This unit took me almost three days to complete but when I checked my email this morning I was rewarded with the Participate badge! Receiving that badge gave me the motivation to buckle down and complete the Navigate unit. I liked this unit more than the Participate unit because I experimented with Adobe Connect and Haiku. Even though I have now created several accounts for more sites than I can recall, I have learned how to navigate sites I did not know existed and I can incorporate these sites into my physical classroom setting. Thanks to this unit I feel more confident in my ability to be an online teacher. I am not the most comfortable computer user, just ask my husband, but this unit has taught me to try new tools and get out of the comfort zone. I am excited to be moving on to the next unit, Communicate, because I think communication is the most essential tool in helping students succeed in the classroom.
The trend impact on technology for the next five years are portable devices such as smartphones and tablets, and very soon the Apple Watch. The students I monitor for GAVS at FPCA will ask to use their smartphone to record a speaking assignment because they feel more comfortable using their phone and they already know how to record on their phone versus the desktop computer. There are two students who do all their assignments using their personal tablet they bring from home. Soon, students will own the Apple Watch and will be able to connect to their GAVS account on their wrist! Students like small, portable devices and their preference for these devices will have the biggest impact on the technology trend for the next five years.
I know businesses, the military, government use LMS programs, but I'll focus on schools using a LMS program. The first factor a school will consider when comparing LMS programs is the cost. Every year school systems face budget cuts and even though most schools are incorporating technology in the class if a program is cheaper than the rest then the most affordable program will be selected even if it is not ranked as the best or most user-friendly. If money is not a concern then the first criteria for selecting a LMS is how user-friendly is the program? Not every student is comfortable using a computer. A student at FPCA could not log in to her Khan Academy account, but instead of asking for help she ignored the problem. There are other students like her who would do the same if they experience even the slightest problem with a program. Most students have a smart phone or tablet and if the program is capable with a mobile device then the student is more likely to use the LMS program. The last criteria to consider when selecting an LMS is the number of seats the program can support. Most physical class sizes are now between 32-35 students, therefore, the program must support at least 40 seats in the virtual classroom.
Most important criteria:
What are the options for grade reporting?
Haiku options include:
Are there various levels? Yes, you can choose to print, publish, and email the reports. Which levels remain most valuable for the online instructor in regard to student performance? The ability to assess and grade each question at a time is more valuable to an online teacher because he/she can gather data on which concepts were mastered or not. If the teacher sees that most students did not understand a concept then the teacher will need to review the material again before moving on to the next unit. If only one or two students did not master a concept then the teacher can offer extra help to those individuals. The LMS I selected to use is Haiku. Haiku offers the following tools for teachers and students:
All tools are valuable in this online community, especially being cloud based allowing students and teacher to store documents with ease Which would be of least value? I think I could successfully teach an online class without the poll and survey tool. It seems to be least useful. Once I start teaching an online class I might change my mind! :) I decided to create an account with Haiku. Once I was logged in I followed the step-by-step instructions that popped up on the screen and was able to activate my class, create an attendance book, a customized grading period, and share my class with other Haiku users. I was able to view my class as a student to check that the page was working.
Welcome to my Haiku! Haiku has the following features:
The tools used in a LMS (Learning Management System) can be divided into three simple categories: communication, evaluation, and analyzing/reporting. For my physical classroom I post my course syllabus on the wall for students and any parent visiting my room for a chat. I use a giant calendar with the assignments, tests, and quizzes written on the date it is scheduled to happen so students always know the due dates and when to start reviewing their notes. I think for my virtual classroom I will rely heavily on the communication tools. I will post the course syllabus on the homepage. I will keep the calendar updated with due dates. I will also email the students and facilitator to keep everyone informed of changeswhen needed. I am currently a GAVS monitor at FPCA and I email parents on a weekly basis of due dates and a list of which assignments need to be completed and submitted to avoid late penalties. I have learned in my short experience as a substitute teacher and classroom teacher that communication is key when you want students to succeed in learning the material.
How would the resource function in the online classroom? The Lecture Capture program can be used for asynchronous and synchronous learning. Synchronous learning will involve a live session with the students in attendance. Asynchronous learning will involve recording the session and posting the session for the students to view at a more convenient time in their schedule. How would the integration of Lecture Capture modify teaching methods? Posting the recorded lessons allow students review before the exam. Also, students can pause the lecture when writing notes. Allowing the students control over the lecture duration will help the individuals who need more time to process the information. Lecture Capture teaches the students via visual aid (video), oral aid (audio), and tactile (reading and controlling the speed of the lecture). Lecture Capture is not perfect, but it is a great tool to use in the visual classroom, especially for students with special needs. User shaslater shared this video on her blog and I am posting in to my blog so I can refer back to it in the future.
I decided to create a trial account with Adobe Connect because it is the program GAVS uses and according to current GAVS teachers it is easy to use. Once my account was established and I was logged in I watched the tutorial video on how to record a meeting. This recording was my second pretend meeting just so I could play around with the tools. :)
Pros:
Cons:
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