Skip to main content

Home/ 6329 brain-based learning/ Group items tagged learners

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
rtrevin5

How to Create Interactive E-Learning - The Rapid eLearning Blog - 2 views

www.articulate.com/...-create-interactive-e-learning

shared by rtrevin5 on 16 Jun 14 - No Cached
    • rtrevin5
      rtrevin5 on 16 Jun 14
       
      How many times have we attended this kind of training? I am hearing a lot about PD, but in reality, this applies to all facets of training. We find disengaged learners, and more importantly, we ourselves are disengaged from the process. As the author stated, we then throw more and more tricks at them. Click this, see that, play this...and the real training and learning that needs to take place does not happen. How many of you have experienced this in training sessions?
  • While relevance doesn’t equate to interactivity, it does equate to an engaged learner. And an engaged learner is more apt to learn and not be dependent on interactive gimmicks (which is what we usually start with when we try to make the course interactive).
    • rtrevin5
      rtrevin5 on 16 Jun 14
       
      Story of my life. My job includes very linear information that most students have already been doing for years. We generally do updates to existing content because we need to comply with some regulatory requirement. It can be frustrating and difficult. So, when you are faced with this element, as a designer, what do you do? How do you turn the experience into something more positive and beneficial to those around you?
  • ...3 more annotations...
    • rtrevin5
      rtrevin5 on 16 Jun 14
       
      How does the use of click and explore functionality strike you as an instructional designer and developer? Is this a viable tool? Does your content lend itself to this type of thing? I do tend to agree that pull information is sometimes more effective than pushing it out. In general, we push out information in all of our courses, but when I design, I find that I like to engage the learner and make him or her wonder what is around the next button click. This just seems to work for me. 
  • Unfortunately most of the elearning courses I see are linear and not very interactive. Linear isn’t bad on its own. Sometimes it’s preferable to get the information in a simple linear process. But what tends to make the linear course unbearable is when the course navigation is locked. And we tend to lock it because we’re worried that the “learner will not get all of the information.”
  • Relevant content is good and mixing it with screens that allows people to click and explore helps. But probably the single biggest thing you can do to transition from non-interactive to interactive elearning is craft an environment where the learner has to pull information in rather than us push information out.
  • rtrevin5 on 16 Jun 14
     
    This is one of the most useful sites on the internet. Articulate is a rapid authoring software suite, but it also has one of the most engaged communities doing amazing things with e-learning. I highly recommend their site and the content within.
  • jennalsmith on 30 Jun 14
     
    What a great resource this is for instructors who are newbies at instructional design! I am excited to share this resource with my team of instructors. I think that it will be a good starting point for many of the instructors who I work with who have expressed interest in creating instructional design but who are very inexperienced in their instructional design creation. I appreciate the tips mentioned as well as the demos.
Jackie Byford

Technology adds to students' math comprehension | eSchool News | eSchool News - 7 views

www.eschoolnews.com/...to-students-math-comprehension

technology math comprehension

shared by Jackie Byford on 29 Sep 13 - No Cached
  • The animations are so powerful; bisecting an angle becomes a really visual experience,” Bates said.
  • The report found that students often referred to the roles of visual imagery, animations, and videos in helping them understand key concepts.
  • Moving imagery was clearly a key means for [students] to ‘see what is meant,’ rather than their trying to ‘imagine what is meant’ when it is just described by teachers,” the report found
  • ...1 more annotation...
  • the [MathsAlive] resources enabled a more collaborative environment to emerge, where they were working with students to construct problems and devise methods to solve them,” the study found.
    • Jackie Byford
      Jackie Byford on 29 Sep 13
       
      This article discusses using technology in the Mathematics classroom with findings that suggest that the experiences by students with the animations and visual imagery help them "see" the mathematical concepts verses having to visualize how math works. For many of us this is the case. We learn better when we see or have hands-on experiences with the concepts we are learning. There is a deeper understanding because it takes more for the brain to encode the information into memory when a true experience with critical thinking comes together simultaneously, (Medina, 2008). Schools spend millions of dollars on textbook adoptions every year, needless to say it is a booming business. If research shows that hands-on visual learning will improve not only the learning of the material, but improve critical thinking to empower and build the next generation of problem solvers, why do many educators still stand at the front of the room and lecture from a textbook or tell their students to read this chapter and fill out this worksheet? Compare the experiences you had as a child in school with the experiences today's children have with technology, not only at school, but at home with electronic devices such as ipads. Do you think the next generation that started with an ipad or computer in their hands by age 5 will be more experienced learners because of the visuals and hands-on thinking that is needed to work these devise? Has the induction of these devices helped you become a more in depth better learner? Medina, J. (2008). Brain Rules. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
  • Maria Austin on 30 Sep 13
     
    Very interesting! Your comments made me wonder if teachers, more often than not, stand in the way of learning more than trying to act as mediators. It is sad to see that young children start their lives at school eager to learn and being active participants of that amazing process of discovery that is the acquisition of knowledge and then see them 3 years down the road, so discouraged and demotivated! What happened? Somehow that is regarded as a normal process, part of their growing and maturing. I have to say that I disagree. Answering your questions...I belong to the generation of the Commodore, Basics and Texas Instruments. I remember spending hours programming my computer. It did make me more curious about technology and I found fascinating that just a few symbols could create so much magic. Children nowadays do not have that much of a connection with the process of creation but they do develop a lot more hands on skills that are essentially the ones they will need in the future. These skills are key but they still require the development of critical thinking in order for them to acquire a more in depth knowledge of any topic. It is at this juncture that teachers are invaluable partners in the educational process. In my opinion, this should be the center of every planning and strategic use of educational methodologies.
  • ...10 more comments...
  • Martha Rodriguez on 30 Sep 13
     
    Jackie, I do think the next generation will have more experienced learners. There has never been a more important time to apply principles of development and learning when considering the use of cutting-edge technologies and new media. When the integration of technology and interactive media in early childhood programs is built upon solid developmental foundations, and early childhood professionals are aware of both the challenges and the opportunities, educators are positioned to improve program quality by intentionally leveraging the potential of technology and media for the benefit of every child.
  • Adam Hovde on 30 Sep 13
     
    I really liked the piece you picked for the discussion group. In my school district we are implementing a 1:x initiative that all students will have Ipads and use them in the classroom. I think this is great on some instances and bad on others. Like the discussion says kids learn more when a video or some other form of multimedea follows with instruction. I get that and I am trying to use this in my classroom. The hard part about this philosophy right now is most of the students that we have, have grown up with the Ipad as a toy not an educational device and having the students think about the Ipad as an educational device is harder said than done it seems. My son is in the 4th grade and was given an Ipad 2 weeks ago. He has been able to some great things with it as a learning tool BUT he still sees the Ipad as something he gets to play Mine Craft on and not a learning tool. My high school students are having a harder time using the Ipad for educational use. I did not mean to derail this thread with this topic but my experience is telling me that we are at a cross roads right now. We have students that started with pen and paper and slowly have moved to a more technology based education are struggling using the technology because they have only used the technology as a toy up until now. The students coming up have had the technology earlier in life and are able to use it in class but they are still having a hard time associating the technology with learning. I guess what I am saying is that I know that the use of the technology will help the students learn but the students are having a hard time realizing that the technology is an educational tool as well as a game. What can we do to help the students realize the powerful tools they have at their disposal these days that we did not growing up?
  • Jackie Byford on 30 Sep 13
     
    Maria, I have to admit that I am guilty of standing in the way of technology. It is hard to incorporate the technology in a way that is resourceful and useful. I think Adam hit the nail on the head when he talks about the fact that today's student thinks of the technology as a toy not an educational tool, even if they played educational games. Martha has the key that the integration of technologies needs to be built on a strong foundation so that the new generation can see the ipad as a tool instead of a toy.
  • Maria Austin on 02 Oct 13
     
    Jackie, You bring up very interesting points as do Adam and Martha. I would reflect on the different issues tackled maybe separating them into their different components. One element is the learning process: as Martha says, applying proper methodologies and evidence-based research in the classroom is essential. My question would be: as teachers, we have all been taught and trained in developmental theories and educational methodologies, however, very little of that seems to trickle into our practice, I wonder why. Another point would be the use of technology as such and the definition of a learning process: if the learning process is restricted to the acquisition of data, technology can do very little for us, since internet, ipads, etc. are, for the most part, meant to facilitate the spread of information. Maybe the emphasis should be on the development of skills that would allow students to process and discriminate sources and facts, and be able to apply them to a variety of real life situations. The acquisition of data should be dependent upon the development of higher order thinking skills. In this sense, the line separating the use of technology as a toy and the use of technology to facilitates the access to data is not very easy to draw. It has been argued that the development of problem solving skills and creativity is at the core of many games. Should the educational process be limited to games? Most certainly not, but, I think that technology is forcing us to redefine the way we see learning.
  • Jennifer Henson on 02 Oct 13
     
    Interesting dialogue! Maria, I completely agree that the emphasis should be on the development of higher order skills. I know, too, that technology can rapidly turn off students if it is slow or boring or whatever they are doing with it doesn't interest them. I think real learning is always going to come back to meeting students where they are and getting them to think in new ways about topics they care about--whether they are using technology or not. So technology may be forcing us to redefine the way we teach, but I don't think it's redefining the key elements of effective teaching.
  • Jeff Blackman on 04 Oct 13
     
    I'm amazed we know as much as we do given the way we were taught and how it is so "wrong" compared to the way our brains actually work. I think that says something for human resilience and adaptation. In spite of the classrooms we endured and seemingly endless lectures, a lot of us have still been able to come out ok and be pretty darned effective in our lives and jobs. Do I think the next generation will be more experienced learners because of the hands on nature of various devices they've been exposed to? Not necessarily. It still depends on how it is used. If all my 5 year old does is play some game on my iPhone, I don't know if that is making her a more experienced learner. Just like anything else, it takes the parent or educator to be involved and help the child use the device in the most effective way.
  • Jackie Byford on 06 Oct 13
     
    Maria you are absolutely correct! As educators we know what we should do, but it is not the easy road so we fall short sometimes in using proper methodologies. I believe there are many reasons "excuses" such as: classes are large with too many learning styles, paperwork gets in the way of planning, not enough time in class to apply methodologies. Let's face it when it comes down to the wire the use of methodologies are just good teaching skills, which should include the use of current technologies in the right context and for the right reason. I think too many times educational games just become "play" time and a break for the teacher to get other work done. They are called educational, but many times the kids just see the game not the educational aspect. Jennifer and Jeff, I don't think I could have said it any better. In order to be an effective teacher, one must incorporate the available tools in a way that meets the needs of the students. It all breaks down to how we use technology. Thinking about how "we" learned referring to those of us over 30 who did not have all this technology in school, we did turn out okay. If I talk to my colleagues who have taught more than 15 years they would say that the technology has taught our current students to be less effective at critical thinking when it comes to academics, yet they can learn, maneuver, and use problem solving skills to navigate the newest video games. Have any of you tried to play "Call of Duty" or "World of Warcraft?" They are not easy! It takes time, repetition, and good problem solving skills to get through each level. Maybe we as educators need to be more versed in the problem solving skills in popular games and be able to show our students the connection between the skills they use in the classroom and the skills they use in those games. It would give them the answer to that age old question, "Why am I learning this_____________?"
  • Maria Austin on 06 Oct 13
     
    Totally in accord, Jackie! Technology should be only one more tool and, consequently, it should be used only under certain criteria.
  • Juan Saldana on 07 Oct 13
     
    Teacher do become an obstacle in the classroom, but not of their own accord. They get their hands tied by state testing the ruins education and district politics that can end their careers. It is really sad to see what education has become, if you as a few generations before us, it was a privilege to go to school and today students seem to have to go kicking and screaming. The misconception I have gotten from several teachers that I know is that they have this odd belief that the technology is there to replace them or simply teach the class for them. Technology is a tool that is meant to be wielded by someone who understands it. I think in the next few years we are going to see an exodus of pre-technology teachers and and influx of Generation iPad teachers who are tech savvy and have grown up with the technology. I think that will be a game changer for education and good serving of job security for students in our field.
  • Katy Lu on 07 Oct 13
     
    I normally will skip articles which mention arithmetic. My eyes are easily caught by a visually appealing graphic, a photograph or a poem. But I absolutely agree that "animations and visual images help students see the mathematical concepts and to visualize how math works." Particularly when integrated learning with games, it will make learning more effective and proficient. I believe next generation children will definitely acquire a different learning style with technology, and is much unlike ours.
  • Jaime Villanueva on 14 Oct 13
     
    Jackie, i found a great article on why some children are bad in math! I do not believe that some kids lack the aptitude for math ! http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/03/27/why-is-math-so-hard-for-so-many/
  • shaila a on 07 Dec 13
     
    It is certainly lovely to see children learning in different ways that make sense to the particular individual. I wish I had the chance to learn new concepts with the aid of visualization. The question is: how many teachers are truly using the resources that are available to them?
Lauren Simpson

The Simple Things I Do To Promote Brain-Based Learning In My Classroom - 8 views

www.teachthought.com/...based-learning-in-my-classroom

shared by Lauren Simpson on 19 Nov 13 - No Cached
  • The Simple Things I Do To Promote Brain-Based Learning In My Classroom
    • Lauren Simpson
      Lauren Simpson on 17 Jun 14
       
      It's important for teachers to help students understand how their brains work and give them strategies to be successful in the classroom. Our job as educators is not only to teach them the subject matter, but to prepare them for life. If they have these strategies I think we are giving students a leg up in being successful no matter what they face.
    • Pedro Rodriguez
      Pedro Rodriguez on 23 Jun 14
       
      I like that she takes initiative to promote brain based learning. Teaching and preparing students for life is very important, because the world is quickly changing in terms of technological advances. Students can easily learn the content using such principles. More teachers need to incorporates these rules in their instruction.
  • Explaining how the brain works is especially important for students who believe that they are “not smart” and that nothing they do can change that. Many children, and even some parents and teachers, think that intelligence is determined at birth and that even intense effort will not budge their academic abilities. The realization that they can literally change their brains by improving how they approach learning and how they study is liberating.
    • Lauren Simpson
      Lauren Simpson on 17 Jun 14
       
      This is so true. I often tell my students who say they are not smart, I correct them and say "yet..you are not smart yet" I am one of those teachers that truly feel every students is smart and a budding genius.
  • Students know that the more they practice a basketball shot or rehearse a ballet performance, the more their skills improve. In my class, they learn that brains respond the same way. When a learner goes over multiplication facts or rereads confusing parts of a book, the brain gets better at processing this information because, with such repetition, more neurons grow and connect to other neurons, and neurons get more efficient at sending one another signals.
    • Lauren Simpson
      Lauren Simpson on 17 Jun 14
       
      Being able to relate practicing what is learned in school with something a student already likes is vital. It provides a clear picture of what you are trying to teach them about repetition and how your brain needs it to be successful.
  • Katy Lu on 19 Nov 13
  • asuarez1 on 21 Jun 14
     
    One of the things I love about Brain-Based Learning is that it creates a paradigm shift about learners and learning. I suppose that my background in Special Education makes me appreciate it even more. All students CAN learn. The trick is to find out how they learn best. Techniques are explored and used to maximize learning. "The realization that they can literally change their brains by improving how they approach learning and how they study is liberating." This has been the focus of most of my training as a teacher and Brain-Based Learning shows you how. I appreciate that one of the things that this article stipulates is that the learner should be aware of how the brain works. It empowers a student to take charge of their own learning at the core of process.
  • jennalsmith on 30 Jun 14
     
    As I read this article, I couldn't help but think of my adult basic education students. I think the explanation of how the brain works to students who believe they are "not smart" is key for my students. These particular adult learners are participating in a GED/Adult High School program. The majority of the students were kicked out of school or dropped out of school. They understand that they in a foundational skills program and must develop their basic educational skills to advance in other areas of life. Unfortunately, I think that many of them have the mindset that they believe that are "not book smart." I think it is wonderful that this teacher/neurologist found that her students became more engaged and confident and they also began to change their student practices. This is my goal/hope as I work on a Problem Based Learning Module which applies the Brain Rules to an everyday mathematical scenario. I plan on presenting this PBL Module to a few adult basic math classes as a pilot to see how the adult basic education students respond to the lesson(s) and Brain Rules compared to their traditional classroom lectures and instruction.
normairisrodz

"Engage Me or Enrage Me": What Today's Learners Demand (EDUCAUSE Review) | EDUCAUSE.edu - 2 views

www.educause.edu/...oday%E2%80%99s-learners-demand

technology engagement prensky 6329 teaching 21stcenturylearning learners

shared by normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13 - No Cached
  • the kids back then didn’t expect to be engaged by everything they did. There were no video games, no CDs, no MP3s—none of today’s special effects. Those kids’ lives were a lot less rich—and not just in money: less rich in media, less rich in communication, much less rich in creative opportunities for students outside of school. Many if not most of them never even knew what real engagement feels like.
  • All the students we teach have something in their lives that’s really engaging
    • normairisrodz
      normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
       
      If teachers could tap into what engages their students, they can also tap into their motivation to learn and be active participants in the learning process.
  • Rather than being empowered to choose what they want
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • in school, they must eat what they are served
  • In my view, it’s not “relevance” that’s lacking for this generation, it’s engagement.
  • So we have to find how to present our curricula in ways that engage our students—not just to create new “lesson plans,” not even just to put the curriculum online
    • normairisrodz
      normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
       
      How do you engage your students in innovative ways in your classroom? With such emphasis placed on standardized test preparation, are you allowed academic freedom to engage your students with alternative teaching practices?
  • kids’ long-term engagement in a game depends much less on what they see than on what they do and learn.
  • And if we educators don’t start coming up with some damned good curricular gameplay for our students—and soon—they’ll all come to school wearing (at least virtually in their minds) the T-shirt I recently saw a kid wearing in New York City: “It’s Not ADD—I’m Just Not Listening!”
    • normairisrodz
      normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
       
      It's not just about graphics and special effects, it's about substance. Do students learn and are they challenged?
  • That’s one more reason the kids are so enraged—they know their stuff is missing!
  • normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
     
    Engaging students who "tune us out". This article reinforces Brain Rule 4: Attention, "we don't pay attention to boring things." Educators must seek ways of engaging students... solution - game-based learning.
Katy Lu

What Is Your Learning Style? | Edutopia - 4 views

www.edutopia.org/lligences-learning-styles-quiz

brain rules learning styles

shared by Katy Lu on 08 Sep 13 - Cached
    • Katy Lu
      Katy Lu on 08 Sep 13
       
      While taking this quiz make sure that you are go with your first thought and not to "think" too hard.  Want to know what is your learning style?
    • Maria Austin
      Maria Austin on 09 Sep 13
       
      Thank you for sharing this test! I did it and I can say it is fairly accurate.
  • Try not to think too hard
  • multiple ways
  • ...1 more annotation...
    • Katy Lu
      Katy Lu on 08 Sep 13
       
      Medina's  Rule #4: We don't pay attention to boring things.
  • ernieperez519 on 11 Nov 13
     
    I just took the test and it is accurate and I know the learner qualities that I have.
normairisrodz

5 Ways Technology Will Impact Higher Ed in 2013 - Forbes - 5 views

www.forbes.com/...-will-impact-higher-ed-in-2013

technology HigherEd higher ed education MOOC learning 6329 21stcenturylearning teaching learners

shared by normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13 - No Cached
  • In fact, over the last two years, enrollment in the for-profit education sector was down and industry giants such as the University of Phoenix announced the closure of some of its facilities. 
    • normairisrodz
      normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
       
      This was surprising to me. With the abundance of advertising for such for-profit companies, I thought they would be growing. It would seem that even though students demand online education to meet their busy lifestyles, they still demand quality (as shown in the annotation below).
  • Over the last two years, the number of top-tier Universities with at least some online activity has more than doubled, in large part due to MOOCs. 
  • By leveraging online platforms, lectures can now be pre-recorded and core content accessed by students any time, anywhere, and as many times as they need.  This means that classroom time can instead be used to augment the lecture content, whether through discussion, group exercises or quizzes. 
    • normairisrodz
      normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
       
      Educators can spend more time applying the knowledge and concepts introduced by engaging students in activities during class time instead of focusing on teaching content alone.
    • Martha Rodriguez
      Martha Rodriguez on 07 Oct 13
       
      Norma, our institution is currently using Echo 360 Lecture Capture. Echo360 makes it easy to transform existing courses into distance education classes. Its blended learning technology enables teachers to provide students who can't attend classes in person with fundamentally the same dynamic experience and interactivity that teachers provide their on-campus students. Plus, moving courses online allows teachers to time shift their courses to meet the scheduling needs of students. We have had positive feedback from teachers using Echo360.
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • what will be the cost to sustain MOOCs over time, will these courses count for credit and if and how will they be packaged together into a certificate or degree program? That said,the hybrid model (where part of a program is taught online and part is taught in person) is one that we can expect to see more fully embraced in this coming year. 
    • normairisrodz
      normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
       
      This article posed some very common questions regarding MOOC's? What is your opinion of the questions posed in this section?
  • There is a huge opportunity for instructors to create a more in-depth learning experience
  • The notion that faculty can increasingly reach a greater of number of students in their ‘classrooms’ means the per unit cost of teaching a student could start to decrease, but only if you can achieve similar or better learning outcomes, and simply moving lecture content online will not solve the cost problem. 
    • normairisrodz
      normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
       
      I had not thought about lowering the cost of education as a result of moving curriculum into an online platform. This section was quite interesting to me as I had never quite thought about this particular aspect of online education.
  • normairisrodz on 06 Oct 13
     
    This article focuses on how institutions of higher education are adapting to emerging technologies to meet the needs of their students.
  • ...5 more comments...
  • Juan Saldana on 07 Oct 13
     
    You are correct in that higher education is having to adapt to more technologically experienced students. It is really difficult for a student of that caliber to go into a classroom that is taught with a blackboard and chalk. You have hit it on the nail with Rule #4 about boring things, teachers and instructors do need to "step it up" in order to keep these new students engaged.
  • Martha Rodriguez on 07 Oct 13
     
    Juan, you are correct. Instructors need to step it up and use more of technology to engage students. The problem with this that many instructors are not tech savvy and want to continue using the old teaching strategies. Some of this faculty are intemediated to use a computer; using other devices would drive them insane.
  • Adam Hovde on 07 Oct 13
     
    I agree Juan. Many of my students are coming back to tell me that their college classes are basically the same as when we went to college. All lecture based and you never really get to know your professor. In some inservice we had I saw some youtube videos about students that are leaving college because they re not learning anything new in the classes. They could learn everything online if they wanted too. Colleges might have to make some changes if these MOOC or other online classes dip into their attendance base.
  • Jennifer Henson on 08 Oct 13
     
    My apologies for starting a new topic and THEN reading this one. The overlap is great! I am glad, though, to have the Forbes article to reference in addition to the one I supplied from the NYT. This sentence from the article caught my attention in particular, "The beauty of teaching analytics is that teachers will have real time information on how students learn and can augment future plans accordingly." For my research project I've been interviewing administrators from online high schools. A couple of them have mentioned how incredibly valuable it is to have analytical data, such as the amount of time a student spends on a page, site, assignment, or test as well as all the concrete test and assignment data to identify where they struggle. One principal told me that when she surveyed her teachers last year, she heard two things again and again, "You'll have to pry the computer out of my cold, dead hands before I go back to in-class instruction," and "You have broken me and I won't be able to return to a brick-and-mortar setting where I don't have the ability to gather data like I do in an online setting" This particular school (Mountain Heights Academy) has a focus that is heavily data driven and student-centered. She told me, "Teachers are skeptical at first, but have really come to see how much looking at the data allows them to create personalized instruction that can make all the difference in learning for the kids."
  • Maria Austin on 08 Oct 13
     
    This is a very interesting article and quite thought provoking. I should start by saying that I love MOOCs. I have taken a dozen classes at different MOOCs and most of them have been very high quality. Teachers are passionate about the topic they are teaching because they are normally topics they don't get to offer at their universities for a number of reasons. Some of the courses even offer undergraduate credit hours. I don't think they represent any threat to the standard university program and, for the most part, my impression is that students who take these courses do it for the sake of learning.
  • shaila a on 08 Oct 13
     
    It's a fascinating article. Sounds like all of us enrolled in this program/ certificate are in the right place at the right time! MOOCs have worked for my first year teacher cousin. She is a teacher aide in the NYC public school and needed her +15 credits to get the raise that she wanted. MOOCs has made it possible for her. It would surely open up many opportunities for young, struggling professionals (and others) who would like to take classes at their own pace should MOOCs offer online degrees.
  • Jackie Byford on 13 Oct 13
     
    I know this article focused on higher education, but the same things are happening in public k-12 with the option of online schooling. It is a platform for kids who do not necessarily "fit" into the public education mold and many students are graduating and heading on to college from such program as K12 here in Texas. Just as certain technologies were integrated over the last decade such as televisions and tape recorders, those of us who are educators need to move with the times. The fact that higher education is offering such classes as MOOCs and online classes, it gives adults like me the opportunity to continue my education at a cheaper cost and without losing as much time with my family. I do feel that as we move through the 21st century online education will become a norm... and it offers opportunity and a way to reach the needs of all students.
Juan Saldana

- The Virtual High School now offering full-time online program - 10 views

www.techlearning.com/default.aspx

high school online learning classroom

shared by Juan Saldana on 14 Oct 13 - No Cached
  • Juan Saldana on 14 Oct 13
     
    Warming up my skills to do my Diigo hosting in a few weeks. I believe we have one resident expert on Online High Schools.
  • ...14 more comments...
  • Juan Saldana on 14 Oct 13
     
    This is a quick article on the new program developed by the VHS program
  • Jennifer Henson on 16 Oct 13
     
    Hi Juan, Not sure I qualify as an expert, but I am researching online high schools for this class and I work for an online high school, so I'll jump in. I had not heard of VHS, but the article says they are a nonprofit arm of K12, inc, which has received a LOT of press--most of it bad. It seems that some schools that are using K12 product are better run than others. The wikipedia article on K12 is interesting, and references a lot of the press: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K12_%28company%29 VHS is an interesting one indeed. I can't quite figure out how they are going to work it. It looks like they are partnering with schools so that students can get a degree from a school in their district even though all of their classes are taken from VHS. So rather than get a VHS degree, the degree will actually say Austin High or whatever their local school is. They are doing this only for "partner" schools, which are schools that they have already been supplying with online course material piecemeal. So, that must mean that they are meeting the state-required standards of each partner school. Thanks for the tip. I think I will call them and see if they are willing to be interviewed.
  • Juan Saldana on 17 Oct 13
     
    I call you the expert since this is your specialty and I wouldn't have know that this is a competing organization otherwise. I like the idea of a hybrid solution where some classes are physical and others are online, make for an easier transition.
  • Jackie Byford on 17 Oct 13
     
    I think this is a great alternative for students who don't fit well into the public setting, but at $450 a course per semester? WOW! I think I would save my money to pay for college.
  • Jennifer Henson on 17 Oct 13
     
    Jackie, think about all the costs they don't have to spend--wardrobe, gas to and from school, school supplies (fewer), etc. For many, the benefits far outweigh the costs. It can definitely be a good solution for many if the school is a good one and the student has other options for social interaction. Juan, you might be interested to learn about the USC hybrid school. They came recommended to me by the folks at ISTE, who are essentially the standards-setters for online ed. I ended up not interviewing them because they are not really an online high school, but more of a blended option. What appeals to me about that program is that it really is targeting underserved populations: http://uschybridhigh.org/ From their website somewhere: USC Hybrid High School is a college preparatory public charter high school in Downtown LA currently serving 9th and 10th grades. We combine a traditional "no excuses" model with a blended learning model that embeds technology across the curriculum and school day. Our goal is to develop self motivated and disciplined learners who are prepared to graduate from top four year universities and who will go on to use their college degrees to effect Positive Multigenerational Change. Its student population mirrors the population of the USC neighborhood, with 64% Latino/a, 28% African American, 4% White and 4% Asian students. About 82% of the students qualify for free or reduced price lunch. Spanish is the primary language in 40% of the homes.
  • Juan Saldana on 17 Oct 13
     
    I can see the demographic they have chosen to target as being most in need. I've grown up in neighborhoods like this and you don't always get the best teachers. It is tough trying to excel in a public school where most of your colleagues are in and our of Juvenile hall. Hybrid works simple because those who choose to learn, but are in less than a safe environment.
  • Jennifer Henson on 17 Oct 13
     
    I'm very interested in what you are saying here, Juan. Are you saying that hybrid works because those who choose to learn can do a chunk of their learning from a safer environment than the school? Please expand!
  • Juan Saldana on 17 Oct 13
     
    I would think so, in areas like SC LA, the Wards in Houston and New Orleans are some of the more impoverished areas in their respective states. Usually these environments are a little hostile and not really safe for students who want to learn much less got to school physically. I grew up in a gang ridden area and I saw many of my friends take to the streets rather than education, sadly most are gone or locked up today. I would imagine the same holds true for areas like Afghanistan where these groups prefer that their followers not be educated, take for instance the Pakistani girl shot for wanting to go to school. My idea is if these people had the opportunity to take classes in either a hybrid or fully online model they could proceed with their education in the safety of their homes. That being said for some people "home" might not be the safest place or best place to get an education. I guess it really depends on the situation. If a person wants to educated themselves they will find a way to do it. Slaves of the 1800s were taught in secret and they in turn taught others, and the history books do state that it was death for a slave to learn to read. An online education just makes it easier to do, because you lack the physical constriction. We all knew someone who was home schooled and we all thought it was the coolest thing to not have to come to school. That was just an off-shoot of correspondence school. Online education is just a natural evolution and if we are lucky be the norm. Schools are no longer the safest place to be and I think some day online may be the best alternative. Jen, hope these ramblings are of some benefit...
  • Jennifer Henson on 17 Oct 13
     
    Thanks so much for sharing, Juan. Very interesting, indeed! I've seen many ways that online can be useful, but I hadn't really thought this one through. You make me want to revisit that interview even though it isn't a typical online school so that I can learn more. THANK YOU!
  • Jaime Villanueva on 17 Oct 13
     
    I believe the parents of the students in these types of virtual schools would probably play a much greater role than parents would like to be involved. If not, who would keep the students on task? This also may exclude those parents that could not get involved because of limited resources. Additionally, what if both parents have a full time job this would make it difficult to balance work and the student's education at the same time. Most experts would probably agree that in order to be successful in these types of courses parents would need to be actively involved.
  • Jennifer Henson on 17 Oct 13
     
    Actually, Jaime, what I'm finding is that the students who are successful are the ones who are capable of self-motivating. Sometimes parents are involved and sometimes they aren't. Time management and getting enough social time are the two biggest issues for online students. Schools are coming up with all sorts of solutions, such as teachers who spend a lot of time poking and prodding students or calendar systems that send reminders and give students tools to keep themselves on pace for the former and clubs, summer camps, graduation/homecoming type ceremonies kids can attend in person for the social. Some schools also work out partnerships with regional schools to allow students to participate in local school music, dance, theatre, or sports. Many of the students are what we call "professional students," who are very driven to do something else--like compete in the Olympics--but don't want to miss out on their education, so they find the time to do what they need to do for school when they aren't training or competing. It's a world that is designed to meet special needs, but yes--either the student needs to be self-motivated, or he/she needs a strong parent or teacher to keep him/her on task.
  • Jennifer Henson on 17 Oct 13
     
    Hi Juan, I've got an interview set up with the Director of Academic Affairs of VHS for Tuesday morning. Thanks again for the tip. That's a real interesting setup they've got going on there! Jen
  • shaila a on 18 Oct 13
     
    Sounds like an interesting idea but I would ditto to what Jackie had said. I can totally see it work for GTs or child celebrities. Can you think of a newly immigrant child who needs to build on his/her English language skills or need to learn how to socialize in their new environment while trying to learn from an fully online program? I don't think it's for everyone. However, It's nice to know that there is an option for the few who can need it and/or can pay for it.
  • Juan Saldana on 18 Oct 13
     
    Jen, please keep us in the loop with how your interview goes, would be interested to hear.
  • Jennifer Henson on 18 Oct 13
     
    It really depends on the school. One of the biggest advantages of a program that is done right is that the child will actually get MORE individualized attention. So that immigrant child could be greatly helped by more individualized instruction. Some schools, though, are really more like correspondence programs put online, and the child is very much left to his/her own devices. In that situation, the student you describe will not likely make it and would be better off in a classroom where someone can witness his/her struggle.
  • Juan Saldana on 18 Oct 13
     
    Shaila, If memory serves you are from another country and this might some what match your situation. The towns I have lived in, have always been migrant towns, field works and day laborers. Their children have to up root and move with the seasons. They often don't speak much english if any at all. They have to uproot teachers and friends quite often and don't have a very stable living arrangements, much less education. This is not taking into account students who are from an entirely different continent with entirely different customs. The students will likely be chastised because of their religious view and practices, perhaps even things like attire and eating habits. I spent a month in Singapore for my employer and learned a lot about the mix cultures in that area and how areas at least within our organization are separated by religious views, even meals are prepared differently. So jump back to Online education and you see that this environment provides stability in their education, specialized teachers of appropriate language, and the ability to live a close to normal as possible. This is not to say that some foreign students do in fact acclimate to culture and system well, while still balancing their views and customs.
jbm20072003

How social Media can & should impact higher education - 1 views

www.wdhstore.com/...nov29-howsocial.pdf

shared by jbm20072003 on 21 Jun 14 - No Cached
jbm20072003 liked it
    • jbm20072003
      jbm20072003 on 21 Jun 14
       
      Of course instructors have to use a sense of caution and awareness when incorporating social media to insure it is properly used and has value. Social media should not be used to replace "person-to-person interaction.
    • rtrevin5
      rtrevin5 on 28 Jun 14
       
      Ok, I have read this article and find it interesting. I do tend to like these types of articles, but I will ask a question here. Why should it not be used to replace "person-to-person" interaction? I respect the statement, but I am curious as to your why. What is the rationale for it? Do you feel that something is lost in translation? Does it diminish the learning that takes place? I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter as I am curious about your perception(s) of this issue.
    • Lauren Simpson
      Lauren Simpson on 29 Jun 14
       
      I'm a big advocate of using social media in the classroom as means of keeping students and parents informed of the day to day happenings in my classroom, but I agree that it should not be used to replay "person-to-person interaction". I'm a product of the texting generation, and often find that it's easy to misinterpret the idiosyncrasies of personal face-to-face communications. To me it has to do with the tone in someone's voice, or their facial expression that is lost over social media.
    • jbm20072003
      jbm20072003 on 21 Jun 14
       
      The second page contains the literacies of social media
    • jbm20072003
      jbm20072003 on 21 Jun 14
       
      I think the key words here are "greater student interest." If don't grab their interest then we have lost the battle. We have to hook them in order for them to be responsive and open to learning
  • jbm20072003 on 21 Jun 14
     
    His literacies are helpful when considering to use social media in the classroom or work environment. Attention, Collaboration, Participation, Network Awareness, and Critical Consumption are essential when incorporating social media. The learner must have a sense of openness and willingness to share and collaborate, as well as being literate in order to take full advantage of their learning. This article really notes the benefits of using social media in the classroom. By allowing students to engage more and take control of their education by using social media sites also allows the student to stay interested in their learning.
  • jbm20072003 on 21 Jun 14
     
    Of course instructors have to use a sense of caution and awareness when incorporating social media to insure it is properly used and has value. Social media should not be used to replace "person-to-person interaction."
asuarez1

Building a Better School with Brain-Based Learning | Edutopia - 0 views

www.edutopia.org/earning-key-largo-school-video

Brain-based learning

shared by asuarez1 on 21 Jun 14 - Cached
  • asuarez1 on 21 Jun 14
     
    Brain-Based Learning in Florida
  • asuarez1 on 21 Jun 14
     
    I love that the video mentions "motivation initiative". Isn't that what it is all about? Letting students make connections, and creating a life-long desire to learn should be the focus. Brain-Based Learning encompasses learning styles and explains how the brain works. Isn't it important to know how a machine works in order to get the most out of it? What amazes me most about the video is that the students are engaged. Although many are working independently, they is no down time. Brain-Based Learning allows educators to use the time in the class effectively. The video also mentions special needs students. The beauty of this is that Brain-Based Learning applies to all learners! In the video, you see the rules applied. For example, #4 We don't pay attention to boring things is clear when you see all the students engaged and active. Repeat to remember is also evident since the students get multiple opportunities to practice the skill they are working on. Sensory integration is also important. The students were engaged in a multitude of activities that initiate the senses. This video is a clear example that our students are powerful and natural explorers. What would happen to our world if we treated them that way?
  • jennalsmith on 30 Jun 14
     
    The portion of the video that I thought was the most interesting was the approach that Jeanne Kurth takes in her classroom (bean bag chairs, water feature sound machine---#1 brain gym, # classroom environment, and #3 the way she presents her five subject areas.) I love that these teachers are customizing their teaching to the needs of the students. I think I will share this video with my team of instructors to encourage them to change up their lesson presentations!
1 - 9 of 9
Showing 20▼ items per page