This week I attended a workshop for a start-up group of educators called Online Leadership Learning Network (OLLN). Our meeting was held in two different locations – one on the east side of Minneapolis and the other on the west side – with speakers coming from different parts of the metro area – all connected by Google+ Hangout. Talk about using technology in a collaborative way!
The mission of the OLLN is to be a supportive community of colleagues sharing ideas and resources, participating in collaborative problem-solving, and developing strategies to implement online learning opportunities. We looked at online curriculum sources, learning management systems, instructional practices for online teaching and various current initiatives in Minnesota school districts.
One of the presenters from a large school district explained that buying a new algebra book in his district would cost approximately $200,000. Using the California model of ck12.org (which is aligned with the Khan Academy), he and three other teachers created their own textbook using free online resources. They each wrote approximately 80-90 hours over the summer and were paid for their writing. With the students buying their own book at a cost of $5, the cost to their district was only $10,000.
One of my goals this year is to start hybrid/online learning in our district. I have been working with our AP Physics teacher to take small steps in this direction. She has “flipped” her classroom a bit; placing lectures online so valuable class time can be used to help students with homework and assigned problems. Students can watch and re-watch her lectures and she can give independent and group help to those that need it.
This teacher and I will take a course this spring to develop courses in Moodle (a widely used Learning Management System). At the meeting this week, I was introduced to MoodleShare; a site that shares current Moodle courses. You can download a unit and upload to your own host site. You can search for content by key words or grade level tags. You can put available content together and create a semester course in no time. You can find almost anything you want to teach. In true Will Richardson fashion…people are adding units from all over the world!
This weeks’ the journey has been interesting. I knew there were lots of resources available for online learning. What I didn’t know is that it was such an amazing solution to save districts money while at the same time providing students with 21st century learning experiences they are sure to encounter in their post-secondary adventures!
