Having just returned from iNACOL’s Blended and Online Learning Symposium, I am confused by the term “Blended Learning.” Not confused in my understanding, but I am confused how to explain this concept to executive administrators and boards of education. The… Read More ›
transformation
Technology Integration: Stuck in an Infinite Loop
Recently, the advertisement above appeared in a national educational technology magazine. I sent out a tweet, asking “Why would I want do this in my classroom?” One response was, “You’re looking to create ICE in the classroom! Independence, Challenge, Engagement! Differentiated… Read More ›
Online Learning Reading List
Bush, J. & Wise, B. (2010). Digital learning now. Tallahassee, FL: Foundation for Excellence in Education. Cavanaugh, C. (2009). Getting students more learning time online: Distance education in support of expanded learning time in K-12 schools. Washington, DC: Center for… Read More ›
Tech Forum Note — 05/03/13
At last Friday’s Techforum Chicago, I listed intently during presentations about innovations in schools. One of the themes of the conversations was about creating content. Without exception many presenters and participants talked about creating digital content. In some cases it… Read More ›
A Different View of Digital Citizenship
Image Credit Many digital citizenship programs focus on digital citizenship with students with a list of “don’ts.” The ideas below look at positive and proactive steps to consider citizenship issues with students. In recent years, many blue ribbon committees have… Read More ›
Virtual School’s Symposium 2012 Summary
The student panel at the Virtual Schools Symposium 2012 Over 2,000 conferees assembled in New Orleans, Louisiana for iNACOL’s edition of its Virtual Schools Symposium held October 21-24, 2012. Across the program, presentations looked at research in the field, instructional models, administrative… Read More ›
Successful Online Courses
Image Credit The SLATE Conference is October 11-12, 2012 at the Northern Illinois University campus in Naperville, Illinois. The conference brings together conferees who are interested in non-traditional forms of learning, especially in electronically supplementing traditional courses or implementing online… Read More ›
Starting an Online Program: To Blend or Not to Blend
Image Credit Blended Learning: First, in all of the blended programs, the students learn in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home at least some of the time. Second, the students’ experience online delivery with some control over the time,… Read More ›
Innovation and Democracy
Image Credit Is innovation a democratic process? Innovate: to introduce something new; make changes in anything established. (reference) In Disrupting Class, author Clayton Christen informs school boards that introducing digital learning into schools may be hampered by purposeful democratic processes that are part of schools’ cultures. Cooperative… Read More ›
Student-Teacher Interaction Essential in Online Courses
(Click the image to see it larger.) Student-teacher interaction is essential in online courses. Online courses require rich content that includes many modalities for students to choose their learning path, including text, audio, video, kinesthetic and other modes. This is… Read More ›