Last year, I convinced my school to let me create my first online course on podcasting/vodcasting for building professional development. The idea was that teachers would take three levels of the course 1. integrating an already found podcast or vodcast into their classes (I spent HOURS finding podcast and vodcasts that aligned with what every teacher was teaching that time of year in my school) 2. teachers would find their own podcast or vodcast online and integrate it into their class and 3. Teachers and students would create their own podcast or vodcast and integrate it into their own classes. Sad to report that the Principal stopped the course after level one because so many teachers had trouble enrolling in the Moodle course...let alone participating in it. I tried to help as many as I could but I started to realize that they did not want my help per se...they wanted me to do the work for them. I spent a lot of time reflecting on this project and I have analyzed the mistakes that might have caused its demise. After studying the ARCS, I have realized that there are some very simple steps that I could have taken to make this work.
In regards to teachers that have never had an online course before, I may not have had their attention. I am thinking that a blended course might have been more appropriate. Starting the course off in person and setting the staff up for the projects and expectation f2f might have yielded a better response. I think that I worked really hard to make sure that relevance was a part of this project. I think that I could have instilled more confidence in my teachers and help them build confidence in the feedback that I give...in retrospect I might set up more discussion boards were I can offer more guidance and reinforcement to help the teachers be more confident. If I were to incorporate all the steps above, I am sure that teachers and I would have felt the satisfaction of a job well done!
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
You are right on the mark in using a mixed course. I often get students in my class because they flunked the online version. Online seems to equate to easy to many people - but in reality it takes a self motivated person who already has a basic understanding of technology and who is able to take chances in navigating unfamiliar territory. Will your principle let you try again?
ReplyDeleteI am lucky that the hype of online classes have far exceeded my failure in delievering one. The school district has continued to develop them for professional development. I do find it interesting that teachers are just as bad as students...every teachers posts the last day and most in the last few hours that the assignment is due...deadlines have such an interesting effect on us.
ReplyDeleteHi Kat...
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I have experience similar types of responses to trying to implement online learning opportunities. Do not feel alone when it seems like you hit a wall with trying to bring something new or innovative to your school or staff.
I think that you mentioned some great strategies for making improvements to your first go with the online course. However, it is really important to have clientele that are willing to work with you. If the teachers are not willing to take a risk and try to learn about something new or to try a method of learning that is outside of their comfort zones, then no course (even if it is perfect) will go smoothly.
I also totally agree with Kim's comments about online courses. I think that (in most cases) online courses are much more challenging than traditional courses. Between the word load, the pressures of time management, and the effort needed to balance online learning into the other aspects of life, an online course is by no means a cakewalk. Personally, I have really valued the opportunities that I have had to experience online learning as both a student and a facilitator. It has really helped open my eyes to the possibilities in education.
To second Kim's question as well, are you going to try and do the online class again?
Mike :)
Isn't that the way PD has been offered for so long in our schools -> "we do the work for them". So why change the status quo? It is the way we have always done things.
ReplyDeleteSad commentary on our society and the age of entitlement.
Kat,
ReplyDeleteI know your frustration at putting so much in to it and being disappointed. I don't know if it's just that teachers are being asked to do so much more theses days or if they truly are apathetic.
I do believe that many of them are intimidated by technology, and because of the "teacher's always in control" persona, they are reluctant to ask for help, especially from a co-worker.
I think the ideas you have are good ones and I think that if you tried the strategies you mentioned you would have more success. Something that has worked well for me is to get the early adopters, the teachers who have embraced the technology, to help you spread the word at how great it is. There's nothing like word of mouth advertising to get something moving!