osg’s research based pedagogical model

Online School for Girls

OSG’s Research-based Pedagogical Model

Online School for Girls

www.onlineschoolforgirls.org

Online School for Girls

Review of Intro. PD Session• Growth in online education arena = challenge

and opportunity• OSG established to extend the mission of all-

girls education and create a resource missing from the landscape of online education – an online format designed specifically for girls’ education

• OSG focus first on pedagogy – how we teach what we teach – and then consider matters related to content

Online School for Girls

• Four guiding principles—students must: 1. Feel connected to their teachers and to their

classmates2. Collaborate frequently and meaningfully with

their classmates and with the teachers3. Be rewarded for creativity as much as

“correctness”4. Be frequently asked to focus on the

applications of the content extant in the real world

Online School for Girls

“We are yet but young in deed”According to 2009 Dept. of Education report:

• 1,132 research studies published involving online education

• 176 used experimental constructs to measure student learning outcomes

• 99 showed some contrast between the online format and the face-to-face format

• 9 involved K-12 learners

Online School for Girls

What we DO haveResearch involving:

• How girls interact with technology

• How girls learn best in STEM fields and environments

• How teachers and female students interact best

Online School for Girls

First ReadingTechnology Perceptions by Gender-by Cornelia Brunner and Dorothy Bennett

• cbrunner@edc.org• tel: (212) 807-4228

fax: (212) 633-8804

Click on this article on the “Readings for session content block on the right-hand side of the Haiku page

Online School for Girls

From Campbell’s piece:Female learning may occur first and foremost in relation to other human beings and living

things, whereas males may arrive at an understanding in relation to things and symbols, a

framework on which much computer-based instruction is based. (Elkjaer, 1992; Morrell,

1991). A criticism of learning technology has emerged parallel to the criticisms of

objectivist scientific models in this regard (Acker & Oatley, 1993; Balka & Doucette,1994;

Bryson & deCastell, 1993; Cockburn & Ormrod, 1993). A typical criticism for this

perspective was outlined by Margaret Wylie in Digital Media: “Make no mistake about it;

the Internet is male territory. Considering its roots are sunk deep in academic and the

military-industrial complex, that’s hardly surprising”

Online School for Girls

Second ReadingExecutive Summary of Tech-Savvy-by American Association of University Women

• www.aauw.org

Click on this article on the “Readings for session content block on the right-hand side of the Haiku page (be sure to begin on p.6, the Executive Summary)

Online School for Girls

From Tech-Savvy:• “The commission interprets such behavior not as

phobia but as a choice that invites a critique of the computing culture. We need a more inclusive computer culture that embraces multiple interests and backgrounds and that reflects the current ubiquity of technology in all aspects of life. As this report describes, girls assert a “we can, but I don’t want to” attitude toward computer technology: They insist on their abilities and skills in this area even as they vividly describe their disenchantment with the field, its careers, and social contexts. Although some of this attitude may be defensive, it is important to take a hard look at what these girls are feeling defensive about.”

Online School for Girls

Guiding Principle #1:APPLICATION

to engage in real-world problems and applications while having students probe the social and ethical dynamics that define and stretch our global society.

Online School for Girls

Working Collaboratively

•McDowell, Werner, Bullock, & Fernald•59.5% of the women who worked in pairs declared a computer science major•22.2% of the women who worked alone did the same

Online School for Girls

Guiding Principle #2:COLLABORATION

a commitment to incorporate collaboration in the learning experience.

Online School for Girls

Girls Connected

•Older teenage girls = 70% of participants

Online School for Girls

Guiding Principle #3:CONNECTION

the OSG classroom places great emphasis on enhancing connection among participants

Online School for Girls

Guiding Principle #4:CREATIVITY

the OSG teacher needs to be ever mindful that her/his assessment scheme both values and rewards creativity