Make sure all teachers have proven track records to deliver successful student outcomes and are willing to put in the time to communicate with parents, students, and administrators. Outside perspectives often conclude that online teaching is not as time consuming as face-to-face teaching. This is a myth. Teaching online demands constant one-on one attention to each student and parent.
Lesson seven: Prepare for unintended consequences. Innovative programs often provide positive impacts the entire district. Make resources in the online program available to all traditional classrooms. The online content, technology resources and collaboration tools can benefit teaching and learning throughout the district. Placing content and assessments in a LMS, which students and educators throughout the district can access, will align curriculum and share best practices broadly. Traditional and online classrooms will have access to a turnkey curriculum, which employs interactive instructional technologies, teacher resources, and online texts, to create an engaging learning experience for students.
Vanessa Wrenn is Director Instructional Technology Services at Granville County Schools.
References
Economics & Statistics Administration. (2011). Exploring the digital nation: Computer and Internet use at home. United States Department of Commerce. http://www.esa.doc.gov/ Reports/exploring-digital-nation-computer-and-internet-use- home.
Adams, S., Banks, B., Evans, B., Gardiner, L., Geunter, C., Irving, J. (2005). Learning management system (LMS) strategic review: A next generation learning management system for CSU, Chico. Retrieved from http://www.csuchico.edu/tlp/LMS2/LMSStrategicReview.pdf
Zhao, Y., Lei, J., Yan, B., Lai, C. and Tan, H. (2005). What makes the difference? A practical analysis of research on the effectiveness of distance education. Teachers College Record.
- 7 key steps in creating an online learning program - July 4, 2014