EDTC601 5.2 Online learning Proposal

1. EDTC 601: 5.2 Online Learning Proposal
Betty Hustead
April 19, 2011
thereallacanada.com

2. Our mission is to provide a
quality education that
prepares all children for a
successful future.
(Jeffco Schools 2011)

3. A 

Mission
Best practices for education
 Educational options for students
G 

Which option fits which student?
Pros/Cons of online learning
E 

Best practices for teaching K-12 online
Educational methods

N 
Jeffco district online classes
Jeffco classes and training
 Recommendations to improve online learning
D  Future recommendations for further
improvements
 Bibliography
A

4. Best Practices for Education
Traditional Education Online Education
 Accredited  Accredited
 Ease of credit transfer  Policy for transfer of credits
 Licensed teachers  Licensed (credential) teachers
 Graduation rate  Student/Teacher ratio
 Counseling support  Graduation rate
 Variety of courses (AP, Honors)  Designed support system
 Run by district  Program is backed by reputable source
 Program has positive track record (University based High School programs
 Receive support from businesses
are usually high quality)
 Variety of courses
 Free to attend (hidden costs?)
 Price of program (no hidden costs?)
 Sports/Activities/Clubs Prevalent
 Run by school or a business?
 Program has positive track record

5. Education Options for Students
“We know that educational success means different
things to different people; that’s why our online
classes are designed to meet a wide variety of needs.
Study full time and receive a Jeffco high school
diploma, go part time while attending classes at
another Jeffco school, or take credit recovery classes
to catch up on credits.”
(Jeffco Schools 2011)

6. Which option is
best for the Online Student Self Evaluation
student?
Online Student Best Practices for
Traditional Student Success
Best Practices for Students need:
success  to set goals
Students need:  a distraction free study area
 proper supplies (pens,  to ask questions
paper, computer access)  time manage (be proactive, responsible)
 know learning style
 study time
 to communicate well
 communication skills
 to understand how to use technology
 responsible
 to be willing to manage
 know learning style emails, chats, phones, discussions
 attend classes  reward accomplishments

7. Pros for Student Online Learning Cons for Student Online Learning
•Students will be familiar and comfortable with •Parent involvement is much higher for k-8 online
advanced technology systems than traditional school
•Students will have an advantage when pursuing •Some students will miss the interaction with other
future career or college students
•Families are actively involved in all aspects of •Students with IEPs and other special learning
their child’s education plans may have trouble with online
•Students are more engaged with the learning •Student may have trouble motivating self to do the
process than in a traditional school setting work
•Parent/teacher communication is significantly •Issues with internet access
closer than in traditional school settings
•Teachers know students more intimately than in •Digital Divide for student and teacher with the
traditional school classrooms – smaller number of parent may interfere with learning and
students communication
•Individual learning plans are used per student
•Teachers can suggest specific courses per child’s (Online Schools 2011)
interests
•students may participate in extra-curricular events
•Students have 24/7 access, own pace, own time
•Gifted AND at risk students flourish

8. Best Practices for
Teaching K12 Online Learning
 Consistent assignment deadlines
 Time for evaluation (no time for procrastination)
 Assess on quality not quantity
 Interactive activities keep interest and engage students
(chats, blogs, conferencing, revisions, comments, presenta
tions, and more)
 Timely feedback to assure students the support is there
 Excellent communication skills
 Willing and able to get to know students and parents
National Standards for Online Teachers (Inacol 2010)

9. Educational Methods
Jefferson County online classes follow the Colorado State
Standards, 21st Century Skills, the ISTE National Educational
Technology Standards, CAP documents and use the Universal
Design for Learning strategies.
Teachers use Marzano’s strategies to engage students and help
them become life-time learners. Technique examples include
cooperative learning projects, discussions/Q&A, research and
graphic analysis.
Bloom’s hierarchy of digital learning is also used to achieve the
higher learning everyone desires and deserves by making the
students think outside the box to find answers.

10. Jeffco District Online Classes
Include: Watch Student Video
 Virtual learning
 Certified teachers
 H. S. diploma Our Mission:
 CDE credit/NCAA credit To provide a quality
 Student/parent access to grades education that prepares all
 Free to Colorado students (small fee students for a successful
for out of state)
 Meet Colorado standards
future through a rigorous
 Full-time/Part-time/Recovery curriculum, strong
options connections, and a vibrant
 Personalized attention learning community
 24/7 access to class and teachers

11. Jeffco Classes Offered Online
 English: Lang. Arts 1 - 4,  World Language: Spanish 1-
Boys’ 9th Eng 2, Native learner, Chinese 1-
 Math: Pre-Alg, Alg 1-2, 2, Russian 1-2
Geometry, Pre-Calc/Trig,  Visual Arts: Digital Photo
Honors Trig  Music: Music History,
 Science: Earth, Biology, Songwriting
Physics, Chemistry  Electives: Anthropology,
 Social Studies: World Career Exploration,
Geography, World History, Forensics, Health Fitness,
US History, US Gov’t, Journalism, Marine Biology,
Economics Psychology, Study Skills

12. Jeffco Teacher Training
Licensed Teacher
Teach licensed content
Complete online training
Jeffco offers online
training
Jeffco pays for training
or subs

13. Recommendations
to improve online learning in our district
1. Blended classes are the ideal method for learning.
a. Students attend school 1 time per week in class
b. Complete assignments on line
c. Use virtual lectures, chats, and cooperative learning
d. Field trips for relevance and deeper understanding
e. Cost to create this style of learning is none to very small
2. The Virtual Academy program needs updated to match the
Jeffco expectations in network application ability.
a. Better communication with online help situations both
at district and host sites – research and take bids for host

14. Future Recommendations
to improve online learning in our district
1. Add class choices at the High School level to reach the
students at high risk – help graduation rate and drop out rate
2. Advertise throughout the state, not just within schools – more
enrollment
3. Add adult blended classes at night or on weekend – support
community and charge for classes
4. Add class choices for 1st grade – 8th grade – homebound and
home school students stay with Jeffco

15. References
Jeffco’s 21st Century Virtual Academy. (n.d.). Retrieved April, 2011, from Jefferson County Public
Schools website: http://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/online/
Nastu, J. (2011). eSN special report: Blended learning on the rise. eSchool news: Technology
News for Today’s K-20 Educator. Retrieved from http://www.eschoolnews.com
National standards for quality online teaching. (2010). Retrieved April, 2011, from International
Association for K-12 On-line Learning website:
http://www.inacol.org/research/nationalstandards/NACOL%20Standards%20Quality%20Onlin
e%20Teaching.pdf
New report highlights barriers to online learning. (2011). eSchool News: Technology News for
Today’s K-20 Educator. Retrieved from http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/11/11/new-report-
highlights-barriers-to-online-learning/print/
On-line schooling K-12. (2011). Retrieved April, 2011, from http://www.onlineschools.org/
Technology Solutions for Teaching and Research: Maximize your effectiveness through the use of
technology. (2008, August 4). Retrieved April, 2011, from University of
Wisconsin, Madison, Division of Information Technology, Academic Technology website:
https://academictech.doit.wisc.edu/ORFI/otr/communication/communicate_content.html
Umpstead, B., & Grigg, K. (2011). Michigan uses online learning to reach at-risk students.
eSchool News:Technology News for Today’s K-20 Educator. Retrieved from
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/06/02/michigan-uses-online-learning-to-reach-at-risk-
students/print/