Reviewing your previous blog posts, what, if anything, has changed in your attitude toward online schools and online schooling over the past 15 weeks?
I think my attitude about online schools and courses has not changed very over the past 15 weeks. I took the course to use it as a launching pad for discovering what is going on with K-12 online schools. For my research and project long-term, it just reinforced that I should focus on higher education and adult learning until you all figure it out:).
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Boy was I wrong!
What did you learn this week that struck you as particularly important in learning about virtual schools? Has your thinking changed as a result of what you learned this week?
I learned this week that research is varied, methodologies may be questionable to compare to old models with new technology and that the road ahead for me is not as clear as I originally thought. I thought that lack of information would point the way for advances in new research, however, some of the old research and even the models are skewed. My work is grander than I thought! Isn't that always the way it is in research?
I learned this week that research is varied, methodologies may be questionable to compare to old models with new technology and that the road ahead for me is not as clear as I originally thought. I thought that lack of information would point the way for advances in new research, however, some of the old research and even the models are skewed. My work is grander than I thought! Isn't that always the way it is in research?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Small focus on wide lens
What did you learn this week that struck you as particularly important in learning about virtual schools? Has your thinking changed as a result of what you learned this week?
The most important thing I learned this week reading some very pertinent studies about virtual courses is that while in a case study the focus is small making grand generalizations about online learning is a much wider lens that will only come from a culmination of many smaller studies and over a period of time. My thinking has not changed and I actually further believe that this area is prime right now for certain disciplines and very valuable in certain circumstances beyond what a f2f environment can provide.
The most important thing I learned this week reading some very pertinent studies about virtual courses is that while in a case study the focus is small making grand generalizations about online learning is a much wider lens that will only come from a culmination of many smaller studies and over a period of time. My thinking has not changed and I actually further believe that this area is prime right now for certain disciplines and very valuable in certain circumstances beyond what a f2f environment can provide.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Rethinking and redesigning an online course
Now that you have seen what other people did in creating their units, is there anything that you might do differently if you were to redesign your own unit?
After reviewing the the units from other students in the class, I see the variables and endless choices in creating an online course. As with other established online courses, they were all very rich in text and not visually attractive. I am a visual learner and tend to look at a glance and like to get an overview of what is expected and the goals. I like to call it a visual outline. Many of the courses were so rich in text that it was hard to determine what the goals, mission and course objectives were for the course. But, at the same time, I discovered some valuable activity tools that I did not think of to enrich our unit if it were to put into practice. Since, I am doing our unit in person with students in a few weeks for another course, I am eager to see how it works. I like that our course was set up as a synchronous course. I don't remember other units set up purposefully for complete video synchronous interaction. I would like to have the place where the information resides be more interactive than powerpoint, but sometimes the simplest form is the easiest to navigate. It is what the students say in discussion that will interest me, not what they do online. So, the integration of Museumbox, like Heather Saksa and Melinda Sloan incorporated in their unit, would be a good exercise for the students to integrate using tools online with the assignments and the platform is a virtual museum!!! A win/win/win!!
After reviewing the the units from other students in the class, I see the variables and endless choices in creating an online course. As with other established online courses, they were all very rich in text and not visually attractive. I am a visual learner and tend to look at a glance and like to get an overview of what is expected and the goals. I like to call it a visual outline. Many of the courses were so rich in text that it was hard to determine what the goals, mission and course objectives were for the course. But, at the same time, I discovered some valuable activity tools that I did not think of to enrich our unit if it were to put into practice. Since, I am doing our unit in person with students in a few weeks for another course, I am eager to see how it works. I like that our course was set up as a synchronous course. I don't remember other units set up purposefully for complete video synchronous interaction. I would like to have the place where the information resides be more interactive than powerpoint, but sometimes the simplest form is the easiest to navigate. It is what the students say in discussion that will interest me, not what they do online. So, the integration of Museumbox, like Heather Saksa and Melinda Sloan incorporated in their unit, would be a good exercise for the students to integrate using tools online with the assignments and the platform is a virtual museum!!! A win/win/win!!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Scary business...designing an online course
What are you most concerned about as you embark on creating a curriculum unit?
Creating a curriculum unit is daunting! I am concerned about accessibility of web 2.0 tools for user, their skills at using them, time management, quality of content and discussions in this environment for new users and overall the ability to express and discuss art, a very visual experience, over a digital connection.
Creating a curriculum unit is daunting! I am concerned about accessibility of web 2.0 tools for user, their skills at using them, time management, quality of content and discussions in this environment for new users and overall the ability to express and discuss art, a very visual experience, over a digital connection.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A new viewpoint on virtual schooling...
Did you change anything in the Google spreadsheet? If so, what? Has your view of the schools you chose to research changed from the first week you looked at them? If so, how?
My viewpoint on virtual school has actually become more conservative. After looking at the schools and courses, and discovering that not much is really substantial in the way they market and sell themselves has left me a skeptic. Also, I have definitely come to realize that I fall on the side of wanting to promote synchronous environments or some percentage of both asychrounous/sychronous for virtual schooling to be effective at all levels especially K-12.
My viewpoint on virtual school has actually become more conservative. After looking at the schools and courses, and discovering that not much is really substantial in the way they market and sell themselves has left me a skeptic. Also, I have definitely come to realize that I fall on the side of wanting to promote synchronous environments or some percentage of both asychrounous/sychronous for virtual schooling to be effective at all levels especially K-12.
Friday, February 18, 2011
TPI Results
Did the results of your TPI fit your image of yourself as a teacher? Do you think the TPI results are different for the same person teaching online and face-to-face?
The TPI results fit my image of myself as a teacher. I hold all four tenets equally important and equally dominant. All areas were scored evenly on the higher end before becoming overly dominant. One single area, nurturing is strongest for me and encouraging social change was least (by one point). The variation in all areas was between one or two points. I do not feel that TPI results should be different for a person teaching online. In fact, an online teacher, needs to apply these areas in their teaching utilizing a different tool and with the added ability to have technological skills and comfort in their repertoire.
The TPI results fit my image of myself as a teacher. I hold all four tenets equally important and equally dominant. All areas were scored evenly on the higher end before becoming overly dominant. One single area, nurturing is strongest for me and encouraging social change was least (by one point). The variation in all areas was between one or two points. I do not feel that TPI results should be different for a person teaching online. In fact, an online teacher, needs to apply these areas in their teaching utilizing a different tool and with the added ability to have technological skills and comfort in their repertoire.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Online schools more confused than ever...
How has your thinking about online schools and online schooling changed since the first week?
As I proceed on this journey of finding out how online schools function as accredited educational institutions offering either online courses or full classrooms, I am more confused than ever. One thing is prevalent and remains, education is a business. And like all businesses, one should be cautious and research thoroughly before choosing a school. State regulations and standards vary from state to state, but the online world opens up the opportunity to find quality learning outside one's state without having to physically travel. In other words, I am more cautious about the platforms being used, marketed and the overall effect on students utilizing virtual schools. My position on the ability of this technology to reach students remains positive, how it is being currently implemented has made me more cautious.
As I proceed on this journey of finding out how online schools function as accredited educational institutions offering either online courses or full classrooms, I am more confused than ever. One thing is prevalent and remains, education is a business. And like all businesses, one should be cautious and research thoroughly before choosing a school. State regulations and standards vary from state to state, but the online world opens up the opportunity to find quality learning outside one's state without having to physically travel. In other words, I am more cautious about the platforms being used, marketed and the overall effect on students utilizing virtual schools. My position on the ability of this technology to reach students remains positive, how it is being currently implemented has made me more cautious.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
State schools how do they differ?
What do you see as the biggest differences between how all the different state schools presented themselves (the overall look, not the content)? What do you think accounts for these differences?
State schools present their online course and classrooms offerings very much in the same way. Because state schools are strictly regulated by their respective bureaucratic mandates, the websites for these virtual schools are austere. The sites specifically target state and federal testing standards and try to market specifically to students and teachers to better meet requirements (AP, graduation regulations, and testing specific curricula) through online offerings. The scope of these sites is very much geared towards the qualitative aspect of education and not the quality of what each partnership (i.e. for-profit organization) can offer constituents beyond what is mandated. In comparison some states do differ, but this is an attribute of how the states regulations differ from one to the other across the nation. The overall theme of state online school websites is similar and institutional.
State schools present their online course and classrooms offerings very much in the same way. Because state schools are strictly regulated by their respective bureaucratic mandates, the websites for these virtual schools are austere. The sites specifically target state and federal testing standards and try to market specifically to students and teachers to better meet requirements (AP, graduation regulations, and testing specific curricula) through online offerings. The scope of these sites is very much geared towards the qualitative aspect of education and not the quality of what each partnership (i.e. for-profit organization) can offer constituents beyond what is mandated. In comparison some states do differ, but this is an attribute of how the states regulations differ from one to the other across the nation. The overall theme of state online school websites is similar and institutional.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
My kid wants to take a course..online?!?!!!
A musing about parents opinions of online courses:
My child wants to take an online class! And while, the websites look authentic they do not address my concerns. I don’t understand all this technical talk. How much time will my child be spending on the computer? Will he/she ever see their instructor? Is using a webcam safe? How will they be evaluated? And what about interaction with other students? I monitor his/her chatting/facebook use etc…none of the online school websites address these security concerns.
I like the idea of personalized attention to my child’s needs from the instructor at various times during the day and week. But, the website for the program doesn’t say how much interaction I can have with the instructor along the way. In (f2f) classrooms I have contacts at school. Please someone guide a parent through the process. It would be helpful if comments (like user feedback) was included on the website from students and parents who participated in the past.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Week one: Online Schools smart business?
What did you learn this week that surprised you? What was the biggest question you were left with at the end of this first week?
Clayton Christenson argues, very compellingly, that we are on the cusp of a breakthrough in business with virtual schools and online learning. He articulates through statistics and graphs and draws on similar models regarding disruptive innovation that the online virtuoso will change the way the world learns. It was surprising to me that in relation to mega giants like Apple, online learning can truly change the way we view education. The biggest question I have after the end of this first week and I imagine will continue to have throughout the course, is what next? In order to sustain the mission of online learning must encompass a foothold on the future and while expressing validity in the present. How can online learning stay grounded (as Christenson predicts) and keep up with changing technology?
Clayton Christenson argues, very compellingly, that we are on the cusp of a breakthrough in business with virtual schools and online learning. He articulates through statistics and graphs and draws on similar models regarding disruptive innovation that the online virtuoso will change the way the world learns. It was surprising to me that in relation to mega giants like Apple, online learning can truly change the way we view education. The biggest question I have after the end of this first week and I imagine will continue to have throughout the course, is what next? In order to sustain the mission of online learning must encompass a foothold on the future and while expressing validity in the present. How can online learning stay grounded (as Christenson predicts) and keep up with changing technology?
Friday, January 21, 2011
About Adrienne...the virtual art museum educator
Hello, and welcome to my blog. This is not my first blog. Three years ago I started a blog with the idea of discussing musings about art. Thus, the name of the blog traveling ART muse. At the time, I was working in an art museum in the Education department managing school programs for over 120,000 visitors per year. I worked with teachers and docents and tried to meet demand. It was overwhelming and disheartening that physical resources were not available to give all eager classes a guided tour and valuable museum education experience. I had completed a MA in Humanities - Art History and worked on a 2007 exhibition (Venice and the Islamic World 898-1797) before accepting the position in Education. I read all the books about blogging and was convinced that I would be committed to it unlike the 98% that on average fail. In my head, I was going to make millions talking about travels and art! Well, I blogged for one week and made $13.29 through google adsense. Of course, google pays out the first payment when it exceeds $30. So, ultimately, I made money for google.
I loved the idea of musing about art. After working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art for 5 years and upon acceptance into the doctoral program in Art & Art Education here at Teacher's College, I decided to be a full-time student this past summer and entrench myself in the academic environment. My interest lies in the area of museum education and art education in the classroom. Specifically, I want to focus on how multi-media technology can assist in expanding interest and better fulfill the education mission for those who are unable to visit in person.
Based on the model of Teach for America, I hope to expand my research globally and into socio-economic challenged schools. How nice would it be to have an expert in the field leading a video-conferencing discussion about a work of art in a museum with a student in Kyoto, Japan, another student in Africa and a class of visiting students from Harlem? I will never discount the value of being in front of a real work of art. However, virtual technology now allows us the ability to expand our imagination into the areas of realizing our dream destinations. Social networking, and living socially, has given the platform to the masses to have a voice. I see the need for the experts to fill the void with rich content and validity in the art education field.
I am interested in this class to discover how online learning and virtual learning is being used in K-12 settings and how it is being received and evaluated. I do not have any direct experience utilizing distance learning or online classes in my repetoire, but have had some exposure to successful teacher development programs that were taking place at the museum utilizing a distance learning strategy. I am looking forward to this class and to meeting all of you!
I loved the idea of musing about art. After working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art for 5 years and upon acceptance into the doctoral program in Art & Art Education here at Teacher's College, I decided to be a full-time student this past summer and entrench myself in the academic environment. My interest lies in the area of museum education and art education in the classroom. Specifically, I want to focus on how multi-media technology can assist in expanding interest and better fulfill the education mission for those who are unable to visit in person.
Based on the model of Teach for America, I hope to expand my research globally and into socio-economic challenged schools. How nice would it be to have an expert in the field leading a video-conferencing discussion about a work of art in a museum with a student in Kyoto, Japan, another student in Africa and a class of visiting students from Harlem? I will never discount the value of being in front of a real work of art. However, virtual technology now allows us the ability to expand our imagination into the areas of realizing our dream destinations. Social networking, and living socially, has given the platform to the masses to have a voice. I see the need for the experts to fill the void with rich content and validity in the art education field.
I am interested in this class to discover how online learning and virtual learning is being used in K-12 settings and how it is being received and evaluated. I do not have any direct experience utilizing distance learning or online classes in my repetoire, but have had some exposure to successful teacher development programs that were taking place at the museum utilizing a distance learning strategy. I am looking forward to this class and to meeting all of you!
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