Report on the Exploratory Research project on Online Learning in southwest MB, 9-12. Presented to Southwest MB School Superintendents & Web-Based Contacts Meeting for MB Education. December, 2009.

1. Technology Based Distance Learning An Exploratory Research Study Michael NantaisAssistant ProfessorBrandon UniversityClark GawletzGraduate StudentBrandon UniversityMarion Terry, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorBrandon University

3. exploratory, qualitative study of current practice & experience in SW Manitoba

5. Interviews ~ 6 teachers (4 schools, 2 divisions)

6. Focus group meeting ~ 8 educators (teachers, admin, ME consultants)

7. Literature reviewData analysis: transcription and analysis for common themes in interviews, focus group & literature

8. The Report

9. The Themes

10. "You have to have tech support. It is huge because there is nothing more frustrating than if the equipment isn't working, and kids give up.” "We feel that it [online learning] is a necessity if we want our school open.” "I think that what we can bring to the kids is going to change education. To me, this is just another way to enrich what you're delivering to the kids.” "There really needs to be somebody in each school who keeps an eye on the online students . . . The support would certainly help to ensure success.” "You have to be willing to try different things – be a problem solver . . . If something doesn't work, you have to think about how you can present it in a different way online.” "if everybody buys into it, the teacher, the principal at the other end, the parent, that kid is going to be successful”

12. regional coordination for seat sharing

14. technology requirements clearly communicated to students, software up to date

15. unfiltered access to required applications and web sites

16. student have access to required hardware/softwareTechnology

18. inform parents & community, have face-to-face meeting with parents

19. school administrators and counselors be familiar with online learning

20. provide onsite support for students & liaison for teacher

21. professional learning (PL) a priority , investigate various avenues for PL

22. establish online community for online teachers

23. forum for online teachers in SW Manitoba (possible role for BU CARES)Support

25. teachers should start slowly and add features as comfort level increases

27. online teachers continue to have a period of time each day to answer queries, and to update course information in a synchronous fashion, where feasible

28. online instructors implement the degree of flexibility and pacing that works best for their own teaching styles.

29. teachers make every effort to address higher order thinking skills in their courses and take advantage of the features of digital technology. Balanced assessment strategies should be used to match provincial assessment strategies

30. online teachers provide timely and meaningful (descriptive, quality) feedback to students

32. Final Comments It is evident that implementation of online solutions in southwestern Manitoba is in its infancy, since much discussion in both the interviews and focus group centered on issues such as technology and support (important to be sure) and less on pedagogy. As clear policy is developed to deal with these types of issues, steps to improve online pedagogy can be addressed. The recommendations made in this report will, hopefully, be a starting point for the development of sound policy regarding online learning opportunities. Much research remains to be undertaken, especially at the secondary level, in order to ensure the successful implementation of online learning.

33. Thank you! nantaism@brandonu.ca gawletz@brandonu.ca