Delivering VCE Physics 100% Online & Interactive Bruce Carpenter Victorian Virtual Learning Network (Physics) based at Bendigo Senior Secondary College STAV/AIP VCE Physics Teachers’ Conference 2014

Monash University Wireless Access username: ext-stavphys password: physics2014 Virtual Learning Network Website Demonstration course username: physicsconference password: vvlnguesthttp://vln.bssc.edu.au

Our Brief Proof of concept project for DEECD “can you teach VCE subjects entirely online” Alleviate difficulties of remote schools Explore online teaching & learning strategies Utilise internet and multimedia Use an asynchronous model

Why? Shortage of Physics Teachers Small classes Aligns with student expectations Short trials with schools in the Bendigo district. Trialled with BSSC Unit 3&4 Physics Classes

2012 Provided remote Physics to: Charlton Secondary College Baimbridge College (Hamilton) Swan Hill Secondary College Murrayville Community College Individual students at Bendigo Senior Secondary College

2013 Providing unit 1-2 Physics to: Swifts Creek School Cohuna Secondary College Camperdown College Maryborough Education Centre Rushworth P-12 College Murrayville Community College Werrimull P-12 School Bendigo Senior Secondary College

2013 Providing Unit 3-4 Physics to : Wycheproof P-12 college Baimbridge College (Hamilton) McClelland College Frankston Murrayville Community College Maryborough Education Centre Werrimull P-12 School Swifts Creek Bendigo Senior Secondary College

2014 Providing unit 1-2 Physics to: Swifts Creek School Baimbridge College Hamilton Cobram Secondary College Maryborough Education Centre Rushworth P-12 College Murrayville Community College Colac Secondary College Blackburn Secondary College Corryong College Mansfield Secondary College McClelland College Frankston Mt Erin College Somerville Secondary College Tallangatta Secondary College

School Visits

2014 Providing unit 3-4 Physics to: Swifts Creek School Baimbridge College Hamilton Dimboola Memorial Secondary College Rushworth P-12 College Heywood & District Secondary College Monbulk College Numurkah College

Online Course Features Anytime, anywhere, 24/7 availability Software independent (no special installations apart from Java and Stellarium) Must be instructional Provide similar experience to classrooms Adobe Connect sessions Individual help via Skype

Funding Four 0.6 to develop Units 1 to 4 Partly DEECD Partly Multimedia Victoria Grant

Funding Broadband Enabled Education & Skills Services Program (BEESS) Federal Government Broadband Enabled Innovation Program (BEIP) State Government

There is a lot of material already available, however... Not comprehensive for our course Not always instructional Far too open-ended Curriculum focus is unsuitable Static documents / text based - The ‘Electronic Filing Cabinet’

Research Internet searches Looking for courses not just activities Extensive travel interstate and overseas

Visits to distance/online education providers in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania ULearn Conference Nov 2010, Christchurch New Zealand Virtual Schools Symposium, Phoenix, Arizona ( Nov 2010) Idaho Digital Learning Academy, Boise Idaho Riverside Virtual School, Los Angeles

Vendors Not useful Many resources out there Very few written for VCE curriculum Bound up in yearly pay per student/school software fees

Typical US Online Course Assembled from a range of resources Includes Vendor provided learning objects Mainly text based Works in the US (different school culture) Not so sure about applying this to Australian physics students

The VVLN Online Physics Course

Learning Management System (LMS) MOODL E It’s Free!

Moodle Features Progress bar Submission Tasks Online Tests Forum Tracking student progress New Forums, Help forums

Extra Features Skype using document camera Adobe Connect meetings

Instructional Videos Teacher narration Explanation of theory Worked examples Branching options

Instructional Videos An engaging introduction Strategically placed animations, tables, graphs, fly-in text comments, diagrams, video clips.

Instructional Videos A ‘screencasting’ approach Rare Involve all usual features of a good lesson Multi-sensory (see, hear, do) Virtual Pointing “rough and unpolished” Authentic or “real” Easily edited and improved

DEMONSTRATIO N Instructional Video features Semi notes Virtual Prac Activity Quizlet

DEMONSTRATIO N Semi notes

DEMONSTRATIO N Instructional Video Unit 2 Physics – Energy Transformations

DEMONSTRATIO N Virtual Prac Activity Virtual Prac Instructions PhET Simulation – Energy Skate Park

DEMONSTRATIO N Quizlet

Remote Online Lessons Answers to set questions supplied Submission Tasks Individual SKYPE sessions

Findings from trials at BSSC Fast students go faster They attempt extension questions Slower students can rewind and catch up Illness, sport, camps not such a problem Can integrate prac work continuously VCE results at least as good as traditional class.

Advantages over traditional class Can help to train student teachers Benefits of years of teaching experience

How do we Make the Resources? Notebook (Smartboard) Software Adobe Captivate 6 Software Screen capture with eLearning tools Storyboard in Notebook or PowerPoint Narrate each slide Embellish with emphasis

Slides created using Notebook Software

Slides are imported into Adobe Captivate

Each slide is narrated

How do students Like it? Many student flip - flop Better student engagement Clear improvement over previous years Other teachers notice the improvement No student training needed No student resistance

Teacher Impact Teacher’s role changes fundamentally ‘Sage on the Stage’ to ‘Guide on the Side’ Class time available for directly addressing student concerns. You will know your students better

Response Overwhelmingly positive so far We recognise it is not for everyone It has worked for us Low dropout rate Results as good as expected if not better

The Future Delivery to more remote schools National Physics Curriculum Revision Lectures Adjustments due to single Nov Exam More VCE subjects to be developed Publish to a range of mobile devices iPad (HTML 5 and simulations)

Other VLN online Courses Maths Methods Units 1-2 Psychology Units 1&2 Specialist Maths 3&4 Chemistry 1&2 Legal Studies 1-4 Health 1-4 General Maths (under construction)

DEECD Excellence Awards 2013

Bruce Carpenter Virtual Learning Network – Physics Bendigo Senior Secondary College Website Demonstration course username: physicsconference password: vvlnguest