Preparing Teachers to Teach in Online and Blended Learning Environments DR. PAUL RESTA, U. OF TEXAS, AUSTIN JARL JONAS, BLACKBOARD INC MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2011

2 Welcome and Introductions Jarl Jonas Sr. Program Manager CourseSites My Lifelong Learning Journey -K12 Teacher, FL & NJ -Faculty Dev. Coord., NYU -Dir. Virtual College & Corp. Learning, NYU -Consulting Manager, Bb -Program Manger, CourseSites by Bb

3 CourseSites is a fully hosted, online course creation and facilitation service for high school teachers and higher education instructors. The Need to Keep Up What is CourseSites? Roles of Online Instructors Space Planner Host Pace-Setter Connector Mirror Review Agenda

4 Supplemental or full-time online learning opportunities are available to at least some students in 48 of the 50 states plus Washington, DC. „27 states, as well as Washington, DC, have statewide full-time online schools. „38 states have state virtual schools or state-led online initiatives, and Alaska is planning to open a statewide online learning network in „Many virtual schools show annual growth rates between 20% and 45%„. 75% of school districts had one or more students enrolled in an online or blended learning course. „72% of school districts with distance education programs planned to expand online offerings in the coming year. Source: The Need to Keep Up

5 Need for Free Resources “School budgets are under pressure—and many teachers are opening their own wallets as well as turning to free resources.” Source: Deepening Connections: Teachers Increasingly Rely on Media and Technology PBS and GRUNWALD ASSOCIATES LLC, 2011

6 What is CourseSites? Presentation Tools Content-Based Tools Distribution Tools Communication Tools Productivity Tools CourseSites is a free, fully hosted online course creation and facilitation service, specifically designed for individual instructors. Discussions Text Chat VoIP/Whiteboard Journals 24/7 Access Social Sharing Virtual Classroom Blogs Lesson Planning Efficient Grading Progress Reports Performance Dashboard Online Environment Text Chat VoIP/Whiteboard WSYWIG Editor Mash-ups (YouTube) Wikis VoIP/Whiteboard

7 The Roles of Online Instructors Five Roles I Play in Online Courses by Scot Headley

8 Space Planner “The first responsibility of online instructors is to plan their course space by using the functionality and activities of the online course to create abundant opportunities for interaction within an easily navigable interface.” Reference: “Five Roles I Play in Online Courses,” Scot Headley

9 Creating an Account

10 Quick, Easy Registration Instructors can sign up using popular web service credentials to lessen # of online accounts and reduce login errors

11 SETTING UP COURSES How do we make sure students do not feel like this?

12 Course Structures Choice of 32 pedagogically-driven course structures w/ sample content helps expedite the course building process

13 Serving As Host “In the host role, online instructors draw students into the experience of online learning and respond to student needs and concerns with a patient, welcoming, attentive attitude.” Reference: “Five Roles I Play in Online Courses,” Scot Headley

14 Steps to Get Started

15 Initial Guidance

16 Course Themes Choice of 50 themes creates aesthetic learning environment and enhances student engagement

17 Instructor Community

18 Instructor Home Page

19 Pace-Setter “Satisfactory experiences for the instructor and student in an Internet-based course require the recognition that the preparation, activities, and commitments are a bit different than those of face-to-face courses.” Reference: “Five Roles I Play in Online Courses,” Scot Headley

20 Getting Started with CourseSites

21 Student Orientation

22 Accessibility & Universal Design Request enrollment at accessible.coursesites.com

23 Lesson Planning

24 Learning Modules

25 Notifications

26 Connector " My connector role requires me to help participants make connections with each other, with the course content, and between their work in the course and their work outside the course space.” Reference: “Five Roles I Play in Online Courses,” Scot Headley

27 Wikis, Blogs, Journals

28 CourseSites Live Participant Window Text chat Audio controls Tools Activity Window (optional) Whiteboard tools

29 CourseSites IM

30 CourseSites Voice

31 Images (course banners) course banners) (Library of Congress) (royalty free) (now from w/in CourseSites) Video (now from w/in CourseSites) Web Content (now from w/in CourseSites) (Advanced K12, HE) (K12) Programs (create recorded overviews) (Creates Flash-based resources from PPT ) Multi-media Resources

32 Partner Capabilities Partner Capabilities – also at no cost! Respondus Assessment Creation LockDown Browser StudyMate Class Free versions for use on CourseSites only SoftChalk Free version for use on CourseSites only

33 Instructor Community “Educators are not limiting their searches to classroom content. They also are seeking ways to improve and grow professionally. Teachers increasingly are using the Internet to access instructional strategies and opportunities for professional development, collaboration and inspiration.” Source: Deepening Connections: Teachers Increasingly Rely on Media and Technology PBS and GRUNWALD ASSOCIATES LLC, 2011

34 Mirror “My personal goals within this role are to help individuals have an external guide to their mastery of the course content, to inform individuals of their level of success in fulfilling community commitments, and to encourage and challenge the group as a whole.” Reference: “Five Roles I Play in Online Courses,” Scot Headley

35 Testimonials and Showcases

36 Review Five Roles I Play in Online Courses by Scot Headley

37 Engage – Share Your Ideas Brainstorm Activity: Think about what we’ve discussed. Turn to a neighbor, and let him/her know of an idea you have or thought of as a result of today!

38 Get Started Today!

39 CourseSites Blog (Coming Soon) community.coursesites.com community.coursesites.com YouTube Facebook Stay Connected!