Charter Schools and Online Learning

One of the RSS Online Learning news feeds I receive is called “Online Learning Update” which is updated by Ray Schroeder at the University of Illinois.  Today, he had a link to Karen Piper who is a charter school mom living in Colorado.  Her posting about online learning and homeschooling caught Ray’s attention.  As I clicked onto her blog, I became more interested about the recent conference of the National Alliance of Charter Schools Organization.  Karen had linked to a talk by Howard Fuller, the alliance’s founding chairman.

Mr. Fuller talks about choice, charter schools and race in this powerful presentation.

NECC 2009 – Awesome from afar!

In the midst of working on work for my doctoral class, I have been listening and participating in Edubloggercon 09 at NECC09.  Steve Hargadon has set up this wiki to guide everyone with tagging and listening from afar.   Tags for this year are:  #ebc09 for the Edublogger Con event and then “NECC09″ for anything related to the NECC Conference.  Just Google this tag and you’ll find all the updates from blogs and tweets. Or click here to follow the tweets.

Every year, NECC has improved the ability to participate from afar.  Here are your opportunities (yes, it is all free, except for your time):

• Necc Unplugged
• ISTE Connects
• NECC Ning

Sign in and join the conversation at any time in the next four days.

Thanks to everyone who has helped provide this access from afar!

Clash of ages on NPR

I enjoyed hearing the NPR story entitled:  “The clash of ages: how technology divides workers.”   You can read the article or listen to the conversation.    The article explains:

Eric Pro, a 19-year-old electrical engineer at Aquas Inc. in Bethesda, Md., takes a few seconds out from his workday to send a quick text message on his T-Mobile Sidekick. He says he’s in trouble with his girlfriend and he’s trying to smooth things out….   In fact, 62 percent of Gen Y workers say they engage in social networking from work. That’s according to LexisNexis, an online information service. The results of LexisNexis’ Technology Gap Survey show vastly different attitudes about appropriate technology use among various generations in the work force. And this is creating a clash of cultures — especially during meetings.

Another example of what Don Tapscott describes in his book, Grown Up Digital, illustrating how Gen Y or the Net Generation is changing the world of work.  Can education be far behind?

Dissertation topic decided – update 3

I have spent the last four weeks defining my dissertation topic.  I knew from the outset that I wanted it to be something about K-12 online learning.   My starting point was a previous blog post.  Since then, I have emailed with researchers, talked on the phone with several of them, met with my dissertation chair, and then, talked with a statistics professor.   Michael Barbour over at Virtual Schooling responded via his blog.   I believe I now have a topic.  However, my next step is to find out if I can find the statistics I need for this topic.  Otherwise, it won’t do me any good to pursue this topic.

My dissertation research questions are:
1. Are there a disproportionate number of at risk students attending online charter schools as compared to comprehensive high schools?

2. Are at risk students being more successful in online schools?

I would compare full time online students  with students in a comprehensive high school.  I was advised to start small.  At this point in  time, I’m hoping to find an online school in one region/county in California who will provide me with their student statistics regarding demographics, test scores, grades, etc.  And, then find a corresponding comprehensive high school in the same region with the same statistics.

I would first define “at risk” using some of the drop out data/studies I have read.  It could be the number of previously failed courses or low achievement or previous grade retention.   Then, based on that definition, pull out the students and run some statistics.

Then, I will need to define what success is in online school, etc. and compare the at risk students in both settings.

What do you think?

Join the Clovis 23 Things!

Here is the latest iteration of the “23 Things”.  The focus is on any interested teacher, but also a way for teachers who may be interested in becoming an online teacher to learn more about Web 2.0 tools for personal or professional use.  Feel free to invite others…the more the merrier and it is free!

When? June 15 to August 7, 2009.

What is Clovis 23 Things?
- A service of the Clovis Online School

How to Start/Register: http://clovis23things.pbworks.com

It is a self-paced professional development program that will increase your knowledge about the use of online Web 2.0 tools in your teaching – for anyone who wants to learn more about Web 2.0 – for personal learning or teaching.  It is a discovery learning program designed to encourage you to explore new technologies and learn how you can apply them in your classroom.

It is based on the concept of “23 Things” originally developed by a public librarian in Charlotte, North Carolina (http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/).

Clovis 23 Things …is an online professional learning opportunity for educators

• Experience the latest Web 2.0 tools that can be used in your classroom…a self paced program
• Develop your own blog or wiki and find out about what the blogosphere is all about for education
• Have you wanted to find out all about this Web 2.0 stuff?  Now is your chance!
• 23 Things that will help you to better use online tools for education

Do it for your own enjoyment and personal growth and you can earn two units of continuing education credit.

When? June 15 to August 7, 2009.

How to Start/Register: http://clovis23things.pbworks.com

(No cost to register)

Continuing Education/Professional Development Credit: Fresno Pacific University

Course # is IND 1150.  Cost is $220 for two (2) units.

Registration can occur any time and is completed online.  Transcripts can be issued within a month of the completion of the course.

To Sign Up for Units

A) Have your credit card handy and go to:  http://www.fresno.edu/cpd/workshops/.  Click on “Classroom Learning 2.0” and sign up for the units.

B) Once registered, please send an email to Robdarrow [at] cusd [dot] com. with “Clovis 23 Things” – Clovis” in the subject line.

C) Questions about the online registration should be directed to Fresno Pacific Center for Professional Development at 559-453-2043 or 800-372-5505 or via email to Peggi Kriegbaum at  pllee@fresno.edu.

Other Questions? email robdarrow [at] cusd [dot] com.