1. PBL in Cyberspace: Where Constructivism Meets Technology! Dr. Kerry Rice, Assistant Professor, Boise State University Barbara Frey, Founding Principle of Colorado Connections Academy
3. What is Online Learning? It IS… Learning that takes place partially or entirely over the Internet Inquiry-based Interactive Collaborative It is NOT… Print-based correspondence Broadcast TV and radio Satellite Videoconferencing (“yoked” or “hub & spoke”) Videocassettes Stand-alone computer software
16. The ability and motivation to take responsibilityfor one's own learning. Learner Autonomy Supported through: scaffolding and careful guidance learning aids modeling and prompting coaching strategies reflective thinking and problem solving
17. Learner Autonomy Learner Autonomy Project Based Learning Handbook (2nd Edition), The Buck Institute for Education.
18. Learner Autonomy Project Based Learning Handbook (2nd Edition), The Buck Institute for Education.
21. Learner Autonomy “As I read through the reading materials for this week I kept a bit of a journal in a Google Doc. In doing so I noticed a change in my thinking that came from thinking about learning communities with remembrances of classes where community was not present.”
22. Collaboration and Community Building Strong feelings of community have been shown to promote a greater sense of well-being among learners as well as increases in engagement, cooperation, commitment to group goals, information flow, and satisfaction in group interactions. Supported through: authentic projects and assessments role assignments teamwork peer review strategies to structure activities (consensus building, Tuning Protocol, Fishbowl Method)
26. Active Participation Interactions within the learning community as well as engagement with the content being studied. Supported through: Authentic, collaborative, inquiry-based projects negotiated learning outcomes active research in the field partnerships with the outside community
30. Instructional environments that promote a process rather than an end product necessitate the development of assessments that are progressive rather than summative. Authentic Assessment Supported through: instructor and peer feedback reflection dissemination to “real-world” audiences
40. Introducing Connections Academy Leading provider of K-12 virtual curriculum, technology, and school management services Founded by Sylvan® in 2001, first full-time virtual schools opened in 2002 Partners with school districts, state departments of education, and charter schools to operate virtual public schools and provide online courses Serving an estimated 25,000 K-12 students in 2009-10
41. Connections Academy Connections Academy was the first program of its kind to be certified by the Commission on International and Trans- Regional Accreditation School Specific Accreditations:
43. Constructing Knowledge in K-12 Online Problem based learning, student centered teaching, collaboration, small group work and authentic performance based assessments all contribute to student academic performance (Lowes, 2005). Online learning can broaden the experiences and background of the learner.
44. Learner Autonomy Virtual Learning Scaffolding Model Learner Autonomy Learner Autonomy Learner Autonomy Student-centered learning Engage the learner Construct active learning Supports learning through varied instructional tools and strategies
50. Map It Project Map It project was developed through a technology grant awarded to Connections Academy by the Denver Public Schools Information Literacy & Technology Department. Targets students in kindergarten through second grade Builds skills in math and geography using on-line and off-line instruction. Engages students in activities that connect what they do and see everyday with real world mathematical and geographical experiences. 46
51. Project OverviewBased on Learner Centered Principals and PBL Attributes Integration Math and geography-based children’s literature with hands-on related activities Cutting-edge technology tools. Real-time visual and verbal communication: teacher-to-students teacher to student student-to-student discussion in a small group setting. 47
52. Collaboration and Community Building Active Participation Project Overview LiveLesson®activities focus on the student’s immediate environment using functions such as: chat interactive whiteboard, voice over IP polling Word processing, presentation software, email and message boards 48
53. Off-Line Lessons 21st Century Skills After each asynchronous lesson students are asked to perform one of the following learning activities: complete a chart or study guide read a book write in their math journal in order to prepare for their next LiveLesson® Prepare for a discussion with the teacher and the other students in the group Post in the message board 49
54. On-Line LessonsEach synchronous lesson also builds on skills from the previous lesson Teacher Led Discussion Document Sharing Student Presentation Polling Chat 50
58. Message Board Responses Collaboration and Community Building Message Board : View Thread Message Boards > Colorado CA Schoolhouse > Teacher Message Boards: How Big is a Foot? 2/21/2006 5:57 PM Sandra Reply • Quote • Edit • 1. The guy that made it had small feet. The King had large feet. 2. Because they didn't measure with the King's feet.3. They used a mold of the King's foot.4. 12"5. A ruler. Alex 5/2/2006 3:01 PM Ryan Reply • Quote • Edit • 1. The apprentice's feet were too small.2. They didn't have a yardstick.3. They made a copy of the king's foot.4. It was about one foot. It was about a foot on the yardstick picture.5. They use a yardstick. Ryan 5/2/2006 3:05 PM Ethan Reply • Quote • Edit • 1. The apprentice's feet were smaller than the king's feet.2. They didn't have any standard units of measuring.3. When the apprentice realized that the king's feet were bigger than his, a sculptor got a marble copy of the king's foot for the apprentice to use.4. It was obviously a foot. That's where they got the standard unit of measure, the foot.5. They use units of measuring such as yards, inches, and feet. Ethan 53
Project wiki vs. public wikiWiki’s are a great tools for promoting learner autonomy. Student’s take control of their wiki, practice using the tool in a safe environment. Then they move on to a public wiki.
To support reflection students are required to submit a learning log after each major activity. Sometimes prompts are given, sometimes they are not.
As we explore research learners can post their findings on our citeulike or diigo site. Peer tutoring and feedback (students and teachers), student teachers, professional learning communities, community service
Add tools for younger children here – you might want to take the lead here.
Online Schools May not be what you think“an educational organization that offers K-12 courses through Internet-based methods, with time and/or distance separating the teacher and learner”Gregg VanourekSeptember 2006, Issue Brief
Provide experiences required to construct knowledgeBuild online communities fosters gains in learning.Emulate real world experiencesThe web-based learning environment requires a constructivist learning setting fora healthy learning environment to exist. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) position paper states that “used appropriately, technology can enhance children’s cognitive abilities”. The paper further states that when technology is used appropriately it “supports and extends” traditional materials. Engaging the student in the online learning experience facilitates metacognition. (Zucker 2005) Activities should include practice and performance skills. Using simulations, cooperative interactions, modeling, time to think and reflect help strengthen metacognitive skills.Clements (1999) maintains that "Technology can change the way children think, what they learn, and how they interact with peers and adults". He also recommends technology as a tool for improving children's learning through exploration, creative problem solving, and self-guided instruction (Clements & Samara, 2003). Hutinger and Johanson, supported by research by Clements (1999), point out that the enabling component of computers assists children in transforming concrete ideas into symbolic form.
