Enhancing quality in K-12 online

learning: Course reviewing through a

project-based partnership

Jason Huett, Kim Huett, Steve Thompson, Aaryn Schmuhl, Justin Castile, and Sharon Synan

Virtual School Symposium 2010

Who We Are

University of West Georgia Jason Huett

Kim Huett

Henry County SchoolsSteve Thompson

Aaryn Schmuhl

Justin Castile

Georgia Department of EducationSharon Synan

Jason

1.Need for Project

2. Project Design

3. Outcomes from “Round 1”

4. Future Iterations

5. Questions & Discussion

Presentation Structure

Wiki Overlayvss2010.wikispaces.com

Kim

Preparing Teachers for the Future

Authentic Learning Experiences

Course Feedback to LEA Teacher Designers & Administrators

Improving Courses Along with Student Experiences and Student Outcomes

1. Need for Project

Jason, Steve, Aaryn, Justin

A. Management

B. Courses Reviewed

C. Participants

D. Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4

E. Wiki as Collaboration Space

2. Project Design

Kim

33 graduate students reviewed 9 online courses.

2.A Management

1 professor (university)

1 project manager (university)

1 blended middle school principal (LEA)

1 online academy director (LEA)

1 technology support specialist (LEA)

Kim

2.B Courses Reviewed

Luella Middle School Henry County Online Academy

6th Science (3)

6th Math (3)

6th Agriculture Science (3)

7th Language Arts (3)

8th Social Studies (3)

English 4 (4)

US History (3)

English 1, Team A* (3)

English 1, Team B* (3)

World History, Team A* (4)

World History, Team B* (4)

Reviewed 1 semester of each course.

Number in parentheses = number of graduate student reviewers on team.Kim

2.C Participants

12 teachers ( teaching 9 courses)

33 graduate student reviewers

Aaryn, Steve, Jason

2.D.1 Project Phases

Phase 1 – individual reviewing Graduate student reviewers review

course using 2 instruments: Content Alignment Document to determine to

what extent course addressed Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)

National Standards of Quality for Online Courses (modified)

They post reviews to group wiki page.

Kim

Sample instruments posted to VSS Wiki Overlay.

2.D.1.a GPS Content Alignment Instrument

MSAGED6-2: Students will express an understanding of the history of American agriculture.

a) Specify and explain the role of agriculture in the formation of the US.

Kim

For each standard and element (criterion)…

…reviewers would indicate whether the course covered the standard, and if at the appropriate level of Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy.

“Understand” Level

2.D.1.b National Standards of Quality for Online Learning

Kim

Standard (# criteria) Example Criterion from Standard

Content (12) A4. The course content and assignments are of sufficient rigor, depth, and breadth to teach the standards being addressed.

Instructional Design (16)

B2. The course is organized into units and lessons.

Student Assessment (7) C3. Ongoing and frequent assessments are conducted to verify each student’s readiness for the next lesson.

Technology (7) D7. The course utilizes appropriate content-specific tools and software.

21st Century Skills (1) F1. The course intentionally emphasizes 21st century skills in the course….

Instrument uses a scale from 0 (absent) to 4 (no improvement needed).

2.D.2 Project Phases

Phase 2 – social processing

Reviewers study groupmates’ Phase 1 feedback on same course.

Reviewers discuss findings with group.

Reviewers adjust individual Phase 1 documents on wiki, as needed.

Kim

2.D.3 Project Phases

Phase 3 – synthesizing & presenting

Reviewers analyze their Phase 2 discussions and identify themes related to these four areas: Content Instructional Design Student Assessment Technology & 21st Century Skills

Reviewers create an online audiovisual presentation to share synthesis with client (using VoiceThread).

Kim

2.D.4 Project Phases

Phase 4 – reflection Reviewers view final presentations of

all other groups (in same semester);

Reviewers identify themes across all course reviews and reflect on value of project as well as recommend adjustments.

Kim

2.E Wiki as Collaboration Space

Rationale for Using Wiki Online Review Project Wiki

Jason, Kim

Preparing Teachers for the Future

Authentic Learning Experiences

Course Feedback to LEA Teacher Designers & Administrators

Improving Courses Along with Student Experiences and Student Outcomes

3.A.1 Outcomes, Round 1

Jason, Steve, Aaryn, Justin

This course may be the most important course I take at W. GA…

This class is the best one I have taken in this program. I got real life experience that I can put on a resume…

I hope to teach online classes in the future, and this course has well prepared me for that.

This course has given me a stronger focus to be a change agent in my school system and to support distance education…

3.A.2 Grad Student Feedback

Jason, Steve, Aaryn, Justin

The course content was designed with a clear purpose to teach the skills necessary to perform the authentic ending project.

I feel like I am better prepared and more knowledgeable in the field of distance education after taking this course.

This course was fantastic. I was able to garner real world experience working with Henry County…I have a clearer understanding of what it takes to build and teach online.

This course has been nothing less than fantastic… reviewing the Henry County online courses gives excellent hands-on approaches to distance learning.

The Henry County project was the best learning experience out of everything I have done during my graduate work.

It was invaluable going through the process and then being allowed to put that knowledge and understanding to real world tasks.

Jason

This course has challenged me, prepared me, and… I feel equipped to go back in my individual community and make a difference.

Reviewing the Henry County classes also gave me real world experience…I am very excited about the future of online learning and am looking forward to more opportunities to explore this.

I cannot say enough good things about the course work! I have learned A TON this semester about distance education and participated in the most thought-provoking project - a true review of online courses. All I can say is WOW!

My confidence has risen dramatically. If I applied for a job, I would feel confident in what I know about online teaching….

I feel empowered.

Excellent! Superb! Exciting! Challenging! Thought provoking!Jason

3.B Ongoing Research

Research & Data Analysis

Descriptive Analysis of National Standards Instrument

Qualitative Coding of VoiceThread Audio and Textual Data

Qualitative Coding of Post-surveys

Jason

4. Future Iterations

Course review to continue

Less emphasis on state standards, more on design

Reviewer video walk-throughs

Bite-sized professional development

Stronger ties between graduate student reviewers and teacher designers

Jason et al.

5. Questions & Discussion

All

Thank you!Jason Huett – jhuett@westga.edu

Kim Huett – khuett@westga.edu

Steve Thompson – sthompson@henry.k12.ga.us

Aaryn Schmuhl – aschmuhl@henry.k12.ga.us

Justin Castile – justin.castile@henry.k12.ga.us

Sharon Synan – ssynan@doe.k12.ga.us