Knowing how to design and implement EFFECTIVE online learning is vital for educators. The movement towards hybrid and online classes is in full swing in both k-12 and post-secondary institutions. We cannot claim to be preparing students for college if we don't introduce them to this format. And with the emphasis on differentiated instruction, teaching to the needs of the students, and providing individualized instruction, online learning becomes a useful tool to achieve those goals. This venue also allows for extension of the classroom beyond the walls of the school and beyond the scheduled class hours during the day. Teachers can provide students with communication and collaboration tools, resources, and activities that will enhance student learning with 24/7 access.

The course I created is a hybrid class for training on eInstruction CPSPulse Classroom Response Systems. I will probably recreate the hybrid course in our Moodle installation and use it to help teachers get trained on eInstruction Classroom Performance Systems. I may include a bit more help for teachers and some videos/recorded help sessions to better explain the software for them. I will not use the Schoology system as my district has it's own Moodle installation and I like the total customization I can get with that software.

As a staff developer, I have been integrating online learning into our district's professional development for over a year. Our district is embracing the concept of webinars and online courses using our Moodle installations. I also train teachers how to use Moodle to provide hybrid and online courses for their students.

I really had to think about whether or not I had any questions about online learning after this course. I don't really have a question so much as a statement. If we're going to move teachers and professional development into the virtual realm, we are going to HAVE to train our teachers on best practices for online learning. Moving a lecture driven course into a virtual environment doesn't improve the class - in fact it just points out the lack of interactivity and student engagement. We have to rethink content delivery and demonstration of mastery to really take advantage of the digital tools available in the online environment (collaboration, multimedia, interactivity, etc.). There's nothing worse that taking an online class that was just a tired, boring classroom course moved online. We need to teach teacher HOW to teach online - not just how to use the software to teach online.

"Well-developed online courses are are teacher-led, with extensive interaction between teachers and students, and often between students. Because the teachers are so closely involved, students find that it is not easy to cheat in an online course. Given that online courses are so interactive, and that full-time programs provide opportunities for students to interact in person, online students are not isolated, but instead can focus on learning and socializing at different times." (Watson, 2007)

What will I do with this new learning that I've acquired? Keep working on providing relevant, effective professional development for my district and help teachers provide interactive, academically rigorous, multimedia driven courses.

The keynote speaker for Monday is Steven Covey...of 7 Habits fame.

I'm tickled to death because our LTCLs are getting on twitter, learning about Google Wave, and tonight...as we wait to go to dinner to celebrate our dear friend Sandra's birthday...several of them created their first blog.

It's so terrific to be here with such a dedicated group of teachers and librarians. They are passionate, excited, and anxious to learn it all. I just hope they don't hit critical mass on new knowledge...I don't want anyone's head to explode!

I cannot wait to see the viral sweep of integration that will follow them as they return pumped, excited, and with actual examples of how the technology to use with their students! This is how you do it...from the trenches, with real world applications, by real teachers - not technology gurus.

I love this group of syncing sistahs...my twittering team...blogging babes....waving women. You rock girls!

Start with a microphone and lots of echo. Next, get a guy with a great sense of humor counting down the time to the start with cute sayings like "Get Your Con On" (yep, I stole it), and "Experience the Wrath of Con." Chuckles.

Then open with my bud from White Oak ISD, Scott Floyd, setting up the agenda live using wikispaces. We all decided what we wanted to break out and learn, and those with experience volunteered to lead the discussion. My girl Lori and I will be leading a Moodle discussion at 10:30am. Pretty stinkin' nifty.

Now in a session about Web 2.0 with Dave Phillips. Really interesting comments...my favorite? Google's server farm is actually the size of an actual farm! Over 1 million servers. That's a big cloud, honey.

We're looking at Google Wave now. I've got invites if you need one, just give your email and I'll give you an invite. Brief side discussion on student email and the use of gmail by districts.

Lori is over in the blogger's cave learning about eportfolios and the use of WordPress for that purpose with Scott Floyd. It rocks. Obviously I'm a huge WordPress fan....(hello, this is a WordPress blog). Looking forward to getting lots of good tidbits from her when she finishes.

Interesting video (dropped into Google Wave) called the Machine is Using Us...pretty cool.

I'm sold on Google Wave but I need more contacts so we can really use it. I'll probably invite a bunch of our Learning Technology Campus Liaisons and work on a project or some training in it...force myself to work with it.

Okay ...I'm off to get ready for Moodle at 10:30! More tonight!