CEP 811: Online Learning

     Since I teach in a computer lab all of the activities that are listed in the MMC companion guide would be beneficial to my students. I could use them to cover a variety of things like computer history, the Internet and the World Wide Web, document processing, cyber bullying, etc. I especially like using web quests in my class. A lot of content can be covered and the students seem to enjoy completing them. I am going to incorporate blogging much more heavily this year. Students will be using their personal blog to blog about different things that are covered in class along with discussion questions that will be posted daily. They will be expected to comment on each others blog postings as well. I'm also incorporating Edmodo into my classes this year. I think having a classroom social network will be extremely beneficial because it aids in collaboration, creativity, and feedback among students and the teacher. I would like to try to have a virtual conference with another computer class, possibly in a different country. I think that the students would really benefit from that diversity and outside collaboration.
     Whenever I introduce a new technology to my students I always use a video clip to spark interest. Then, we use the program to create something whether it is a document, presentation, etc. I always have a volunteer who sits at my desk and uses my computer that is connected to a starboard. I will read a set of steps divided into numbered tasks. We go step by step. As I read each step individually, my volunteer, whom I call my spokes-model, completes the task so the students can see it on the board. This way of teaching has worked well for my classes because the students are working on the computers (hands on), hearing me read the instructions aloud (auditory), and can watch the step being completed on the starboard (visual). I use a spokes-model because they generally complete the steps slower than I would on the computer. This is important because it helps set the pace for the class. It also allows me to move more freely around the room so I can help students and manage when needed. After we complete a project together using this method of guided practice, the students generally have an independent project to work on or problem to solve.
      I think that using a learning management system with my students may be difficult because my school doesn't have a district wide lms available. I think it might be a lot of work to get one up and running. I think it might be beneficial to use but I don't know much about them. I know that Moodle is available as a free resource, but at this point I've never used it before.