I'm actually going to miss this course! The class was engaging, organized and applicable to my teaching life. The instructors were models of terrific facilitators.
My students are gaining 21st century skills by working collaboratively and exploring technology which has them problem-solving, communicating, and developing a sense of personal responsibility and time management. In my literature classes, students are using technology (VoiceThread, Glogster EDU, MovieMaker, Dvolver, etc.) to create booktalks. Students work collabo
ratively in Google docs and Google presentations. All of these tools force students to problem solve as they explore ways tech tools can meet their needs and develop a product.I understand the Virtual Schools Legislation in Wisconsin and am concerned that people who develop the legislation don't fully comprehend what occurs in our Wisconsin schools and how teaching "works." Those creating the legislation are not in the "trenches." I'm concerned they truly don't understand technology and online education. I'm also concerned that only those involved with technology are aware of and/or concerned about virtual schools. I also find it scary that the cap on the number of students allowed to enroll in online charter schools is less than one percent of Wisconsin's students; ,students are placed on a waiting list each year! Why should there be a barrier to allowing children access to a way of learning that may keep them in our school systems all the way through graduation!? I ran across the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families website and was intrigued...some great information and articles!
My district involvement in online learning involves NOTHING. I have HUGE concerns but am going to choose to keep them under wraps as, after all, my blog is on the web!
During this module, I was excited to be responsible for an asynchronous discussion. I looked forward to reading classmates' replies and what new resources they'd share. It was exciting to see people respond directly to something I had placed in our LMS.
