A System Approach for Introducing Web Based Learning: The Model and Practice of “AVIV” Virtual School Eyal Sassoon eyal@ort.org.il Project Director ORT Israel R&D Center Pedagogic director ORT Snunit Aviv Virtual School

What constitutes Aviv ? Aviv Assimilation Courses Students

Who is Aviv ? http://aviv.k12.il ORT Israel & the Hebrew University ORT - an international educational organization ORT Israel - runs Junior High schools & High schools (age 12-18)

Anyone Anytime Anywhere ? Courses Students Assimilation Schools NO

Schools, Teachers & Students 1997-1998 1998-1999 12 schools (17 accepted, 40 applicants) 60 classroom- teachers , 15 virtual teachers & 2,000 students 22 schools 160 classroom- teachers 25 virtual teachers & 6,000 students These schools represent the various religious, national and geographical sectors of Israel and of Israeli society.

Criteria for recruiting schools An enthusiastic and supportive principal A networked computer lab linked by a high-speed line to the Internet (e.g. frame relay). Available technician or system operator. A minimum enrollment of 4 yearly classes. Designating a coordinator for Aviv activities.

Assimilation - 3 Layers of support Training program & courses Teachers Regional coordinator School + Teachers Virtual support Students + Teachers

Training programs & courses Internet literacy communicating: e-mail, forums surfing: finding & using information Courses in the subject matter Didactics, presentation method, activities and evaluation.

In-school support: The Regional coordinator Issues: School-wide acceptance Before, after and in-class support. Method: On-site: meetings on a weekly basis. Remote: e-mail, discussion groups & phone.

The Virtual Teacher: Expert subject matter support Student learning support - responding to e-mail within 24 hours. School teacher support: e-mail, phone Directing the course’s forum Evaluating the students participation in the learning process.

Courses Curricular e.g. Ecology for Junior High, Translation Skills e.g. Information Literacy Excel Courses Scope: Integrative Courseware Lab Guiding Axis

Courses Building Blocks Guided forums: embedded meta questions Open forums: always available Polls: student reflects & participates Self test: how am I doing? Short papers: activity & evaluation Links: not everything is included to demonstrate a concept or an idea to perform research Stick-it notes