Virtual School Novice Badge

I would like to earn the Virtual School Novice badge. I feel that I completed all the requirements for this badge. Here are the links to my blog posts.

Intro

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/intro.html

Topic 1

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/topic-1.html

Topic 2

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/topic-2.html

Topic 3

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/topic-3-activity-1.html

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/topic-3-activity-2-and-summary.html

Topic 4

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/topic-4.html

Topic 5

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/topic-5.html

Topic 6

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/09/activity-2-i-do-believe-that.html

Topic 7

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/10/topic-7.html

Topic 8

http://ebmooc12.blogspot.com/2012/10/topic-8.html

Topic 8

Activity

I read the article, “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies.” You can find this article here http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf

 This article took research from 1996-2008 and put it into one article. This article found that the research suggests that online students did a little better than students who took brick and mortar classes (Means, ix).  The article also said that until 2008 there really were not any students that looked at student success in online vs. traditional schooling. I found that to be an interesting fact, but then again, maybe there were not that many online schools until 2008.  The article goes on to explain that actually students in blended learning did better than students who were entirely learning online and students who were entirely learning face to face (Means, xv).

I think that it is important to remember that students typically start off going to a brick and mortar elementary or pre K and therefore are more comfortable with this approach. I think it would be very hard to suddenly just switch and take all classes online. I think this is probably why students do better with a blended learning approach as opposed to an entirely online learning environment.

Works Cited

Means, Barabra Y. T. (n.d.). Evaluation of evidence-based practices in online learning: a meta-analysis and review of online learning studies. US department of Education.

Summary

After reading this weeks MOOC topic it seems that there are not many studies out there that really decide if online school is better than brick and mortal schooling. I think that is because not all students learn the same way and not all students are good test takers. Every child learns differently, so while online schooling might work wonderfully for some, for others it would not. If you are not a motivated student, then I do not think online schooling would be a success for you.

I did like how this week’s topic also mentioned the benefits and challenges associated with online learning.  One challenge that was not mentioned though was socialization. I feel that younger students really do need to learn how to socialize with their peers in a face to face manner. I think that so many young people today do not know how to have real conversations because most of their interactions with each other are through text, social media, or email. 

Topic 7

Activity

I do not work at on line school, so I found this activity to be hard. I just went ahead and graded my online graduate class, however, I could not answer all the questions, because I do not know all of the behind the scenes stuff.

Code	Factor name	Critical Success Factor (level 5 statement)	Relevance (1-5)	Score (1-5)	Reasons
R4	Usability	All systems usable, with internal evidence to back this up.	5	5	Course den is easy to use
R6	e-Learning Strategy	Regularly updated e-Learning Strategy, integrated with Learning and Teaching Strategy and all related strategies	na
R7	Decisions on Projects	Effective decision-making for e-learning projects across the whole school, including variations when justified.	na
R10	Training	All staff trained in virtual school system use, appropriate to job type - and retrained when needed.	na
R12	Costs	A fit for purpose costing system is used in all departments for costs of schooling both face to face and virtual.	5	5	I believe tution is the same for online classes as it is for face to face.
R13	Planning Annually	Integrated annual planning process for the virtual school department integrated with overall school and course planning.	na
R16	Technical Support to Staff	All staff engaged in the virtual school process have "nearby" fast-response technical support.	5	5	I can call tech support and they are very helpful
R19	Decisions on Programmes	There is effective decision-making for new virtual school courses across the whole school.	na
R22	Leadership in e-Learning	The capability of leaders to make decisions regarding virtual schooling is fully developed at departmental and school level.	na
R29	Management Style	The overall school management style is appropriate to manage its mix of educational and business activities	na
R35	Relationship Management Upwards	The school has effective processes designed to achieve high formal and informal credibility with relevant government and public agencies overseeing it.	5	5	West GA goes through accredation regularly
R53	Reliability	The virtual school e-learning system is as reliable as the main systems students and staff are used to from their wider experience as students and citizens,	5	5	Course den is always working.
R58	Market Research	Market research (to assess demand for virtual schooling) done centrally and in or on behalf of all departments, and aware of e-learning aspects; updated annually or prior to major programme planning.	na
R60	Security	A virtual school system where security breaches are known not to occur yet which allows staff and students to carry out their authorised duties easily and efficiently.	5	5	I have not had any issues with course den sharing my personal information
R91	Pupil Understanding of System	School pupils have good understanding of the rules governing assignment submission, feedback, plagiarism, costs, attendance, etc. and always act on them.	5	5	The syllabus for each class states the rules
R92	Pupil Help Desk	Help Desk is deemed as best practice.	na
R94	Pupil Satisfaction	Frequent (ideally annual) Pupil Satisfaction survey which explicitly addresses the main e-learning issues of relevance to pupils and their parents.	5	5	There is always a survey after each online class.

 Summary

I found it very interesting that a lot of Europe’s online schools were started for students with hardships. I think this a great way to get those students the education they need. Maybe the US should think about having an online school for only students with these hardships (pregnant teens, sick kids, etc).

I agree that in order for online schools to be successful they need to all have certain factors. One of the huge factors is that the school must be user friendly. If the online school or course is hard to navigate then the students might give up and drop the course. Also, in order for online schools to be successful they do need teachers who are leaders. Online schooling is still relatively new, so the teachers need to realize that they are the “guinea pigs” and things will not always go as planned.