Networking with iNacol: Midwest Virtual School Symposium

Virtual School Symposium

I find it ironic that a virtual school symposium has no online attendance options.  However, if you're in the Midwest and involved in K-12 Online Education, this is the conference to attend. (To be fair iNacol does sponsor a number of Webinars every year.)

The conference is organized by iNACOL ( The International Association for K-12 Online Learning).  I've been a member of iNacol since 2005.  It has become the foremost professional organization for Virtual Schooling in the world.

I always recommend joining iNacol to the K-12 educators in our E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate Program. To build a career in E-Learning you need to create a professional network.  Getting involved with iNacol is an important part of building your connections.

K-12 Virtual School?

These YouTube videos provide an overview of what is happening now in virtual schools across the country.  They were created by Edutopia, another networking center that will reward any virtual teacher who pays attention with resources and connections worth having!





Virtual School Symposium (Details)

The International Association for K-12 Online Learning's annual conference, the Virtual School Symposium (VSS 2011), is November 9 - 11, 2011 at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis. The theme of this year's Virtual School Symposium (VSS) is "Empowered to Perform: Online and Blended Learning Models."

Online and blended learning are important innovations in K-12 education. The VSS conference provides professional development for K-12 online and blended learning for more than 2,000 K-12 administrators, policy leaders and practitioners; important networking opportunities; access to expertise and analysis, trends and research; and thought-provoking sessions for leaders looking to help shape the future of education. Attendees will find solutions for college-readiness, credit recovery, core and advanced courses, as well as target personalized learning solutions and competency-based pathways for students across the K-12 grade-levels.

New Preconference Sessions Announced!
iNACOL is pleased to announce 15 preconference workshops on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Participants can choose from a variety of half and full day sessions on important topics in the field of K-12 online and blended learning. Learn from experts, participate in engaging discussions, and gain a deeper understanding of these important topics.

iNACOL is pleased to announce two new VSS pre-conference sessions:

Blended/Hybrid Learning 101 - From Inception to Implementation lead by Michael Horn and Heather Staker from Innosight Institute.

Experts have noted that the majority of K-12 online learning in the United States is likely to happen in blended learning environments--and districts and charters are already responding and creating a variety of different models to personalize learning for students. This session will involve deep participant discussion to explore what blended learning looks like in the trenches. What is it? What are the different models of implementation? How do schools get started? How does one evaluate what tools--software and resources--to use when creating the model? Thought-provoking panels will include the experts, consultants and school personnel who are starting up and running blended learning programs.

Best Practices for Online Teachers with iNACOL/SREB’s National Online Teacher of the Year, Kristen Kipp

Award-winning National Online Teacher of the Year, Kristen Kipp, will lead this session designed for online teachers to share best practices from their online classrooms. Expert panels will include information on building community in the online learning environment and working with at-risk students online. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in round table discussions on current issues in online teaching including motivating students, differentiation, academic integrity, and assessment. All ideas will be grounded in the very best online teaching practices and research. Participants will leave with new ideas of how to improve and enrich the teaching in their program.


Many more! VSS half-day workshops and full-day preconference workshops on November 9 include:

• Administration and Management of Online Programs
• Colloquium on Researching and Evaluating Blended Learning
• Evaluation in K-12 Online Learning
• Google Workshop for Educators (Online Teacher Edition) (Full day)
• How to Start an Online Program Preconference Session (Full day)
• Issues of Diversity in Online Learning
• Learn Moodle! An Open Source Learning Management System
• New Learning Models – Mobile Learning, Game-Based Learning, and School Turnarounds
• Online Christian Education Association (OCEA) Symposium
• Online STEM Initiatives: A Hands-On Training Workshop (Full day)
• Open Educational Resources Workshop (Full day)
• Professional Development for Online and Blended Teachers: Identifying Successful Practices and Addressing Challenges
• Web 2.0 and Emerging Technologies for Online Learning

Full descriptions and registration for all of the preconference sessions are now available on our website at http://www.virtualschoolsyposium.org. Seating is limited for all sessions, so sign up soon!

Registration for the VSS conference is now open with an "early bird" discount until September 15. Register online at: http://www.virtualschoolsymposium.org/registration.php.
About VSS

Online and blended learning offers new delivery systems to maximize capacity -- doing more for students - even in times of economic distress. To learn more about online and blended models in K-12 education, the iNACOL annual conference provides access to experts and networking opportunities to learn more about new learning models, digital content innovations and technology tools for next generation learning.

For more information, visit www.virtualschoolsymposium.org.

About iNACOL

iNACOL is the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership association based in the Washington, DC area with more than 3,800 members. iNACOL is unique in that its members represent a diverse cross-section of K-12 education from school districts, charter schools, state education agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, universities and research institutions, corporate entities and other content and technology providers (www.inacol.org).

To ensure proper delivery of our email messages to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), add info@inacol.org  to your Address Book or Safe Sender List.

E-Learning Facilitation! LAST call for Summer 2011

June 20 - August 12, 2011
 Register Now!
This course provides you with real hands on experience. You'll learn how to create a sense of online community as you facilitate discussions with your peers. This is an opportunity to practice online teaching skills in a caring, personalized and supportive environment.

Course activities include hands-on practice using asynchronous communication technologies. You will actively: facilitate, explore questioning skills, conflict resolution, netiquette, and collaborative learning through problem solving scenarios, simulations, and online discussions. You will investigate time management strategies and pitfalls to avoid when designing and facilitating online class activities and explore various assessment tools to analyze and evaluate student participation in online discussions.

Don't miss this chance! Register Today!

EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning
3 graduate credits
Totally online - no travel to campus required

No extra fees or surcharges for out of state or international participants.

This course is part of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Graduate Certificate in E-Learning and Online Teaching.

Instructors: Dr. Kay Lehmann and Lisa Chamberlin

Director of Online Learning, Wisconsin eSchool Network

UW-Stout: Good Training Opens the Door to Your Future

Network Description:

The Wisconsin eSchool Network is a rapidly expanding statewide network of school districts that share resources to support high quality online teaching and learning initiatives to best prepare students for success in the 21st Century. Local districts autonomously determine how the online resources will be used within and by their districts. Students from throughout the state are eligible to enroll in online courses, whether for a single course or as a full-time online student. The Network anticipates reaching 5,000 enrollments for 2010-11. The Wisconsin eSchool Network’s unique, highly sustainable model provides opportunities for a knowledgeable and experienced leader to facilitate the Network’s vision.

General Description:

This is a full-time, 12 month position with salary and benefits negotiated commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Director reports to the Governance Board and/or Advisory Board or their designee.

The Director of Online Learning will execute the Wisconsin eSchool Network vision and mission for online learning; he/she will have full responsibility for developing and meeting the Network’s goals for revenue, growth and quality. He/she will be responsible for the overall management and expansion of the Network.

Responsibilities:

• Provide vision, leadership and strategic planning
• Collaborate with the governance board to develop and maintain the Network by-laws, policies and procedures, contracts etc.
• Develop an annual budget based upon Network strategic goals
• Collaborate with Online Learning Coordinator (OLC) on day-to-day operational decisions
• Collaborate with Network Partner District Liaisons to identify online learning priorities on a regular basis
• Facilitate Partner district relationships
• Manage operations for all core centralized financial and data driven tasks. This includes: budget, business records, accounting, contracts, invoices, reconciliation, staffing etc.
• Develop and maintain contractual relationships with key technology and content vendors
• Develop a recruitment and outreach program to attract new district Partners
• Oversee development of marketing plan, press releases, conference presentations
• Design, implement and oversee a district mentoring program for new Partners
• Represent and advocate for the Network at the local, state and national level by engaging in policy and politics of online learning
• Coordinate with the governance board: (i.e. prepare agendas, act as liaison to Partners as a group)
• Seek and secure grants and foundation funds to support the initiatives of the Network
• Oversee all operational tasks in collaboration with the OLC
• Write and submit conference proposals
• Keep apprised of new and emerging instructional technologies
• Address inquiries from outside districts, parents, students
• Work with the OLC to plan the agenda and facilitate the Network Partner meetings
• Coordinate Virtual High School (VHS, Inc) allocations
Qualifications:
• Masters required, preferably in education or administration
• Management experience, preferably management of an online program
• 5 years experience with teaching and online learning
• Demonstrated success as a leader of large scale projects
• Solid understanding of best/promising practices of online and blended/hybrid learning
• Strong problem solving and trouble-shooting skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with program and project evaluations
• Working knowledge of current technologies
• Experience with instructional design

Application:

Qualified candidates can apply by sending their resume` and copies of transcripts to admin@wisconsineschool.org.

Deadline for Applicants:

- Qualified candidates need to submit their resume` and transcripts by April 30, 2011.
- Selected candidates will be asked to supply references prior to interview in early May 2011.
- Contract start date to be negotiated, potentially June 1, 2011

E-Learning Job: Online Learning Coordinator, Wisconsin eSchool Network

UW-Stout: Good Training Opens the Door to Your Future

I urge qualified graduates of our UW-Stout E-Learning and Online Teaching Certificate program to apply for this job! ~ Dennis O'Connor, Program Advisor .


Online Learning Coordinator, Wisconsin eSchool Network

The Wisconsin eSchool Network is a rapidly expanding statewide network of school districts that share resources to support high quality online teaching and learning initiatives to best prepare students for success in the 21st Century. Local districts autonomously determine how the online resources will be used within and by their districts. Students from throughout the state are eligible to enroll in online courses, whether for a single course or as a full-time online student. The Network anticipates reaching 5,000 enrollments for 2010-11. The Wisconsin eSchool Network’s unique, highly sustainable model provides opportunities for a knowledgeable and experienced leader to facilitate the Network’s vision.

General Description:

This is a full-time, 12 month position with salary and benefits negotiated commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Online Learning Coordinator (OLC) reports to the Governance Board and/or Advisory Board or their designee.

The OLC will execute the Wisconsin eSchool Network vision and mission for online learning; he/she will have full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Network. He/she will be responsible for the timely support of the Network.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, distribution and promotion of operational policies and procedures
• Serve as the Network level contact for technology issues
• Become an expert in the Student Information Systems (SIS), Learning Management Systems (LMS) and online content to support districts in their use of the Network SIS, LMS and online content
• Communicate regularly with vendors to handle “trouble tickets” and request/coordinate customizations needed to better serve the Network
• Lead the development of training courses for District Liaisons, Registrars, Coaches and Teachers
• Coordinate the development of training opportunities for District Liaisons, Registrars, Coaches and Teachers
• Maintain the Wisconsin eSchool Network (WEN) website
• Maintain and expand the eHandbook, which includes operational policies and procedures
• Collaborate with the Director to plan the agenda and facilitate the Network Partner meetings
• Oversee and coordinate Network Professional Development offerings
• Lead instructional design tasks for WEN orientations, help teachers with curricula, and lead other projects as they arise

Qualifications:
• Bachelors required, Masters preferred
• Eligibility for Wisconsin teacher certification preferred
• 5 years experience with teaching and online learning
• Demonstrated success as a teacher leader
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to facilitate high quality professional development
• Solid understanding of best/promising practices of online and blended/hybrid learning
• Strong problem solving and trouble-shooting skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of current technologies
• Experience with instructional design
• Working knowledge of SIS, LMS and online content

Application:

Qualified candidates can apply by sending their resume` and copies of transcripts to admin@wisconsineschool.org.

Deadline for Applicants:

- Qualified candidates need to submit their resume` and transcripts by April 30, 2011.
- Selected candidates will be asked to supply references prior to interview in early May 2011.
- Contract start date to be negotiated, potentially June 1, 2011

Threaded Discussion Tips

UW-Stout Discussion Board Etiquette
Here is the University of Wisconsin-Stout resource page on discussion board etiquette.  This represents the best practices of our veteran e-learning instructors.

This advice helps all learners better understand the techniques and nuances of threaded discussion. 

Discussion Board Topic Links:

• Your First Posting
• Change the Subject Line
• Delete the Extra
• Tone and Courtesy in Writing
• Summarize, Quote, or Refer
• Give Credit Where Credit is Due
• Me, Too, I Agree!
• Grammar, Spelling and Fonts

This is one of many resources shared with students and staff in an effort to provide the best online learning experience to all.

NEW: Checklist for Online Instructors

Checklist for Online Instructors


This is a NEW resource listing best practices in online instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development Department.

The checklist presents best practices in online teaching. Included are essential ideas for all online instructors during all stages of an online course.

• What do you do before the class starts?
• What should be accomplished during the first week of class?
• What expectations should be met during the class?
• How do you make the most of your last week of class?

Each stage includes checklists for: 

• Managerial Expectations
• Social Expectations
• Pedagogical / Instructional Design Expectations.
• Technical Expectations

This new resource captures the wisdom of our online teaching team! It was developed to help all new online instructors at University of Wisconsin-Stout as well as the interns in our E-Learning Practicum Classes.

This is the talk we walk.  It is important to have a reference we can give to new online instructors. We summarized all of the field smarts developed by our online staff over the years.

We would love to hear more suggestions for online instructor best practices. 

Have you any resources or ideas to share?

Problem solving in an online constructivist classroom.

Notes from the field:

Recently an intern in UW-Stout's E-Learning Practicum said "In the course I'm teaching, there is a lot of interaction and questions that the students want to share and inquire about.  Some of the questions, I can't answer and some I can   I think it is important to let the student know I am only the facilitator and not the expert."

This online instructor in training got it right.  If you come across a question you can't answer, be honest. Don't bluff or portray yourself as an expert when you aren't. Instead model the collaborative skills you've developed and work together with the student to solve problems. 

It creates an intolerable pressure whenever an intern or an instructor attempts to know it all (or wants to appear that they do.) 

It's a much more sensible stance to accept the teacher as co-learner approach. You are knowledgeable, but you are here to teach and learn with the class.  This is especially true when you work with students who display wide variety of technical abilities.  Some will always know more than you do. Great! Make them allies and get them to help the others. 

By sharing power you enhance the learning community.  This is truly the way you move off the stage and become the guide on the side.

When I taught middle school I'd sometimes come across a kids with advanced technical skills, I always recognized them and make them lab assistants.  This was a win win. The student enjoyed the respect of the class and I had one more person I could learn something from. I also was able to foster the cooperative learning atmosphere that makes computer labs interesting places to learn.

When I get stumped I try to verbalize the problem and readily admit I'm working on a solution by asking for help from the group.  Doing this publicly doesn't erode your credibility if you can model a problem solving approach. 


Here are some problem solving tips.

(Folks please expand and add to this?)

1. Wait time.  If the issue isn't on fire, and the answers are covered in the course work, wait a bit.  Provide some time for other students to answer the question or for the student to answer it for themselves. (This assumes the question is asked in a public forum.) 

If a student provides another with help, follow up with subtle praise or more detail.  This helps build mutual interdependence in the class, which is at the heart of a constructivist environment.  It never hurts to thank a student publicly for providing you with a new resource or teaching you something new.  Hopefully this will encourage others to step up as well.

2. Admit when you're uncertain.  Next clarify and verify.  Coax the person asking the question to be as clear and specific as possible. (Which browser? Which Operating system? etc.) You need evidence to investigate a problem. 

When you understand the problem try to verify it by reproducing the circumstances. This means taking the student point of view to look at things.

Remember that instructors see things differently in a learning management system. Impersonate the student and try to see it their way.

Remember that some problems are browser based.  Things look and work differently depending on which operating system and browser you are using.

3. Practicum Interns should consult with your cooperating instructor on anything that might get sticky. This is a judgment call, but mainly it relates to grades and personality issues. Be proactive about about potential problems. 

Take the initiative. If you need help ask. I call this understanding the chain of command.

In an internship,  go to your cooperating cooperating instructor first.  

When you're teaching online for a company or university use the chain of command. This  means keeping your manager or program director in the loop if you see a developing problem with a student. It also means finding colleagues who can be informal mentors. 

This is always a balancing act. Don't flood your supervisor with minor problems.  Instead protect them from ugly surprises and check when you're uncertain what to do.


4. Use your search skills.  We teach information fluency in E-Learning for Educators for a very sound reason.  The answer to many questions is just a keyword search away.  If you provide an answer based on a keyword search share the keywords as well as the web addresses for your references. (Model the act of independently seeking information via search.)

Problem solving is an ongoing process.  If have advice about problem solving in an online environment please post and share it?

~ Den

PS:  One way to deal with problems is to avoid them in the first place.  See our NEW Checklist for Online Instructors for a comprehensive guide to best practices in e-learning! 

Want to change your future? Start now! Learn to Teach Online!

Are you thinking about your future? Perhaps you've been teaching for awhile and things are beginning to get a bit routine?  Do you worry about losing the spark of curiosity and excitement you feel in the classroom? Do you see a rut in your professional life and wonder if there will ever be a chance to change?

If you want to electrify your teaching or training career, consider e-learning and online teaching. There's a world of new opportunities and ideas waiting for you on the web!

I'm describing myself in the opening paragraph.  I was a veteran teacher fast approaching my 50's with 25 years in the classroom.  As I commuted to work I'd ask myself is this where I'll be next year? And the year after that? At the midpoint of my commute I'd pass a sailboat anchored on a large lake.  I started thinking that I was that sailboat.  At anchor in a beautiful place, with gorgeous but limited horizon line.  In my case I was focused on a single question:  Did I want to circle the wagons and wait it out until I could retire, while my love for teaching was chipped away a day at a time, or did I want to take a chance on a new future?

I set a goal to go back to school when I turned 50.  My plan was to be making my living online within five years.  It happened withing two.  It may be a cliche, but my dreams became goals, and my goals have been more than fulfilled, thanks to teaching and learning online.  Our program at UW-Stout embodies everything I've learned about e-learning amplified by the experience and expertise of the best group of online teachers I've ever worked with. 

Think about joining us this summer!  You can change your future one class at a time, starting with the summer session which is now open for registration.

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html

• Are you looking for an E-learning and Online Teaching Certificate program?
• Is your institution rapidly developing online courses and programs?
• Are you looking for a new career or a way to supplement your current salary?
• Our courses benefit educators interested in effectively teaching online or blended courses. 

Summer and Fall registration is open now. Sign up soon.

Courses are completely online; no travel to campus required.
8-Week Online Courses Recommended Course Sequence  

• EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators  
• EDUC 762 Assessment in E-Learning  
• EDUC 763 Instructional Design for E-Learning  
• EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities  
• EDUC 764 E-Learning Practicum  (Prerequisite: Completion of EDUC 760, 761, 762, 763 and Consent of Instructor)
   

For more information, visit http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html You may enroll in any single course for professional development or complete all four courses and the practicum to receive the Certificate in E-Learning and Online Teaching.

Courses can be used to fulfill requirements in the Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Career and Technical Education and Ed.S. in Career and Technical Education degree programs.
Benefits

• Expert facilitation by veteran online educators
• Small highly interactive classes
• Professional quality projects for an e-portfolio to aid in job searches
• Career mentoring and job placement assistance
• Credits may also apply as electives in three different UW-Stout graduate degree programs
• Highly competitive tuition (tuition is the same for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students)

The courses model best practices in e-learning with interactive discussions and hands-on experiences

• creating and using blogs, wikis, and other social tools
• integrating video and podcasts
• adopting best practices for engaging class discussions and assignments
• designing authentic assessment activities, quizzes and grading options 
• building strong communication activities in your online class
• motivating online students who are falling behind      
• managing your online teaching workload

If you have any questions, please contact Dennis O'Connor, the program adviser, at (530) 318-1145 or email oconnord@uwstout.edu

REGISTER SOON  

Register online today to reserve a spot at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml