3.3 Online & Blended Learning
Candidates develop, model, and facilitate the use of online and blended learning, digital content, and learning networks to support and extend student learning and expand opportunities and choices for professional learning for teachers and administrators. (PSC 3.3/ISTE 3c)
Artifact: Kell Social Studies EverFi Training
Reflection:
The artifact “Kell Social Studies EverFi Training” was created in ITEC 7460 Professional Learning and Technology Innovation. This artifact was created to facilitate a thirty minute technology training for the Kell Social Studies department on EverFi, an online suite of courses that are available to schools at no charge. I created the website completely on my own, but I relied upon the inclusion of some elements from the EverFi site. While preparing for this technology training, I set up a number of training courses on my own EverFi dashboard so that teachers could experience the site from a student’s perspective during the training.
The element of Online and Blended Learning under the Standard of Digital Learning Environments was mastered with this artifact in several different ways. When creating this artifact, I developed, modeled, and facilitated the use of online and blended learning. The artifact was created using Weebly and does facilitate the use of online and blended learning in the classroom. EverFi is a wonderful resource that enables students to work at their own pace through a number of modules and allows them to repeat quizzes if need be. Digital content is inherent in this artifact. EverFi is wholly housed online and is a learning network that allows for the support and expansion of student learning. Given EverFi’s free content and training, opportunities abound for professional learning and use of EverFi by teachers in the classroom.
While completing this artifact, I learned a great deal about online and blended learning as well as designing and implementing professional development opportunities. Online and blended learning is definitely the wave of the future, and in my experience, students react well to an online environment that incorporates their passion for online games. EverFi is such a program, and students have really enjoyed working on the Financial Literacy course during the two semesters I have utilized it in Economics. In terms of professional development opportunities, I found that I was very cognizant of keeping the session moving and allowing plenty of time for teachers to explore EverFi on their own. Teachers were excited about having something interactive to do, and several have expressed interest in utilizing some of the EverFi courses this coming school year. If I could change anything about this artifact, I would have lengthened the time I had to conduct this training session. I did feel as though I was rushed for time to explain the benefits of EverFi and for teachers to play with the site, but I think that the teachers appreciated how short the training was.
The work that went into creating this artifact will impact school improvement, faculty development, and student learning. Student learning is increasing based upon increasing scores on the financial literacy domain on the EOCT through the EverFi course. Students are excited about the course, and many did not limit their use of the course to the school day. Faculty development was impacted through the Social Studies teachers experiencing the professional development. Several teachers have expressed interest in utilizing EverFi in their classes, and I will move to support that in August. School improvement is impacted by the increase in Economics EOCT scores. Additionally, students are more engaged and excited about Economics!
The artifact “Kell Social Studies EverFi Training” was created in ITEC 7460 Professional Learning and Technology Innovation. This artifact was created to facilitate a thirty minute technology training for the Kell Social Studies department on EverFi, an online suite of courses that are available to schools at no charge. I created the website completely on my own, but I relied upon the inclusion of some elements from the EverFi site. While preparing for this technology training, I set up a number of training courses on my own EverFi dashboard so that teachers could experience the site from a student’s perspective during the training.
The element of Online and Blended Learning under the Standard of Digital Learning Environments was mastered with this artifact in several different ways. When creating this artifact, I developed, modeled, and facilitated the use of online and blended learning. The artifact was created using Weebly and does facilitate the use of online and blended learning in the classroom. EverFi is a wonderful resource that enables students to work at their own pace through a number of modules and allows them to repeat quizzes if need be. Digital content is inherent in this artifact. EverFi is wholly housed online and is a learning network that allows for the support and expansion of student learning. Given EverFi’s free content and training, opportunities abound for professional learning and use of EverFi by teachers in the classroom.
While completing this artifact, I learned a great deal about online and blended learning as well as designing and implementing professional development opportunities. Online and blended learning is definitely the wave of the future, and in my experience, students react well to an online environment that incorporates their passion for online games. EverFi is such a program, and students have really enjoyed working on the Financial Literacy course during the two semesters I have utilized it in Economics. In terms of professional development opportunities, I found that I was very cognizant of keeping the session moving and allowing plenty of time for teachers to explore EverFi on their own. Teachers were excited about having something interactive to do, and several have expressed interest in utilizing some of the EverFi courses this coming school year. If I could change anything about this artifact, I would have lengthened the time I had to conduct this training session. I did feel as though I was rushed for time to explain the benefits of EverFi and for teachers to play with the site, but I think that the teachers appreciated how short the training was.
The work that went into creating this artifact will impact school improvement, faculty development, and student learning. Student learning is increasing based upon increasing scores on the financial literacy domain on the EOCT through the EverFi course. Students are excited about the course, and many did not limit their use of the course to the school day. Faculty development was impacted through the Social Studies teachers experiencing the professional development. Several teachers have expressed interest in utilizing EverFi in their classes, and I will move to support that in August. School improvement is impacted by the increase in Economics EOCT scores. Additionally, students are more engaged and excited about Economics!