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Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools

Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools. By: Kristen Jones. What is Schoology ?.

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Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools

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  1. Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools By: Kristen Jones

  2. What is Schoology? • Schoology is a free Learning Management System (LMS) and social network. It allows educators and learners to easily “create, share, and manage academic material through a social networking interface” (“Schoology,” 2010).

  3. Schoology Features • Academic Features: • Create assignments, tests, quizzes, and events for individual classes that appear on a calendar for students to see • Manage gradebook and daily attendance • Viewstudent usage and analytics • Assignment dropbox • Social Features: • Networking throughout the school • Ability to send private messages • Weblogs and discussion boards • Collaborative workspaces for groups • File storage • Administrative Features: • Email address and username support (incase students forget their login information) • Ability to import and export courses, users, and grades • Parent access

  4. How Could This Benefit Our Students? Technology is a very important part of our students’ lives. They are often referred to as digital learners. “Although we often picture them as technology experts…most children and youth don’t know how to use technology as informed consumers, intelligent learners, creative producers, and effective communicators” (Lemke & Coughlin, 2009, p. 54). Using a system like Schoology can help us teach our students these valuable skills.

  5. Meaningful, Authentic, Student Learning It is important to realize that technology can have a substantial positive impact on the quality of teaching and learning, student enthusiasm and engagement, and the extent to which we prepare students for future professions. “Students expect to use computer-related technology in their coursework, and to gain the skills they will need to use the technological tools required of their careers” (Gillard & Bailey, 2007, p. 87). The incorporation of technology such as Schoology allows students to move from an inactive reception of knowledge through lectures and books, to being actively engaged in their education by gathering information from online sources and collaborating through technological infrastructures (Gillard & Bailey, 2007). The use of computers provides educators with the means to instruct, but also provide hands-on experiences with concepts so students are not simply covering the content, but instead mastering the material. We are moving from a setting of seclusion to one of interconnection and collaboration. The students become more actively engaged in creating knowledge as opposed to focusing solely on the end product. They are learning “how to use tools that facilitate the process of scholarship” (Gillard & Bailey, 2007, p. 88).

  6. Meaningful, Authentic, Student Learning A site like Schoology can allow for collaboration both in and out of the classroom. According to Lemke & Coughlin (2009), one key factor in true collaboration is for learners to participate in sustained, on-task discussions. “Unfortunately…this kind of discussion currently accounts for an average of only 1.7 minutes per 60 minutes of classroom instruction” (p. 56). We can change that statistic by incorporating a learning management system such as Schoology into our school community. Students can participate in meaningful discussions, they can ask for help from or provide help to their peers, they can blog about topics that interest them, and so much more. This is not limited to just the students in their classes or grade level, we can encourage collaboration throughout the school. An example of this would be creating groups for various student interests and clubs. This would give these students a place to discuss topics that are of interest to them with other students who share those interests. We could also have school wide discussions on various topics such as novels the students are reading or have read, current events, ways to increase school spirit, and anti-bullying just to name a few.

  7. Concerns According to Gillard & Bailey (2007), one of the major obstacles facing schools is resistance by faculty to use technology innovations. There is a lack of motivation, capability, time, and/or monetary resources to learn these unfamiliar tools. A survey given in 1999 showed that only about 10% of public school teachers felt that they were “very well prepared” to incorporate technology into their classroom instruction (p. 89). That being said, schools must learn to live with the ever-changing educational options and educators must be encouraged to stay up to date with new instructional resources and technological advances. Learning how to use a new technology such as Schoology is a process and can sometimes be overwhelming, but the benefits to our students make it worth it. Schoology offers professional development in the form of on-site training and webinars to help educators learn how to navigate the website and maximize its use in the classroom. They also provide support via e-mail and phone to answer any questions you may have or to help solve any problems that may arise. You can also provide feedback to Schoology to let them know what you find beneficial and what they may need to improve.

  8. Concerns In addition to resistance, there is always the concern of funding for such a program. Schoology is free and with all the cuts being made to school budgets these days, that is an advantage. There are many programs that we pay to use that cannot provide as much to our students as Schoology. What about the safety of our students? Schoology has privacy settings that allow us to protect our students and make sure they are communicating only with their peers in our school and under the supervision of the teachers. Individuals outside of our school cannot view students’ profiles and personal information. Individual teachers can assure their students’ safety by customizing these settings. Although this site allows for social networking, it is in a controlled environment.

  9. Conclusion The learning styles of our students have changed. Therefore, according to Gillard & Bailey (2007), it is important that educators “become more aware that traditional methods are increasingly less successful…” (p. 87). Many teachers are realizing that their methods of instruction have been greatly improved through the use of information technology and that trend needs to continue.

  10. Resources Collaboration_online. (2010). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.betternetworker.com/articles/view/marketing/social-networking/we-inc-leverage-the-power-of-you-inc-by-collaborating-with-others Gillard, S., & Bailey, D. (2007). Technology in the classroom: overcoming obstacles, reaping rewards. The International Journal of Learning, 14(1), 87-94. Lemke, C., & Coughlin, E. (2009). The change agents. Educational Leadership, 67(1), 54–59. Roberts, H. Armstrong. (Photographer). (2002). Boring class. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/NT3775009.html Schoology. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.schoology.com Schoology. (2010).[Web]. Retrieved from http://www.facebook.com Students want. (2010). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.doit.wisc.edu/news/story.asp?filename=1121

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