Most instructional design theories can lend themselves to the development of online learning environments to a certain extent. The way in which these instructional design theories are applied is what makes the difference. The Introduction to AVID: Summer course would be a cross between a behaviorist learning theory and a constructivist learning theory. Four out of the six modules lean more toward the behaviorist side and the remaining 2 modules lean more toward the constructivist side. Typically the AVID curriculum lends itself more toward the constructivist side of spectrum, but the content of this course primarily focuses on helping the students get ready for the AVID elective. If the students can go into the AVID elective already knowing how to fill out certain forms, take certain notes, and follow certain strategies, then the time in class can be dedicated toward collaborating with peers, working on authentic projects, and developing the skills necessary to be college, career, and world ready. This 100% online bridge course will help make better use of the time spent in the AVID elective course, which in the future could be transitioned into a hybrid course.
The UbD plan guided the creation on this course by keeping the ultimate goals and learning expectations in mind every step of the way. It can be easy to get carried away with engaging online activities because they are appealing, but we must ask ourselves if it actually fits within the goals outlines in the UbD plan. Keeping the goals and learning expectations in mind allowed for more flexibility for the assignments, which now gives students more choices. If the students have the power to choose, they are more likely to take ownership of their learning.
Online learning is more than just transferring all materials from our courses to an online LMS and setting up online worksheets and tests. Simply sitting in front of a computer sifting through content does not classify as online learning. Online learning is important and relevant in today’s society because it gives us the means of better serving our very diverse population of learners. Bates states that it is important to note “the need for more flexible models of delivery to meet the needs of a more diverse student body in a digital age” (2015). Simply offering a course online is not enough, in order to really meet the needs of our learners, the instruction online must be personalized to the learner. One enduring understanding from these past few weeks is that everything does not have to be black and white when it comes to online learning. There is no rule that says courses must be 100% online or that blended courses have to be exactly 50/50. The spectrum is simply there to help you gain an understanding of what your needs may be depending on where you land. However, it all comes down to getting to know the learners and being able to discern what their needs are. More importantly, taking action toward meeting those needs. While developing this course and looking forward, I began to look into successful online programs that are currently available. There are many out there, but I was mostly intrigued by the three that will be briefly described below. These three programs peaked my interest because they either already affect me or I foresee them becoming a part of my classroom in the near future. Imagine Math My school uses this self-paced online program that focuses on math. My students are constantly working on this program, so I have become fairly familiar with it. It is great that it is self-paced and really tailors to the needs of the individual student. The video below highlights some of the great features Imagine Math has to offer and how it has been successful. I'm not sure why, but my students do not have access to the online teacher mentioned in the video. When they reach a point where they get stuck they typically go ask any teacher on campus for help or they YouTube a tutorial video. Summit Learning Three years ago Summit Learning came to my district and has rapidly been expanding to more schools every year. Due to another facility in our district already being called the Summit, it is referred to as the Connect Program. Connect is an online personalized learning program. The courses are self-paced and the teachers take on the role of an academic coach. The video below highlights some of the great benefits of this program as well as student and teacher testimonials. Everfi Everfi is an online program that offers several courses designed to help equip students with essential life skills. These courses are divided by modules consisting of lessons embedded with a variety of activities. The program is self-paced and goes over real-life scenarios that the students will be able to apply. Perhaps the best part about this program is that the courses that are offered go over topics that the students would typically cover in school. After browsing through the different courses offered and the topics discussed, I realized that the majority of them would be aligned to the AVID curriculum, which is great news! Sources: Baron, J. (2017, July 24). An Introduction to Imagine Math. Retrieved February 18, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR5hJ8NA8BU Bates, A.W. (2015) Teaching in a Digital Age: Guidelines for designing teaching and learning (Chapters 11-12). Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/ E. (2017, April 06). EVERFI Company Overview. Retrieved February 18, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCEdSvHpljE Help students gain the skills, knowledge and habits to succeed. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2018, from https://www.summitlearning.org/ Imagine Math | Supplemental Math for K-12. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2018, from https://www.imaginelearning.com/programs/math Osuba, A. (2018, February 12). Online K-12 Education - K-12 Critical Skills Courses. Retrieved February 18, 2018, from https://everfi.com/k-12/ P. (2015, November 05). The Connect Program. Retrieved February 18, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xnp0IrMdpI Pasadena Connect. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2018, from http://connect.pasadenaisd.org/
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