You never know where a blogpost will lead

I follow a lot of different blogposts but do not have time to read all of them. However, today I did have some time to read some of the blogs that I follow and I first read Carrie Schneider’s Post on the Getting Smart blog entitled “EdTech 10: Top 15 Announcements“. I was aware of the ASU / GSV Summit but was not sure of the content nor the attendees. It was great to get caught up with the Top 15 announcements which lead me to the “Fun in the Sun” blogpost about the overall conference, which caused me to read the Ed Week blogpost about one of the panels at the gathering.

Stacey Childress of the Gates Foundation, was a panel member.  She and others compared the medical field to the education field and in particular about the importance of the right tools in the hands of the right practitioners.  This lead me to read Stacey’s post entitled “Closing keynote a step in the wrong direction.”  It was interesting to read how how the final keynote speaker, Andy Kessler, missed the mark.  I have been at other conferences where you gather for the final keynote expecting inspiration and reflection about the overall direction of education and end up disappointed.  Stacey’s blogpost lead me to look at the Twitter stream with the hashtag #eisummit, which provided even more information that I did not have time to read.

Overall, I learned about the passionate education thinkers and innovators who attended this gathering and a glimpse into the future of education.

 

 

 

Happy Digital Learning Day! #DLday

I can’t think of a better place so spend Digital Learning Day than at a school – whether it is a building, a blended learning environment or online.

Today, I was fortunate to be at the Bronx Arena High School in the Bronx. iLearnNYC Implementation managers Britt Neuhaus and Gerard Zoehfeld organized a cohort meeting to take place at the Bronx Arena School. Cohort meetings invite members of each cohort to attend a professional development day focused on blended learning.

In addition to information shared by Bronx Arena principal Ty Cesena, Bronx Arena students toured three different groups around the school – visiting classrooms and talking with students. Bronx Arena High School are for students who are over aged and under credited students who have not yet earned their high school diploma. In each classroom, we saw each student on the computer, the “teacher’s area” was somewhere central in the classroom and the teacher was either circulating around the room or meeting with individuals or small groups of students. The school has a course management system that they developed with content developed by the teachers. This is the content that students are using for their learning.

As part of our observation, we were asked to look for evidence of blended learning around these types of facilitation modes:

• One-to-one support
• Small group mini-lessons
• Small group discussions
• Conferencing
• Whole group instruction
• Peer to peer interaction
• Teacher circulation

In addition to the observations and discussions, we invited three principals to be part of a “Conversation about Implementing Blended Learning.”  This digital learning day activity information can be found on the iLearnNYC wiki. The three principals are all at schools where blended learning is being implemented in a variety of ways. Peter Oroszlany is principal at Mott Hall V, which is a school with grades 6-11. They have begun to implement blended learning with science teachers in grades 6, 7 and 8. PJ Murray is principal of Olympus Academy, a transfer school for students who are over aged and under credited student. And Ty Cesena is principal of Bronx Arena High School, also a transfer school.   They were asked a series of questions.  The common information that was shared if you are planning to implement blended learning is:

• All students need to have their own computer or device
• Start small and build
• Build relationships with teachers and check in with them on a daily basis
• Provide time for teachers to plan and discuss how blended learning is working as related to student outcomes (all schools have dedicated time for teachers at least once a week)
• The teachers now spend more time circulating around classrooms interacting with students both individually and in groups more when there is blended teaching.

The entire conversation was U-Streamed and recorded. Enjoy watching the conversation here.  (Those of us involved in the recording, now realize that we should have had a microphone for the speakers, so the audio is a little quiet in spots).

The questions answered by the principals were as follows:

1. When you first started blended learning at your school, what did you do to support teachers at your school to move in this direction – to buy-in to blended learning?
2. Now that blended learning is functioning in your schools, what ongoing strategies/professional development takes place to support teachers?
3. What measures (formal and informal) are you using in your school that indicate blended learning is being successful?
4. How has the teacher experience different since you have shifted to a blended model?
5. What other tips would you offer an administrator who would like to have their school shift to blended learning?

Happy Digital Learning Day!

#vss12 Reflections and Perspectives

A variety of individuals – all who care deeply about education – recently attended or participated in iNACOL’s Virtual School Symposium 2012 that took place in October in New Orleans.  More than 2000 people attended the conference and about 45% of the people who attended were new to attending the conference. Everyone else had attended at least one time in the past. There were more than 1500 tweets that occurred with the #Vss12 hashtag and a number of blogposts were written.

First, it seems like the “Toms” were some of the key bloggers who wrote their ideas about their take aways from VSS. First, Tom Vander Ark wrote about the six trends he observed including creative tools, competency based learning, educational choice, personalized learning, bring your own device and rethinking systems.  Tom Whitby, in a post entitled “The Missing Link“, shared that he believed that the VSS12 attracted some of the best of the best in online and blended learning. He found that many of the sessions he attended were presented by vendors and education reformers, and emphasized the importance of having “real classroom educators” presenting the sessions in the future.

Other trends shared included how the virtual school symposium is shifting to learning more about blended learning and teaching as shared by Education Week blogger Ian Quillen while Andrew Miller wrote about how games in virtual education is another trend. Another Education Week blogger, Katie Ash wrote about how blended learning models have developed that foreshadowed what would occur at VSS12.  In addition, Tory Gattis from the Houston Chronicle wrote about his take aways including the keynote speech by John White, Superintendent of Education in Louisiana  how Louisiana and other states are empowering schools to utilize blended and online learning, and how 46 states have adopted the new Common Core standards.  Bekci Kelly wrote about how VSS is a call to action by all who attended to share and collaborate about online and blended learning, while Joy Nehr wrote about what many considered was a highlight of VSS – the student panel.  A recording of that student panel can be found here. Finally, Roxy Mourant shared her notes from the VSS sessions she attended here.

Other reflections include:

• Jeffrey Hunt - Summarizes several VSS sessions.
• Michael Horn – iNACOL’s virtual schools and beyond
• Drew Perkins – Summarizes several VSS sessions

Many of the VSS sessions were recorded which can be found here.

#vss12 What I learned

I am always exhausted when returning from most conferences because of constant meetings, sessions and interactions with others in a variety of ways.  Attending past Virtual School Symposiums sponsored by the iNACOL was always a highlight of my year because I got to reconnect with people I would only see at VSS, learn about the latest updates, and read about the latest policy updates via Keeping Pace. I always returned home mentally and physically exhausted because of the non-stop information sharing.

VSS12 was a little different because as an iNACOL staff member, I had other responsibilities.  I arrived home in California twice as exhausted as in the past.  I am thankful for the 10 hours of sleep I got last night and now have some time to reflect on what I learned from my new perspective.

First, the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and sharing continues to be the common language shared by all of those who attend in person and online. It is so refreshing to have conversations with others about ways to better reach students in online and blende learning programs rather than “if” we should have a blended or online learning program.

Second, the student panel was a highlight of the conference for me. This was a group of eight students from the New Orleans area who bravely agreed to sit on stage in front of 2000 adults and share what they thought about their experiences with online and blended learning.  Students in the group ranged from third grader to a college freshman – all who have been in full or part time online or blended learning programs.  The one young man talked about how he overcame a drug addiction before he got serious about his high school courses. After failing courses, he got on the right track and earned his high school diploma with the help of an online program. Another young lady shared how she enjoys doing her online work early in the morning so she is finished by noon when she can do other things like learning to cook with her mom. Another student shared if they did not understand a concept, then they could review it over and over in their online course until they get it. The students definitely reminded me of why I do what I do to promote accessibility to online and blended learning.

Third, I enjoyed presenting with Michael Horn to talk about the models of blended learning and what that really looks like for a blended learning teacher. From our conversation I learned that there is more of a change in how a teacher teaches in the flex model of blended learning than in the rotation model. The teaching pedagogy including online discussion boards, students turning in work online, flipped-type teaching are more evident in teachers who teach in the flex model than in the rotation model. I think this is where most traditional schools will eventually end up – with variations of the flex model – because with this model, teachers have to change how they deliver their curriculum.

Fourth, I enjoyed being part of the panel of the blogging online educators. It was exciting to hear the passion from online educator bloggers James Brauer, Kristin Kipp, Bekci Kelly and Joy Nehr. Each of them shared how their blogs are providing a voice for their work. And how our ongoing sharing with one another causes all of us to refine our craft and better articulate the stories of online and blended learning that occur in all of our lives every day. Hopefully, others will join our group.

In case you missed VSS or want to reflect on what you learned, here are some links that may help:

• Pathable Online Community lists the presentations and presentation handouts – it will soon be freely accessible to non-attendees
• Recorded sessions (all will be linked soon)
• Twitter feed (#vss12 hashtag) – The top tweet was: “The problem isn’t that our education system has gotten worse, the problem is that it hasn’t changed.”
• iNACOL Facebook page shows some of the pictures taken by those who attended – join our iNACOL group!
• iNACOL Flickr group page shows other pictures from the conference as well

On the way to #VSS12

Today I travel to the Virtual School Symposium in New Orleans.  I am looking forward to seeing the people I have seen at the many previous VSS conferences and hearing about their progress.  One of the great things about VSS is that you don’t have to explain to others why online learning is important for students. VSS is a great place to relax and enjoy hearing about what everyone else is doing, to hear the same stories about start up and maintaining a program, and a chance to share with others about your own online or blended learning program.

VSS is a great place for:

• Sharing stories
• Learning new ways to engage online learners
• Learning new ways to manage your time as an online teacher
• Hearing about how online and blended learning have impacted student learning
• Thinking about the future of online and blended learning
• Learning new and better ways to maintain the quality of online and blended learning programs
• Hearing about the latest and future trends
• Learning about the things you want to learn about

Everyone at VSS is there to share ideas and to listen to one another – and to encourage one another.  There are few people I have ever met at VSS that have any kind of ego or suggest they have all the answers. This reminds me of two great quotes:

From Benjamin Franklin in the 1776: “Ay, we must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

And from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

This is what VSS is all about.

See you there.

VSS 12 or #vss12

Long before I became a staff member for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), I attended the the Virtual School Symposium or VSS.  The conference itself has been around for longer than iNACOL because originally the conference was sponsored by eCollege before the organization itself was established.  For those interested in more history of iNACOL, you can read more here. I can remember the first VSS that was held in 2000 because I did not get to attend.  At the time, the Director of Technology and Associate Superintendent from the school district where I was working did attend.  The “aha” for them by attending that first VSS was that if a high school online course was going to be effective, it did not mean they could increase the number of students per teacher.  Many myths about online learning have been clarified by those who attend VSS.

I was fortunate to attend VSS in 2011 and many subsequent VSS conferences. At each one, my knowledge and passion for online and blended learning grew. Next thing I knew I was principal of an online high school and then working for iNACOL full time (not at the same time of course).

One of the great ironies of attending VSS in person is that some wonder why online or blended educators can’t just learn about all the things regarding online and blended learning online…I mean, after all, part of these teachers and administrators existence is with people they may never see face-to-face!  The reality is that, as humans, we enjoy and crave meeting other people face-to-face.  And while interactions online provide information in ways that you cannot do face-to-face….there are interactions that occur face-to-face that you cannot do online .  So, that’s the fun of VSS – you get to meet the people in person you have only met online for the past year.

Leading up to VSS next week, we are sponsoring daily Tweets with the hashtag #VSS12 and in particular, we will have a Tweet Up on Wed. Oct. 17 at 5:30 ET.  A new addition for VSS this year will be the use of the Social Media tool called Pathable – all conference attendees are automatic members.

And, of course there is still time to register and be part of VSS12 - along with the other 1900 people who are already registered.  I will enjoy hearing about what others look forward to while attending VSS.

California Ed Tech Task Force “Briefings” Tour

The California Department of Education, under the leadership of Superintendent Tom Torlakson, has implemented a process that will lead to new goals regarding Education Technology (which includes online and blended learning).  In March 2012, there were 48 people appointed to the Ed Tech Task Force. Their task was to write a memo to the Superintendent making their recommendations.  This memo was released on August 16, 2012 (a summary of the memo is listed below). Now, there is a “Public Briefings and Listening Tour” to share the memo and listen to input from educators across California.  Here are the locations and times:

• June 1, 2012 – First Look  for Technology Partners 
• September 11, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Santa Clara County Office of Education 
• September 12, 1 to 3 p.m. – Butte County Office of Education 
• September 18, 10 a.m. to Noon – Stanislaus County Office of Education, Martin G. Petersen Event Center 
• September 20, 10 a.m. to Noon – Fresno/Clovis Area –  State Center Consortium – Fresno Area 
• September 25, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Orange County Department of Education 
• October 2, 10 a.m. to Noon – Association of California School Administrators – Ontario Office

Beth Olshewsky, the Library Media Supervisor from the Tulare County Office of Education created this nice summary of the memo:

Highlights include:

Learning:

• Online instructional materials + access to technology for 21^st century competencies and CCSS.
• “Any time, any place, any pace” individualized learning
• Model School Library Standards + Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards
• A solution to the ADA and instructional minutes barriers that limit online instruction
•  Availability of tools of statewide benefit, to transition schools from textbooks toward online instructional materials

Assessment:

• provides feedback to students and provides validation from “real world” experts
• provide essential technology, infrastructure, and professional development for CCSS formative and summative computer adaptive assessments.

Teaching:

• leverage and provide a regional and statewide technology support system
• facilitate online teaching and learning, teacher and administrator certification, and professional development standards.
• Encourage and reward teacher and administrators’ excellence in use of technology

Infrastructure:

• 1:1 anytime any place student: online connected device
• Development of minimum bandwidth standards.
• Connect existing data systems.
• Develop guidance documents for 21st century competencies that include an emphasis on safety and appropriate use. (which I read as moving from locked doors to educating about the online world around them and safety and appropriate use practices in it)
• Develop guidance on use of digital devices to meet Williams requirements
• Cabinet level position to provide leadership to implement No Child Left Offline (NCLO), coordinate technology integration into the daily work of the CDE, and be a resource on legislative and policy issues surrounding education technology.

Photo- Creative Commons License: School Bus