Distance/Online Learning

The use of technology in all aspects of life is growing at a rapid pace, and the use of technology in education is  no exception.  Schools all across the world are implementing the use of technology to offer distance/online learning opportunities for their students.  This means that online courses are not just available for students at the university levels, but now early in student's educational journey starting in high school and sometimes even earlier.  According to the Michigan Department of Education the definition of online based learning is "a structured learning activity that utilizes technology with intranet/internet-based tools and resources as the delivery method for instruction, research, assessment, and communication."  There are three different formats that distance/online learning usually reflect:

• Teacher-led: This form on online learning has the most teacher involvement.  This type of learning reflects a traditional classroom, except everything takes place online: lectures, test/quizzes, and homework assignments/deadlines. This type of learning is heavily dependent on the use of the internet considering there is very rare face-to-face interaction, thus the importance of reliable and strong internet connection is essential. 
• Blended-instruction: As indicated by the name of this type of instruction is a mix of traditional face-to-face meetings and online gatherings.  This is reflective of a hybrid course.  The need for internet connection isn't as essential as in the teacher-led because there are face-to-face meetings. This form can also be considered "teacher-facilitated" learning where teachers work with a small group of students in a "coaching" way to ensure success in the classroom. 
• Self-Paced: Again suggested by the name, this type of learning doesn't involve any teacher assistance.  In this case students are solely responsible for their learning, growth, and success in the course.  This is great for students who are self-motivated and require little to no assistance from outside sources.    

As with any discussion there are two sides to the coin about distance/online learning.  The pros that many educators argue for distance/online learning are: online courses allow students to take courses that are not otherwise taught in a particular school.  Students will be better prepared as they enter higher levels of education where it is their responsibility to pace themselves, and responsible in finding additional research outside of the classroom.  It also provides a small "loop hole" for students who are unable to attend school for various reasons to stay on track with their classmates, and not get left behind because they are unable to show up to the face-to-face meetings.

On the other hand the cons that educators see in distance and online learning are as follows: the biggest and most obvious downfall to distance/online learning is the fact that all students do not have equal access to the internet or computers.  Learning is considered a social task, thus without face-to-face meetings students are unable to collaborate with the teacher, and their peers to generate new ideas or a deeper understanding about the material at hand.  Another downfall to distance and online learning is the fact that the responsibilities of staying motivated, and making sure all work is done and handed in on time falls all on the student's shoulders, and for some students this task is too much for them to handle and they will buckle under the pressure, thus the goal of distance/online learning is null.

While there will always be people who do or don't support the idea of technology in the class room, this offers a new and differentiated way for students to learn, thus maximizing the success of students in their educational journeys.  

Additional Links:  

• http://www.dso.iastate.edu/asc/academic/elearner/advantage.html - This website offers advantages and disadvantages to online learning that one is able to look at and weigh them against each other in order to determine their stance on distance/online learning.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LO9A_M4iNo - This YouTube video offers the perspective of a student about online learning.  It offers the idea of online learning analogous to a single track train.  
• https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=80 - This website provides the demographics of distance/online learning giving the "fast facts" about the numbers behind the growing trend. 

Blogs Uploaded on Feedly

Attached is a picture of the ten blogs, hat I had previously found, uploaded on feedly.

How to Use Blogs Within the Classroom

Technology can enhance the learning that takes place in classrooms, rather than just replacing paper and pencil assignments. I think that teachers can take advantage of using blogs within the classroom by starting and keeping a weekly blog with their colleagues.  With in the blog teachers would be able to blog about highs and lows of the week, while interacting with their peers as to strategies that did and didn't work.  This goes above and beyond just a paper and pencil diary or journal because teachers would be able to interact with each other and collaborate with teachers in other schools.  The blog could be used as a collaborative tool to team up with an other school district, and the teachers could interact with each other sharing ideas, activities, and stories with each other. 

Another way that blogs could be used within the classroom for the students is to have pen pals with students around the world.  Our classroom students could team up with another school and email back and forth with their students from around the world.  This would enhance the students learning by learning how to email, practice their literacy skills, and learn about a different part of the world, quickly.  This is how pen pals by blogs would enhance and not just replace because with paper and pencil and snail mail isn't always reliable, thus with email and blog you can ensure that your pen pal received and read your post. 

Educational Blogs

1. http://www.coolcatteacher.com/ - Viki Davis is currently a teacher and IT director in Georgia, she has authored educational books, and won "Best Talk Show Host in Education" for Every Classroom Matters.  In Davis' blog she offers insights of educational news, technology tips, inspiration, and accounts of her own experience in the classroom.

2. http://whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com - What the Teacher Wants is a blog that offers information about the Common Core, as well as freebees for teachers and a place where teachers can purchase activities found on the blog.  The blog has been up and running for over five years, and is authored by two current teachers.

3.  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/flipped-classroom-best-practices-andrew-miller - Andrew Miller is an online educator, and education consultant.  He blogs about education reforms in his posts, writing and blogging about the best practical strategies for teachers to implement in their classrooms.

4. http://www.3rdgradethoughts.com/ - 3rd grade thoughts is authored by Stephanie who is a young third grade teacher, who offers new and fresh ideas and activities for third grade, but that can be adapted to other grade and ability levels.  Stephanie has a passion for teaching math and literacy, thus she often blogs about these topics.

5. http://www.teachingwithsimplicity.com/ - The posts on this blog offer ideas of how to work smarter and not harder.  The author of this blog is also a current teacher, and she offers ideas of how to simplify challenges that arise often within the classroom.

6. http://learningismessy.com/blog/ - Brian Crosby is a teacher of children with special needs, and at risk students.  Crosby blogs about his experiences with students who are at risk, and how he personally differentiated his instruction in order to personalize his teaching to his students.

7. http://www.theorganizedclassroomblog.com/index.php/home - This class room blog is intended for teachers to learn about creating an efficient classroom, especially for first year, and beginning teachers.  The blog was created to help teachers be less stressful when organizing their classroom.

8. https://educationaladvancement.wordpress.com/ - This blog is apart of a larger website, but the blog itself offers tips, and information for teachers and parents of gifted students.  The website offers blog posts about the latest news in teaching gifted students.

9. http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/ - ELEARNSPACE is a blog that is dedicated to technology.  The blog posts incorporate information about technology, networking, and educational philosophies. 

10. http://www.eduwonk.com/ - This blog is sponsored by Bethwether Education Partners, and is a blog that posts about the policies and politics of education.  Andrew J. Rotherham is the primary author of the blog also writes for Time Magazine.  

Soical Media Resources

Twitter:
1. @DanBrownTeacher - Dan Brown is the director of the Future Educators Association and often tweets words of advice and insight into the teaching field, in order to keep individuals in the field of teaching motivated.

2. @tomwhitby - Tom Whitby is the founder of Edchat, and his twitter feed is filled with tweets about critiques of the education world, as well as teaching philosophies of his own and others, Whitby shares links to his writings and others about education.

3. @NMHS_Principal - Eric Sheninger is a principal at a middle school in New Jersey who tweets about the administrative side of education, Sheninger often shares news about the latest trends in teaching as well as learning.

4. @teachingwithsoul - Lisa Dabbs is an active twitter participant and often tweets to offer support to new and beginning teachers, Dabbs offers inspiration and ideas for new and upcoming teachers.

5. @mbtech - Mary Beth Hertz is a technology specialist in Philadelphia, she tweets about her day-to-day life in education, and her experiences with using technology in the classroom.  Hertz provides resources for future or current teachers to use within their classroom.

6. @dancallahan - Dan Callahan is a special education teacher who frequently tweets about upcoming programs and conferences to learn and keep up on the latest trends in special education.  Callahan shares links to articles related to educational topics.

7. @akbusybee - Andrea Keller is also a special education teacher who primarily teaches children on the autism spectrum.  Keller often engages with her followers creating dialog between them, answering questions and giving insight on how she teaches, how she differentiates her instruction, and how she keeps her students engaged.

8. @Shaza33 - Sharyn Skrtic is a teacher in Hong Kong who tweets about her classroom environment over seas, and how she uses differentiated instruction in her classroom, and techniques she uses within the classroom.

9. @kimsten - Kim Stenhouse is a special education teacher in Canada, who tweets often and frequently about controversial topics in the education world. She offers her insights on how to be successful within the classroom, and her idea how how to reform education in a positive way.

10. @Inclusive_Class - Nicole Eredics tweets information, tips, and solutions on including students with special needs into the general education classroom.

11. @MrMatthewRay - Matt Ray is a special education teacher in New York, he tweets links that are take you to "The Matt Ray Daily" where he has created his own online newspaper with articles that are linked to education in various aspects.

12. @teachntech00 - Patrick Black, the creator of this twitter account is a special education teacher in Illinois who tweets about how to integrate technology into the classroom, as well as links to articles about reforming education.

13. @drmichaelhart - Dr. Hart is a expert in learning disabilities and through his twitter he gives ideas on how to support different learners with in the classroom, and maximize the students learning.

14. @DrSelz - Dr. Selznick is a child psychologist who has developed a curriculum in order to assist children with learning disabilities, he often tweets on ways to help struggling learners.

15. @Kevin_Healey - Kevin Healey is a leading figure in autism awareness.  Healey tweets about the issues of autism and how he thinks they can be resolved.

16. @justintarte - Justin Tarte is an office administrator at a school in St. Louis, Missouri.  Tarte often tweets inspirational education quotes, and how we can make a positive impact on our students in a variety of ways.

Pinterest: 
17. https://www.pinterest.com/teachers/classroom-management/ - This pinterest board provides ideas and "pins" that help teachers with classroom management, and how to make their management more effective.

Instagram: 
18. Apples and ABC's - This Instagram account is run by a Kindergarten teacher who shares pictures of what her students do in the classroom.  She posts pictures of fun crafts to do with the students as well as teaching techniques and ideas to be used within the classroom

19. NEA Today - NEA Today posts pictures that encourage teachers to cover different topics in education, most of the pictures are real teachers holding signs that show their philosophy of teaching.  It is a Instagram account that is meant to inspire future and current teachers.

20. Teaching Special Thinkers - An account that is produced by a special education teacher interacting with children on the autism spectrum.  The creator of this account, Mrs. Dixon, posts pictures of activities that her students complete in class, as well as inspirational posters and quotes.

Educational Organizations

The first educational organization that is known nationally and at the state level is Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).  The Council for Exceptional Children has chapters at the national, state, and collegiate levels.  I am currently a member at the state and collegiate level through Grand Valley.  Being a part of the Grand Valley chapter of Council for Exceptional Children means that I am a part of the largest college chapter in the United States.  Since I became a member of Council for Exceptional Children state of Michigan chapter through Grand Valley the Membership fee was ten dollars for the basic package, where as the fee is normally sixty-five dollars. There are three different types of membership packages that one can sign up for.  The premier package is the most expensive with a fee of two hundred dollars.  The premier package includes free attendance to two webinars, a book from the website library, current news letters, and more.  The second most expensive package is the full package with a membership fee of one hundred and fifteen dollars.  The full package includes the benefits of the basic package, along with access to a recorded webinar, as well as access to online versions of research articles through Council for Exceptional Children.  The final package that is offered is the basic package which carries a membership fee of sixty-five dollars.  With the basic package you have access to news letters and emails to keep educators updated.  Council for Exceptional Children have many conferences through out the year.  There is a state conference at the end of March, that is full of keynote speakers, and pull out conferences that inform educators on the latest trends in Special Education.  The Council for Exceptional Children is an organization that keeps special education teachers informed on the latest information in the special education world.  For further information on the Council for Exceptional Children please click here to visit their website https://www.cec.sped.org/.  You can also find more information about Council for Exceptional Children by clicking on their Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/MnsuCEC.

The second educational organization is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Similar to Council for Exceptional Children, NAEYC has three levels of membership.  There are two levels that offer the same similar benefits, student membership level and regular membership level that allows access to discounts on educational videos and merchandise, five publications of NAEYC's magazines, online access to members only area of their website, access to online publications of their membership magazines, and more.  The Comprehensive package includes all the benefits of the regular and student packages along with the added benefit of receiving six books via the mail through NAEYC's organization. The fees for each package vary depending on the state in which you live.  The fees for Michigan are one hundred and ten dollars for the comprehensive package, sixty-six dollars for the regular package, and forty-five dollars for the student package.  One question I have about this organization is upon further research the regular and student packages offer the same benefits, yet are set at different membership fees.  The national conference for NAEYC is a five day conference that takes place in Louisiana during June.  For further information on the National Association for the Education of Young Children please visit their website at http://www.naeyc.org/institute/  or their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Association-for-the-Education-of-Young-Children/115525295125240?fref=ts. 

About Me

Welcome to my blog! My name is Kaitlyn Stermer, Kaitie for short.  I am currently enrolled at Grand Valley State University, and have been accepted into Grand Valley's College of Education.  I will be embarking on my teaching journey beginning in the Fall at White Pines Intermediate School in Grand Haven Michigan, in a cognitive impairment room, and XXI classroom.  I am seeking my special education teaching degree.  When I am not attending Grand Valley, I reside in small town U.S.A, Lawton Michigan.  I have grown up on a one hundred acre farm, and participated in 4-H for eight years.  During those eight years I showed dairy feeder calves, and full size steers at my county fair.  I am a huge Detroit Tigers, and Lions fan.  The Detroit Tigers, are very important to me, but recently my family has gained a new member who is very dear to my heart.  Marley is an eight week old chocolate lab. 

Marley-Eight week old chocolate lab

I have had the opportunity to volunteer and work with children in a variety of situations.  I have tutored second grade students at Allendale Public Schools, taught a fifth grade lesson at Jenison Public Schools, worked a daycare in my hometown, and taught summer school for third graders at Sam Adams Elementary in Cassopolis Michigan.  These experiences with children have exposed me to a variety of uses of technology in the classroom.  Each individual experience I have witnessed smart boards being implemented into the classroom, electronic testing, iPads, and blogs.  As mentioned in class on the first day I don't believe that every use of technology was an enhancement but sometimes simply just a replacement.  When I become a teacher, and have control of my personal classroom, I plan on using technology as an enhancement in my classroom.  In this day of age, I don't think that we as educators can physically avoid technology in our classroom.  It is imperative that our children are exposed to technology, that not only replaces their current learning but as I have said before, enhances it.