whale of a tale

8/8/2019 Whale of a Tale

1/22


2/22

Blended Learning for Me and my Year 6 Class.

An opportunity to deliver a course over 3 weeks on the

computer via Educo -moodle

Integrate a field trip from LEARNZ web site

Provide a unit of work where students needed computer

access as much as teacher access

Combine a range of technologies in one unit to be taught

through OAS Inquiry model

The online teacher must also develop skills to foster interaction and communication with and between students during the

online learning experience. This requires the utilization of pedagogical techniques that draw on and integrate the available

telecommunication tools to support student collaboration and knowledge acquisition (Rovai, 2001; Swan et al., 2000). Cited in

Meredith DiPietro Richard E. Ferdig Erik W. Black Megan Preston: Volume 7, Number 1, Spring 2008


3/22


4/22

Purpose: Enhancement.

Build knowledge

Importance of conservation

Changes in attitude historic

Spark interest in role of Rainbow Warrior from

earlier course work

Allow a personalised approach with variety of ICTs

PP, poster, blog, movie, songEncourage all students to become involved in a

moodle course


5/22

Hardware

Availability

2 periods weeklyin the computersuite

Access to laptopsin class whenrequired

Data projector inclass for groupwork and skype


6/22

Getting Started:

Top Reading Group completed a moodle unit on novel aboutthe Rainbow Warrior

(forum comments brief, opened new windows, not deep discussion, followed Teacherguidelines closely, all participated)

Second unit novel early settlers to NZ

(higher order thinking, independent learning/study, own extension, group discussion,improved ICT skills, strong point of view expressed, inspirational)

Interest shown by other class members so I decided to

involve everyone in the Blended Learning Project

A report by the US Department of Education (2007) found that school districts that are using online courses,

as well as providers of these courses, indicate that the more support students receive at school, as well as online, the

better chances they have for success. There are suggestions in the research that a school-based facilitator may be essential

(e.g., Kirby & Driscoll, 1997) to student success. Cited in Wallace H. Hannuma*, Matthew J. Irvina, Pui-Wa Leib and Thomas

W. Farmerb aUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; bPennsylvania State University, USA


7/22

Independent learning

Blogging first Educo moodle second


8/22


9/22

Forum Comments - Reflection:

1. Thomas on Hunting Whales (15 replies)

i reckon thay deserve a chance to live not fall

asleep for ever because they are just like yourpets and it would be sad if they went

extincted because their already an

endangered

spiecies and it would be like thedinosaurs the other people that

like them lots seem sad


10/22

2. Kasey about Whaling as a culture (20 replies)-

Well in other countries they eat dogs and keep cows as

pets then we eat cows and keep dogs as pets...

and then in India and other places people kill elephants

and then Japan kills whales then here we kill ducks andeat salmon I mean there is a food chain but we could

watch how much we kill and allow the animals to

regenarate there speicies! so that nothing goes

exstincted because they are already

endangered!


11/22

3. Sheryll What can we do?(11 replies)

They can tell them to stop and show them

what its doing to the environment and to the

whales and ask them how would them feel if

that was being done to them!!!


12/22

Presenting our

focus question

One group

created a poster

Most groups

shared a power

point

One group

created a movie


13/22

My reflection: BL and Pedagogy taken from VLN

Skype new experience, assisted with creating focus

questions. 7 Sept.

Best use of resources and limited time to cover primary

curriculum 17 Sept.

all at different stages which is great. I am enjoying the

flexibility and availability that I am to be a supporter during

working time.22 Sept.

powerful teaching and learning, lots of supportive students

and much evidence of building K C. 23 Sept.Embraced the technology and opportunities presented to

them. Incidental learning. 28 Oct.


14/22

Student Reflection


15/22

VLN Reflective Blogging

Both the students and I reflected weekly on our

learning

For me it was an opportunity to critically reflect, to

plan, consider what I would have changed and

comment about individual student needs.

Also useful when reviewing my progress preparingthis project power point.


16/22

Student reflective Blog

Sarah writes about her learning A blog post


17/22

E-Portfolio for blogs and saving work

Melanies Page Jessicas Page


18/22

Students Blogging


19/22

Was it worthwhile?

An amazing journey of discovery for all students

Independence for those more able as well as extra face

to face help for those who needed it.

Strong evidence of students using the technologies to

follow their own thinking pathRelevant model of the inquiry process used

Incidental learning and improved ICT skills

Good use of external resources like LEARNZ

Pre-planned unit was a base allowing for flexibility for

teacher and students

Stronger student ownership of their learning

A fun way to learn

Definitely YES!


20/22

Overcoming Implications for OAS

Teacher openness to embrace and plan new

learning opportunities

Consider your pedagogical approach to

teaching and learning

Access to a bank of computers for individuals

Patience to support student learning


21/22

Students completed the BLP with the

question..So what can we do to help

whales?

I ask you as an OAS staff So what

are you prepared to do to supportyour students with blended learning

opportunities in our school?

The attention virtual schooling has gained from the K-12 arena leads to the consideration of blended, or hybrid

learning environments where aspects of online learning are integrated into traditional, face-to-face settings.

Having an established, research based set of practices associated with successful virtual school teaching can

facilitate the exploration of the best practices for teaching in blended, or hybrid environments.

Meredith DiPietro Richard E. Ferdig Erik W. Black Megan Preston: Volume 7, Number 1, Spring 2008


22/22

References:

Best practices in teaching K-12 online: Lessons learned from Michigan Virtual School

teachersMeredith DiPietro Richard E. Ferdig Erik W. Black Megan Preston University of

Florida, Gainesville Volume 7, Number 1, Spring 2008 ISSN: 1541-4914

Education Week - 9 Articles on E learning and K12 education PDF document 16/08

Effectiveness of using learner-centered principles on student retention in

distance education courses in rural schoolsWallace H. Hannuma*, Matthew J. Irvina, Pui-Wa Leib and Thomas W. Farmerb

aUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; bPennsylvania State University, USA

1TC0aD.y1IlE0o8r 0Aa/n0d13 53F89ra7n94c13i0.ss8g0m2395763 (Received 25 May 2008; final version

received 6 August 2008)

Ko and Rosen chapter11 Classroom Management :Special Issues angela 16/08

Forum comments in assignment 2 for background information and ideas.

whale of a tale

Documents