Teaching English Online: Solving the Puzzle Rick Vanderwall Department of Languages and Literatures University of Northern Iowa

The Problem This year 50% of Iowa schools feature 1 : 1 technology initiatives Few English methods instructors include training in technology integration specific to our discipline. No consensus on best practice 21 st Century Skills in standards

Our Students ReelStatic.com

Growing Trends PewInternet.com

Essential Skills in Language Arts Reading Writing Listening/viewing Speaking How can we engage students in real learning in an online environment?

5 Rs for Engaging Millennials (Dr. Leigh Zeitz) Research-Based Methods Relevance Rationale Relaxed Rapport Dr. Christy Price

Goals of Instruction Characteristics of Effective Instruction – Teach for Understanding – Assessment for Learning – Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum – Teaching for Learner Differences – Student Centered Classrooms Quality Matters Rubric – 4.2 – How materials connect to activities – 6.2 – Tools, media support student engagement

Organization and Delivery Blackboard – Start Here Start Here – Course Content Course Content Google Sites alt Google Sites alt Edmodo Moodle

Common Core State Standards and Online Learning Adoption of the Common Core in multiple states enhances distance education Merging of CCSS and 21 st Century Skills21 st Century Skills – Higher order thinking skills – Consensus national baseline for career and college readiness – Performance outcomes Critical thinking, reasoning, media/information technology literacy

Primacy of Individual Response Key to literary study – Activities designed to engage students in higher level thinking about literature – Inquiry based approach – essential questions – Connection to written response – Guided discussion

Individual Response Online Traditional Reader Response Discussion, Blogging, Discussion Circles – Voice Thread Voice Thread – Blackboard wiki Blackboard wiki Multiple Platforms of Expression – Video Video – Audio Audio – Graphic, #2 Graphic#2 – Digital Animation alt Digital Animationalt

Teacher Talk One for each day of the course – Four week course – calendar reminders – Need help staying on top of the work – Mini lessons to introduce and guide only as needed – Assignment instruction – Encouragement Day One

The Wrap Meeting the individual needs of our students – Learning needs change Connecting via the media and tools available 5 Rs for Engaging – Research based – Relevant – Rationale – Relaxed – Rapport

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Teaching English Online: Solving the Puzzle Rick Vanderwall Department of Languages and Literatures University of Northern Iowa