FCPS and Online Learning
I have learned that online learning is different for everyone. For those who are self-disciplined and enjoy doing work on a computer, it can be fulfilling. I have also learned that not all teachers are good at teaching online and using online tools. For some of us older teachers, I think this is especially true. Online learning offers choices for students whose schedules may require being someone else during the normal school day. It also offers choices for students to take a wider variety of classes should scheduling of specialty classes in the brick and mortar be an issue. For all FCPS teachers, there has been much time spent just learning the platforms for which we are to use to teach online. It has been time-consuming and frustrating for most. We then must adjust how we present and teach the curriculum. In addition, we have been required to complete hours upon hours of professional development courses online ourselves. With virtual learning now, it is important to be flexible and open to learning new ways of teaching. I would suggest that a teacher who is new to online learning and the tools, pick 3 or 4 things to get really good at and then focus on those. From personal experience, I have found myself going down rabbit holes of virtual learning ideas and tools and ended watching hours of YouTube tutorials only to find myself just as confused. I am amazed at what some people, who I consider tech savvy, can do with technology in the classroom.
FCPS Schools offer an abundance of courses online for students in grades 8-12 in every core class that a student may need to graduate. ( FCPS Online Campus )There are 57 courses to choose from directly through the county. Students may take up to 2 online courses per year for free. If they choose to take an 8th course in the year, it will cost $680. This fee is considerably less for students who qualify for free and reduced lunches. FCPS online courses are created by FCPS teachers and are not purchased through a vendor. All online teachers are accredited and employed by FCPS. Teachers meet synchronously with their students for 1 hour per week, and the students work on the subject matter and assignments for 5-6 hours asynchronously per week. Driver Education may be taken online but this is offered through the Virginia Driver Education and Traffic Safety group which is affiliated with the VDOE. If a student wishes to take Driver Education online, they must have special permission to do so from FCPS due to the slightly different nature of the course outline. The cost for this particular course is $109. Permission is usually only granted if a student is home-schooled or, is in home-bound instruction for medical reasons.
Thankfully for me, I have been learning many new ways to make curriculum interesting using a blended learning approach. I have the tools to reach my students virtually using two different platforms, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and Google Classrooms and Meet. Using Padlet MyPadletLink is just one example of how I intend to get my students to collaborate. I also think it will also be fun to get the kids to create their own bitmojis to use for a variety of assignments.
I believe my next biggest challenge will be to help my students navigate these online resources and virtual learning platforms so that they can feel comfortable in the virtual learning setting. We often think that young people are great at technology but in reality, most of them are not. They will have to learn the tools of the laptop and tools of the learning platform and I know there are some fun activities to help them do this. ( playing Pictionary using the white board feature on BBCU, f'or example.) This is an example of one of my first assignments Getting to Know You- Locker Activity
Finally, regarding Dennis Grices' article "A teacher's 7 Tips for Remote Learning During the Coronavirus" found in eSchool News Guides, he states as the first tip, "You must put on your own own oxygen mask before assisting others.", this really hit home for me. As teachers, our students look up to us and depend on us for so many things outside of just learning the curriculum. We are their mentors, and often their only source of positive feedback. We must be aware of our own needs and take care of them before we can help our students.
Through your reflection, you may have uncovered an issue that contributes to the stress in this crisis learning phase. "...here has been much time spent just learning the platforms. ...been required to complete hours upon hours of professional development courses online." The focus on platforms and tools has been necessary to get everyone on the same page and ensure there's a means to deliver content. What takes more time and practice is using the tools in the context of appropriate strategies and content. There was no time for teachers to be consulted or for them to buy into the best tools to align with their goals. It is what it is; We are in a crisis.
ReplyDeleteI love your last paragraph. The oxygen mask analogy is even more powerful with your connection to mentoring. It emphasizes the responsibility that teachers have to be leaders. One aspect of helping students though, must be to support their need to take on more responsibility for their learning...perhaps in the same way an adult would tell the child that once they have their own mask on, they are responsible for ensuring it stays on.
As you populate your Popplet, consider how your main themes can support the final project, the presentation, that will be completed in Module 5.