Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

Introduction to Online Learning

Shannon D. Foster EdTech 523 Advanced Online Teaching Dr. Teresa Dove Spring 2014

Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

Table of Contents
Project Plan Proposal .................................................................................................................. 3 1. 2. What do you plan to do? ................................................................................................... 3 What applications or tools will you use? ............................................................................ 3 Applications:........................................................................................................................ 3 (given or similar) ................................................................................................................. 3 Tools: .................................................................................................................................. 3 3. What are your goals and intended outcomes for the project? .............................................. 4 Goals ................................................................................................................................... 4 Outcomes ............................................................................................................................. 4 4. 5. Include group members if applicable and their assigned roles in the project........................ 5 Timeline:.......................................................................................................................... 5 Preplanning Tasks ............................................................................................................... 5 Design Tasks ........................................................................................................................ 6 Development Tasks .............................................................................................................. 6 Evaluate Project (summative evaluation) .............................................................................. 6 Implementation (after EdTech 523 is over) ........................................................................... 6 Project Components .................................................................................................................... 7 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Community Building: ........................................................................................................ 7 Collaboration: .................................................................................................................. 7 Multimedia Development: ................................................................................................. 7 Evaluation: ....................................................................................................................... 7 Collection of Resources: ................................................................................................ 7 Synchronous Meeting: ................................................................................................... 8

Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

Project Plan Proposal

1. What do you plan to do?
I plan to create a blended course for middle and high school students that will prepare them for learning in an online environment. Public school students in Montana in middle through high school have access to courses from the Montana Digital Academy (MTDA) for either credit recover or original credit. However, these students are unfamiliar with online learning and many have difficulties adjusting the online learning environment. With help from the local schools superintendent/principal, Mr. F., counselor, Mrs. G., the school technology specialist, Mr. H., and with information gathered from MTDA, I plan to develop an introductory course, Introduction to Online Learning that will better prepare students for learning in an online environment. The course will be designed for completion in a 9-week quarter, forty 45-minute class periods, or 30 hours total. It is divided into three segments: 1.) begin as a face-to-face course, 2.) move into a blended learning environment, and 3.) culminate as a fully online course. The course will cover: organization, time management, participation expectations, netiquette, communication and presentation, course navigation, and reflection.

2. What applications or tools will you use?

I plan to use a variety of applications and tools. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Applications: (given or similar)

Writing Microsoft Word WordPress Google apps Audio/Visual: Eyejot YouTube Video conferencing program (? which one at the moment,

Tools:
Laptops, PCs, or tablets Projector SmartBoard Network connections Internet Email Discussion board Digital cameras or webcams

Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

maybe Skype) Xtranormal (or similar application) Presentational: Microsoft PowerPoint / Adobe Connect Prezi Self-publishing program Moodle or other LMS (to be determined soon)

3. What are your goals and intended outcomes for the project? Goals
Students will be prepared to enter the online learning environment with the needed skills to organize course materials, manage learning time, communicate effectively in a variety of methods, and create and submit satisfactory course assignments. Students will be aware of expectations found in an online learning environment and adjust study habits accordingly.

Outcomes
- Students will organize their work environment, online and offline, in order to efficiently and effectively navigate course materials in accordance with course requirements. - Students will keep a time management log and schedule/calendar for accountability in meeting course expectations. - Students will communicate and create assignments and presentations using a variety of online applications and tools that demonstrate their ability to thrive in an online learning environment. - Students will create a learning log to display assignments, reflections, and assessments. - Students will develop netiquette and digital citizenship guidelines to apply appropriate behaviors in the online learning environment. - Students will submit written reflections regarding their learning in an online learning process.

Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

4. Include group members if applicable and their assigned roles in the project.
Mr. F - superintendent/principal - review course development, work with Mrs. G. on scheduling classroom and technology lab use, evaluate developing course and how it connects with school vision and technology standards Mrs. G. - school counselor - assist in gathering needed data, brainstorm applicable skills, schedule sufficient classroom and technology lab time, distribute and maintain an acceptable use policy for students participating in online learning activities. Mr. H. - school technology specialist - maintain equipment, advise students and staff in the use of equipment and network, brainstorm applicable skills. Additional focus group members: (added 3/29/2014) Mrs. A Computer Science instructor review course development and how the course aligns with the technology goals of the school. Mr. P Instructor - review course development and give feedback on the appropriateness of the activities for middle and high school teachers.

5. Timeline: What are your anticipated milestones and deliverables? Provide a detailed timeline indicating what you plan to do and when you plan to do it.
Course development will take approximately three and a half months. Course duration: 1 quarter = 9 weeks Weekly commitment: 5 days x 45 minutes = 225 minutes = 3.75 hours Implementation will begin in the Fall of 2014 at HPS. Begin project January 2014

Preplanning Tasks
Identify team and tasks Identify goals and outcomes Identify tools and applications Create timeline Approve project proposal February 2014 February 2014 February 2014 February 2014 February 2014

Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

Design Tasks
Write objectives and create focus groups Write assessment items Plan instructional and motivational strategies Identify media Review and edit design (formative evaluations)

March 2014 March 2014 March 2014 March 2014 March 2014 March 2014

Development Tasks
Develop storyboards and website Write units, sections, and lessons Convert unit, sections, and lessons to WBI Review and edit unit, sections, and lessons Integrate intended media Test website Review and edit course development (formative evaluations)

April 2014 April 2014 April 2014 April 2014 April 2014 April 2014 April 2014 April 2014

Evaluate Project (summative evaluation)

April 2014 May 2014

Implementation (after EdTech 523 is over)

Create class and lab schedule Equipment, software are ready for use Implement project Review and edit course May 2014 August 2014 August 2014 November 2014

Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

December 2014

Project Components
6. Community Building: How will you leverage social networks or other tools to build community and why is it important?
Students will meet as a face-to-face class initially and transition into blended activities and finally into completely online activities. Students will participate in online discussions based on current topic of materials.

7. Collaboration:
How will you incorporate collaborative activities into your final project design? Students will collaborate on projects and discussions.

8. Multimedia Development:
What multimedia will be included? How it will be developed? What principles of good design will you follow? Audio/visual recordings and presentational applications will be used to develop instructional materials, as well as by students for projects.

9. Evaluation:
How will you evaluate the quality of your completed project? Will it be based on research and best practice? Take a sneak peak at the Evaluation Plan requirements. Were students proactive rather than a reactive toward organizational skills, time management, and assignment expectations? Can students use all applications and tools efficiently and effectively? Were deadlines met consistently? Did students communicate with the instructor and their peers during discussions in a timely fashion and with appropriate netiquette? Did students utilize the Q & A forum to ask and solve problems?

10.

Collection of Resources:

Where will resources and other support material will be housed and how will they be used and made accessible? Resources and other support materials will be housed on the server at HMS. Resources and materials will be password protected. Students and staff participating in the course will receive the access password at the appropriate time.

Running head: Introduction to Online Learning

11.

Synchronous Meeting:

How will you incorporate interactive live meetings into your project? In weeks one through three, students will meet daily at a scheduled time face-to-face in the classroom. In weeks four through nine, students will meet synchronously online at a scheduled times for instruction, discussion, question and answer time, and peer interaction.