Communicate 4.1.1

How do communication practices in the online environment correlate to effective feedback?

Why is authentic feedback important for online learners?

In what ways might an instructor enrich a student’s online experience through feedback?

Based on my experience tone and consistency of communication correlate to effective feedback. We need to be reaching all of our students weekly and letting them know we are here for them, that they did a good job, and where they should be heading. We need to also be reaching out to our parents and keeping them in the communication loop.
 Our notes on their assignments we grade should be short and meaningful. Students should receive information on what they are doing right and where they could use improvement. We need to make sure students are not isolated in the online setting. We enrich education by providing meaningful feedback when grading assessments. Students should be able to learn from their mistakes and continue on the assignment until mastery is proven. The benefit of online education is that it is a one on one setting for the student. We need to make sure we are giving the student and parent the attention they need to continue the success of a one on one environment.

Communication 3.2.2

In the virtual setting IEPs and differentiation take on a whole new meaning. Do you know how to discuss the material for a phone quiz with a student who is non verbal? I have. It isn't easy!

Techniques that I like to see is integration of one on one with the student. My non verbal student and I worked together in Blackboard with live video so that I could make sure it was him "discussing" the material with me and to be able to record the lesson for academic integrity purposes.

Most typical IEP requirements are already in place in the virtual setting. Students are given longer on material and exams, they are able to reference back to the material for exams, extended time for course completion is easier to accommodate in a virtual setting.

Looking at ways to present the material I prefer creating blackboard live lesson tutorials or even prezi. Based on the information presented in the lesson a prezi seems like a fantastic choice. Below is an example of a prezi. It was made by Kellye Self on 8/16/2011. The thing about Prezi's is that they are public record just like this blog and can be accessed by anyone.    

Sample Prezi

Communicate 3.2.1
I am in love with smore! I wish I had known about this earlier in my teaching career for not only brick and mortar, but virtual!

It is extremely easy to set up. I did a sample test run and the link is included below.

Smore sample

Communicate 3.1.2 News
News announcements are used to help students stay on task such as weekly reminders, help sessions, live lessons. They can be personal information such as praises or shout outs to top students. We can also provide more in depth resources for students who want to dig deeper and extend the learning.

Don't forget!!

Live Lesson Module 2

Monday Night 8pm

Review your tools!

Be prepared to participate :)



Communicate 3.1.1 Homepages

I prefer to start out with simple reminders and other items on my homepage. I understand that GAVS uses more of a bulletin board setting rather than uniform homepages. What I like at top of my course is my picture and contact information. Next is my saying "3 a week to complete" 3 assignments each week to finish the course in 16 weeks. At the bottom of the page would by our synchronous session calendar for students to refer to. Below is a sample announcement I used several years ago in an online course:

Communicate 2.1.3
Communication with stakeholders is vital to the success and overall satisfaction with virtual schools. Students are students. They are teenagers, they will disappear, they will meet the expectations that you set for them. You must learn to motivate these students without seeing them. The biggest motivator is getting the parents and schools on your side. You need support to help keep the students motivated and interested in the course.

An example of a weekly update email:
 Happy Friday,

Spring is in the air and I love it. Take advantage of this lovely weather and get outside and enjoy it. The end of March is near so keep those assignments coming!

 • Spring breakers- please have lots of fun but remember to be safe. If you are traveling let me know in advance so I don't think you are just skipping my class. I will be here to assist you so please keep working
• Seniors- we are one week closer to graduation. I know you are getting excited but remember you must finish this class to graduate. Please let me know what I can do to help. Use the countdown clock on the announcements page to help. You can still finish in time if you do an assignment a day.
• Need a DBA? Give me a call- no need to make an appointment. Remember to leave a message if I miss you so I can make sure to call you back.
 • Have you been to the HELP site lately? There have been some major changes going on. Click the red "Easy" button on the announcements page to check it out sometime this weekend.

• Monday- Module 2 @ 5pm and Module 4 @ 9pm
• Tuesday- Final Exam Review @ 3pm, Module 3 @ 5pm, and Final Exam Review @ 8pm
 • Wednesday- Module 4 @ 10am, Mysteries Revealed @6pm, and Module 2 @ 730pm
 • Thursday- Final Exam Review @ 5pm, Order in the Court @ 7pm, and Module 2 @ 9pm
 • Friday- Module 1 @ 11am and Founding Documents @ 5pm

Communicate 2.1.2 Communication guidelines

Welcome Email:
This is an email that is sent to all students on the day they are assigned to your course. I personally like to send it to students and parents. An example of mine is below ( I deleted out personal information such as school name and phone number):

Personal vs Mass Communication
Often times I have used blast emails, blast texts, or blast calls to hit kids all at once. I use this for informal items such as mass reminders or no work in a certain time period. Personal communication should always be used in the beginning of the course to develop a relationship with the student.

Stakeholders: We need to communicate with schools and parents about student progress. We want to reach parents in their preferred method to help them make time for us

School policies: During welcome call these policies should be discussed with parents and students

Tools available: Remind 101 is amazing. I personally like google voice and mass texts through outlook system.

Welcome to Government Online!

 

I am so excited to be your**** Virtual School Teacher! My name is Mrs. Lee and I will be spending the next 16 weeks with you as your Government Teacher. I am so excited to be part of such a memorable school year!

I will be calling you soon to do your welcome call, but feel free to call me after school for the required Welcome Call. I will also need to speak to a parent, but it does NOT need to be at the same time. I am excited to meet you on the phone and answer all of the questions that I know you must have. You may call me 8:00 am -8:00 pm at my home office number *****.  If I don’t answer, chances are I am on another call. All you need to do is leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Texting and emailing are also GREAT!

Tips to get started:

1.      Call me for the “Welcome Call”

2.      Click on the “Announcements” each week for important updates.

3.      New Students to ***: attend a “New Student Orientation”.

4.      I am always here for you!