Asynchronous learning environments-Midterm

Being a FIT has been a learning experience. I am currently in the process of working on my master's project. So with being a student in my current IT class, I have had the ability to read articles that gives insight on how to keep your class involved in an online program in an asynchronouse environment. One of the articles focused on the graduate level student. Although that is an age difference from the students that I teach everyday, it has allowed me to see that the same rules apply. First, with the group that I am a FIT, they were very slow to respond and may not respond at all. As with high school students, I see that there HAS to be a requirement. I know that when you put requirements, students tend to do the bare minimum, but in some cases, its either that or nothing. I tell my students guidelines all the time. Whether its applying for 3 scholarships or 5, if I don't give them a number, they won't complete any. The one area that I would recommend to improve my FIT course is the participation level of the students. I think even though they may be graduate level students, they could still participate more. Some of the discussions are benefical for everyone. It requires you to think and respond. For example, one of the discussions that was presented was taking a high school course for credit. I think that everyone in the academic professions should have chimmed in on this discussion. Mainly because financial resources play a big part in the participation of this learning environment. Some students have computers at home, others don't. Some schools have effiecient computer labs, others don't. Some schools have teachers that have been trained to lead or facilitate computer based curriculums, others don't. So there are a varying amount of aspects to look at. With all this being said, we need to be more active in these discussions. We need to be more active in these classes. Although I enjoy the concept of this class, I would like to see more participation. I would like to see responses that don't "ditto" what the next persons said. We need to have more instructional discourse. I guess that's enough for today...

Remember its just me talkin'

Are you fit to be a F.I.T.?

This is a question I have been asking myself. I am currently a F.I.T. instructor for a class. I have noticed that this is very much different from the classroom I run everyday. This class is asynchronous. And lets just say that I have my own opinions about that. I believe that this class can really be proven to beneficial for the person that is committed to learning in this type of environment. While dealing with my group, I had to introduce myself to the teacher and the teacher introduced me to my group members. I then introduced myself to my group members. I was quite excited about the topic they were presenting, virtual schools. I have a strong interest to want to learn more about this topic. I think once society breaks into this learning community, there will be so many more learning opportunities for our youth. (Let me get off my soap box). This is where things have gotten a little tricky for me. My group does not really communicate online like I think they should. The instructor can make more of the collaboration tools available to students. But in my reading and research regarding a learning environment like Blackboard, there are technical issues that may come into play. Also, instructors may only want to keep so many features available to help control and monitor the class. The class I am currently enrolled in with Dr. Zhang has been the first class that I feel like the work directly relates to what I want to do or information that I want to learn. The readings assigned is information that I can utilize and research that makes me want to learn more. I read a journal published by the British Journal of Educational Technology. This journal is the reason why I had to write this blog. The title of the journal is "How to structure online discussions for meaningful discourse: a case study". The group that I am 'f.i.t.ing' does not engage in discussion like I think they should. I think in order to have a asynchronous environment, there needs to be 'meaningful discourse'. Not the posting of materials and waiting for your time to be over. This is not an attack of the group members, but an encouragement for them. I would love to see the dialogue between them and the rest of the members from the class. I even post questions just to stimulate conversation. As I read this journal, there seems to be room for improvement. Researchers are still looking for ways to stimulate interaction and exchange of information. I enjoyed my readings this week and look forward to see the progress made in this learning environment.

Until next time....
Aisha

Remember its just me talking!!!!

Moving in a new direction

I know that most of you may know that I am a teacher. So although I am on the interactive track, some how another, I tend to do work relating to my job. My school is different than the set-up of most public schools. Our students learn through project work and learning goals. They also have input on what they learn as well. We have individualized learning. We are still adjusting our curriculum, but that is the basis of it. I say all that to say, this year, staff was requested to write their personal learning plans on something they would like to change or enhance within their classroom. Some example topics were increase ACT scores, increase student's reading levels, assessments, individualization of curriculum, reading and writing workshops, etc. Of course, my topic is way off base from my colleagues. I chose to increase college readiness with my 12th grade students. I chose this topic because I think that some of my students are not taking the college prep seriously. They think they are going to be in high school forever. I talk with my peers to assist me with this, but they tell me they are going through themselves. I have been working with our college counselor to help expose the kids to post-secondary institutions, conducted college learning team meetings, put up a scholarship board and gave work related to college prep as class work. Some students take it seriously, most don't. Because I love to see what other people are doing, I was directed to a website http://www.nclack.k12.or.us/secondaryeducation/sse/index.html . Although this is not a web-based program, the tools were great and it connect so well to our schools philosophy and curriculum. This also a great program for connecting the teacher, student and parents. It also gives assessments so that everyone can see the progress of the program. Above everything else, it is a way to require from my kids what a professor will be looking for this time next year.


Until next time,

Aisha

Remember....It’s just me talking to u!!!