Barbour, M. K., & Unger, K. (2009, March). Challenging teachers’ preconceptions, misconceptions, and concerns of virtual schooling. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Charleston, SC.
This study examined the perceptions of graduate students in an instructional technology course related to K-12 online learning based upon their completion of the Teacher Education Goes into Virtual Schooling (TEGIVS) curriculum. The TEGIVS program was created through a grant funded initiative at Iowa State University. Nine graduate students at a large, state-funded, mid-Western university completed this curriculum as a part of their Internet in the Classroom course. Based upon our initial analysis, the TEGIVS curriculum was effective for providing these graduate students with some experience with how K-12 online learning opportunities are delivered, along with some of the possibilities and challenges associated with these opportunities. The analysis of this data is continuing, and there are plans to continue this line of inquiry with additional students in future offerings of this course.
2. Increasing US To date there has been
enrollment little in the way of
teacher education on
Michigan, New Mexico, virtual school or online
Alabama requiring teaching and learning
online experience pedagogy (Smith, Clark
& Blomeyer, 2005)
Florida districts must
provide students online
learning opportunities
3. Limited Existing Resources through various
universities
Iowa State University
1. Good Practice to Inform Iowa Online Learning
2. Teacher Education Goes Into Virtual Schools
http://ctlt.iastate.edu/~tegivs/TEGIVS/homepage.html
4. Fall 2008 – Wayne State University - Internet in the
Classroom.
Final 5 – 6 Weeks of Course
Materials:
5 TEGIVS Scenarios
K-12 Online Learning Readings
Reflective Blogging Discussions
9 Volunteer Graduate Students
5. 1. Affects on K-12 Teachers
2. Affects on K-12 Students
3. Why VS are unsuccessful at the K-12 level
4. Making VS successful at the K-12 level
6. Benefits
“online courses would serve as a way of freedom for
teachers…it gives teachers the ability to design and
deliver a course that will fit the students' learning
patterns and interests”
Drawbacks
“Training burnt out teachers”
“there would be a lot more work because of the setup
and keeping track of students,”
7. Populations
HS and MS
Dropouts
Alternative Education
Benefits
Various Entry Points
More Alternatives
Drawback
Interaction
8. “I never ever hear anything at school about virtual
schooling. It is not mentioned in workshops or at
meetings. I doubt very many teachers are even aware
of its possibilities. Or its existence”
9. “without well-trained, qualified teachers to facilitate
online instruction, virtual schooling will be ineffective
as an educational model”
Educate Stakeholders
Access to Proper Technology
Train Students
On-site Coach
10. Research Application
Lack of Knowledge Refinement of Current
Materials
Teachers Perceive Benefit
for Students
Creation and Evaluation
Eager for More of MI Based Materials
First initial effort to address the gap by Iowa State UniversityOther schools: University of Florida, Boise State, and Plymouth, Queens University, University of Central Florida, Jacksonville StateRationale for online environmentDescription of CourseDiscussion of ToolsSyllabi; Materials; Activities; Assessment Examples
Introduction to Web 2.0 toolsTEGIVS Scenarios Included:Technology, Pedagogy, Assessment, and ManagementDemonstrate Various Approaches to Online LearningShowcased Online ToolsExamples of Assessment in Online LearningManagement IssuesConstant Comparative Coding of their blogs postings and comments
BenefitsCustomized InstructionEasily Adapt to Curriculum ChangesFlexibilityConsistent with the demands placed on teacher’s timeDrawbacksIncreased TrainingMore ResponsibilityPrep Time
primarily due to the perceived ability of online learning to increase learning and engagementViewed VS in Positive manner for students
Lack of information to stakeholdersLack of Administrative Support
Stakeholders not equipped with the knowledge to supportWhen provided materialsMore skills to begin utilizing