Beyond the Electronic Filing Cabinet

1. STAV/AIP VCE Physics Teachers’ Conference 2011 Beyond the Electronic Filing Cabinet - Delivering VCE Physics Online & Interactive Bruce Carpenter Virtual Learning Network (Physics) Bendigo Senior Secondary College

2. Our Brief • Proof of concept for DEECD • “can you teach VCE subjects entirely online” • Alleviate difficulties of remote schools • Explore online teaching & learning strategies • Utilise internet, multimedia, Web 2.0 • Use a ‘Blended Learning’ Model

3. Blended Learning Model “combining online delivery of educational content with the best features of classroom interaction and live instruction to personalise learning, allow thoughtful reflection and differentiate instruction from student to student across a diverserange of learners”

4. Why? • Shortage of Physics Teachers • Small classes • Aligns with student expectations • Short trials with Charlton P-12 School, Boort Sc, Donald HS, Wedderburn P-12 SC, St Arnaud SC • Trialled with BSSC Unit3-4 Physics Class

6. Online Course Features • Anytime, anywhere, 24/7 availability • Software independent (no special installations) • Must be instructional • Provide similar experience to classrooms

7. Funding • 2 x 0.6 allotments • Partly DEECD • Partly Multimedia Victoria Grant

8. There is a lot of material already available, however... • Not comprehensive for our course • Not always instructional • Curriculum focus is unsuitable • Static documents / text based

9. Research • Internet searches • Looking for courses not just activities • Extensive travel interstate and overseas

10. Visits to distance/online education providers in • Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania • ULearn Conference 2010, Christchurch New Zealand • Virtual Schools Symposium, Phoenix, Arizona (2010) • Idaho Digital Learning Academy, Boise Idaho • Riverside Virtual School, Los Angeles

11. BSSC Extranet...a Physics course or an electronic filing cabinet?

12. Vendors • Not useful • Many resources out there • Very few written for VCE curriculum • Bound up in yearly pay per student/school fees

13. Typical US Online Course • Assembled from a range of resources • Includes Vendor provided learning objects • Mainly text based • Works in the US (different culture) • Not so sure about Australia

14. Learning Management System (LMS) • Moodle

15. Moodle Features • Progress bar • Forum • Blog • Tracking student progress • Web 2.0 communication • If totally online, SKYPE, Elluminate, Ning

16. http://vln.bssc.edu.au

17. VLN Physics Course • Two years to produce Units 3&4 • Trialled with my BSSC Physics class • High Stakes

18. Instructional Videos • Teacher narration • Explanation of theory • Worked examples • Branching options • 50 of these!

19. Instructional Videos • An engaging introduction • Strategically placed animations, tables, graphs, fly-in text comments, diagrams, video clips.

20. Instructional Videos • A ‘screen casting’ approach • Rare • Involve all usual features of a good lesson • Multi-sensory (see, hear, do) • Virtual Pointing • “rough and unpolished” • Authentic or “real”

21. DEMONSTRATION • Instructional Video features • Semi notes • Virtual Prac Activity • Quizlet

22. DEMONSTRATION • Semi notes

23. DEMONSTRATION • See demonstration instructional video using instructions below; Website http://vln.bssc.edu.au username: physics.conference password: vlnguest

24. DEMONSTRATION • Virtual Prac Activity • PhETSimulations • Download the projectile motion simulation.

25. DEMONSTRATION • Quizlet

26. Online Lessons • Tests • Answers to set questions

27. Advantages over traditional class • Fast kids go faster • Can then do harder or extension questions • Slower kids can rewind and catch up • Illness, sport, camps not such a problem • Can integrate prac work continuously • VCE results at least as good as traditional class.

28. Advantages over traditional class • Can help to train student teachers • Benefits of years of teaching experience

29. How do we Make the Resources? • Notebook Software • Adobe Captivate Software • Screen capture with eLearning tools • Storyboard in Notebook or PowerPoint • Narrate each slide • Embellish with emphasis

30. Slides created using Notebook Software

31. Slides are imported into Adobe Captivate

32. Each slide is narrated

33. How do students Like it? • Better student engagement • Clear improvement over previous years • Other teachers notice the improvement • No training needed • No resistance

34. Teacher Impact • Teacher role changes fundamentally • Class time available for directly addressing student concerns. • You will know your students better

35. Response • Overwhelmingly positive so far • We recognise it is not for everyone • It has worked for us • Low dropout rate • Results as good as expected if not better

38. The Future • National Physics Curriculum • Revision Lectures • Incorporate vendor material such as yTeach (Ultranet) • Make available through Ultranet

39. Other VLN online Courses • Maths Methods Units 3&4 • Psychology Units 1&2

40. This Year • Physics Units 1&2 • Maths Methods Unit 1&2 • Specialist Maths Units 3&4 • Psychology Units 3&4

41. Thanks for listening!

42. Bruce CarpenterVirtual Learning Network – PhysicsBendigo Senior Secondary Collegecarpenter.bruce@bssc.edu.auWebsite http://vln.bssc.edu.auDemonstration course username: physics.conference password: vlnguest