Blended Learning How Online Content Can Open Huge Doors for CTE Mike Fischer Director of C&I, 49er ROP Placer County Office of Education September 27, 2012

1. Welcome 2. Overview of Blended Learning 3. Tour of a Sample Course Online 4. Agencies and Resources 5. Courses at 49er ROP / PCOE 6. Content Management Systems 7. Pros & Cons, Successes & Challenges 8. Next Steps, things for ROC/Ps to consider Overview of Topics:

Mix of traditional instruction and web-based instruction Mix of traditional instruction and web-based instruction On ground + Online Face to face + Cyberspace Online materials delivered through a learning management system (LMS) Online materials delivered through a learning management system (LMS) –Blackboard, Moodle, Schoology, Desire to Learn What is blended learning?

Blended Model: –Students attend class AND go online –Online materials enhance face-to-face instruction –Tends to be more synchronous Blended model differs from fully online classes 100% Online Model: – No class meetings – All online, no face-to- face instruction – Course may be synchronous or asynchronous

Students access materials online through LMS Students access materials online through LMS –Presentations, links to web articles, graphics/media, videos, discussion boards –Assessments: quizzes and tests given online –Both formative and summative How learning happens

Options: Options: –Can fix time window –Can limit duration of test –Can scramble answers –Can prevent backtracking –Can use lockdown browser* *Disallows other websites Tech allows new options to address collaboration Exams Online? Really?

ROP instructors post materials and monitor activity online –Create assessments –Respond to student inquiries –Moderate student discussion boards –Post class announcements Instructors Role

To learn! –Attend class one day per week in community classroom courses –Complete online reading –Submit assignments online, take quizzes –Participate in discussion boards In blended model, online materials dont replace on- ground teaching, they enhance it. Students Role

Often created by instructor –Most texts come with some electronic materials –Many instructors have wealth of e-materials they created Can purchase course cartridge –Check with textbook publishers for compatibility AND tech support provided Who creates and uploads the course materials?

Certain outcomes: –There will be technical issues –There will be a learning curve for all –Teachers, students, tech experts –Sys Admin will have to solve tech problems so teachers can teach –Will likely train teachers –Will troubleshoot problems with uploading materials –Helpdesk for students and teachers is essential Critical Role: The System Administrator

Video Tour of a Blended Course

CCSESA e-Learning Framework CCSESA e-Learning Framework iNacol iNacol Leading Edge Certification Leading Edge Certification Agencies and Resources:

4 Focus Areas: 4 Focus Areas: –Content: What course outcomes are desired? –Teaching: What are best practices for blended instruction? –Technology: Which LMS, at what cost? What about equitable user access? –Operations: How will students be supported? CCSESA e-Learning Framework:

–40 states have virtual schools or initiatives –1.8M enrollments in K-12 districts nationwide ( ), 74% of which were HS –Highest enrollments are credit recovery and dual-credit –92% of students accessing courses from school, 78% accessing from home Fast Facts About Online Learning:

–Enable accountability through competency- based learning –Develop new assessments –Both formative and summative –Research and document best online practices –Professional development is critical –Ensure accessibility for all students Top Policy Issues:

–6 week certificate program for online educators –Builds active online participation skills –Develops connection tips with online students –Encourages ethical, safe, and legal online behavior in both educators and students –Supported by iNACOL and CTAP –Cost: $450 per participant Technology doesnt teach students, effective instruction does.

Recently developed ROP courses: Web 2.0 / Open Source Communications Web 2.0 / Open Source Communications Advanced Placement Computer Science* Advanced Placement Computer Science* Product Marketing* Product Marketing* Game Development (Microsoft X-Box programming) Game Development (Microsoft X-Box programming) Traditional ROP courses that are now blended: Clinical Medical Assisting Clinical Medical Assisting Dental Careers Dental Careers Veterinary Science* Veterinary Science* *UC approved courses Blended Courses at 49er ROP 12% of sections are blended Another 40% have digital content online

Learning Management Systems (LMS) LMSPros:Cons: Blackboard Robust LMS Industry Standard* Decent tech support Expensive Not especially intuitive Moodle Free! Growing in popularity Some tech help available online Need tech expertise in open source Schoology Very affordable Looks like Facebook Unproven, but promising

Able to serve students in new delivery model Able to serve students in new delivery model Learning is more student-centered rather than teacher-centered Learning is more student-centered rather than teacher-centered Allows flexibility for students and teachers Allows flexibility for students and teachers –Critical for a large regional program –Overcomes barriers of space and time Develops 21 st Century Skills in students Develops 21 st Century Skills in students New collaboration among veteran teachers New collaboration among veteran teachers Rich dialogues about new instructional practices Rich dialogues about new instructional practices Successes!

Not all students stay in touch online Not all students stay in touch online Connection with student harder to establish Connection with student harder to establish 100% online class requires low commitment from students (and limited success) 100% online class requires low commitment from students (and limited success) Intervention is more difficult online Intervention is more difficult online Technical issues with LMS Technical issues with LMS Technical issues with content from publishers Technical issues with content from publishers Different pedagogy (Leading Edge Certification) Different pedagogy (Leading Edge Certification) Challenges…

Flex funding has created a unique opportunity for ROC/Ps –Without affecting schools ADA funding, ROPs can offer online courses schools may not be able to –Regional programs draw students from multiple schools and provide adequate numbers for full sections –ROPs can attract students who may otherwise go to 100% online schools (save ADA for schools) Opportunity Knocks:

Next Steps: 1. Continue to pilot new courses and new approaches 2. Explore and refine LMS solutions for blended model 3. Develop best practices for blended instructors 4. Continue to provide professional development for all teachers (some of it online!) Next Steps for ROC/Ps and Blended Learning

Questions?

Thank you!