learning style. eLearning is a good fit for some students and not for others. It'd be nice if more students had a choice when it came to deciding which type of environment is right for them.
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I think you should be proud of all you, Tami, and the rest of the virtual school does. Unfortunately, I'm not sure all virtual schools can claim the same type of courses or develop them with such a broad vision of what virtual learning can be. I'm sure that your enthusiasm for your work is also a big plus. Seeing you excited and reading your blogs about the work you do, makes me excited to see the work you do and what opportunities there are for students to get an excellent eLearning experiences.
ReplyDeleteTwila, I love your positive thinking!! Yes, it is hard to build a good eLearning environment but trying to deal with one at a time will be definitely rewarded in the future. I can't imagine what the school would look even 5 years from now. Thanks to all of your strive, our students will have better education!
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