PALEOBIOLOGY: WHERE AN ONLINE MODULE
MEETS BEST PRACTICE
ITEC
Gail B. Wortmann and Nancy MovallOctober 17, 2011
EMERGING BEST PRACTICE
According to iNACOL’s John Watson in Promising Practices in Online Learning,
blended learning, which combines the best elements of online and face-to-face education, is likely to emerge as the
predominant teaching model of the future.
EMERGING BEST PRACTICE
According to iNACOL’s John Watson in Promising Practices in Online Learning,
blended learning, which combines the best elements of online and face-to-face education, is likely to emerge as the
predominant teaching model of the future.
Turn to an elbow partner and discuss how that statement makes you feel.
Goal for Today
Tales of Blended Learning (3 teachers) Example of Blended Learning eCurriculum:
reSOURCE IOWA module, Paleobiology Compels students to learn by engaging them Anchors study of biological evolution to prehistoric
Manson Crater Incorporates best practices, i.e., Gradual Release of
Responsibility, the 5E Inquiry Model, 21st Century Skills, Rigor and Relevance Framework, etc….
Tale tellers…
Jennifer Hand, Science, Centerville (not 1:1) Courtney Bortle, Science, Central City (1:1, 4 yrs) Jamaica Reed, Science, Audubon (1:1 first year)
Blended Learning Definition
Online course materials are used in a face-to-face environment
Shift from teacher-centered instruction to learner-centered instruction
Interaction increases between: learner-instructor learner-content learner-learner learner-outside resources
Power of Blended Learning
Quality of online product and what is achievable Constructed to include best practices Conceptual development Using blended for 1:1 environment:
Conceptual Development
Unit Checklist - the whole module is carefully crafted - it is not a shopping cart for activities
In the Context of 21st Century Skills
21st Century Skills: civic literacy, health literacy, financial literacy, technology literacy, and employability skills Improves information literacy and digital proficiency Evaluate their work
based on the employability skills
Raises the rigor of f-2-f discussions
Ask students to do more than sit…
Inquiry-based Students are expected to gather data that will be
shared with and analyzed by the class. Students participate in hands-on labs or
activities Students involve
non-classmates in order to gathering data (family, friends, etc.)
Advantage of Online Learning for Students
Learning experience is well-designed with best practices included
Additional resources were available and used by learners
Learners had more control over choices (access, moving forward, replay, online tools)
There was more self-reflection and monitoring of personal progress
Paperless – Environmentally friendlySRI International
Jessica Parkard, Audubon, Anatomy
Advantage of Online Learning for Teachers
Lessons were prepared based on standards and best practice
Learner materials could be downloaded (rather than created) reducing prep time
Lessons could be more readily paced according to learner need
Lessons were more easily differentiated for learners-in-need Language support tools were available for ELL learners Absent-learner issues required less teacher time More teacher time could be spent with smaller,
collaborative groups rather than large-group instruction
SRI International
Blended Learning Testimonial
Barriers to Online Learning
Equipment/access issues Enough computers or
mobile devices smartphones, netbooks,
or tablet computers Enough bandwidth to
insure adequate internet feed
Time management
Blended Classroom Teacher
Available for help with online instruction Personalizes learning as much as possible Encourages thoughtful reflection Differentiates instruction Monitors learning:
Provides guided instruction Procures materials for activities Grades work and gives assessment feedback on
standards and benchmarks
Students and Blended Learning Get Engaged!
Crafting a High Quality Module… PaleobiologyLessons were chosen to
Cover the essential questions Engage learners Make the subject of evolution relevant from both the
biotic and geologic perspective Show Iowa Core proficiency Connect to careers
Adam’s Reflections: Paleobiology Pilot
“I learned a lot about the Manson Crater, evolution, and other aspects of science. (Evolution was by far the most fascinating.) Reading about how different animals have adapted to survive is just fascinating to me. How hummingbirds have adapted to having longer beaks to get the nectar from the flowers, rabbits adapting to their surroundings...”
Evolution Pre-test
Paper-pencil or:
http://tinyurl.com/3zbe2sfVERY IMPORTANT: Please indicate whether each of the statements on this pre-test is true or false, in terms of how you think biologists use and understand the term "evolution" today. You do not have to agree with the statement for it to be true.
Paleobiology Unit: Iowa’s Own Meteor Crater
Investigate the Manson meteor crater at the end of the Cretaceous period
Tie together Iowa Core biological evolution standards from Life Science and changes in earth systems standards from Earth Science
Carefully crafted with relevant information (scenario)
Estimate 3-4 week unit 11 lessons take more than one standard “class-day”
Ellie Calhoun scenario
Real-life, problem-solving Requires higher order thinking skills of analyzing,
evaluating, and creating Compels learners to investigate biological and
geological events with unpredictable outcomes Gives reasons for why students are asked to do the
learning events Go online!
Online Assessment
Both formative and summative assessments are integrated for both the teacher and the learner Probes for prior knowledge Peer “understanding” reviews Online quiz options Self created learning quizzes/ practice tests (ITEDs…) Randomized foils H.O.T.S. multiple choice Immediate feedback Essential question assessments Proctored/password protected
Essential Question Summative
Show evidence of learning Choose one essential question and show
evidence of understanding Choose to present evidence via multimedia or
simply writing an essay or a blog post Instructor looks for evidence of knowledge and
understanding of biological evolution using a holistic rubric
Technical Issues
Streaming video access Cloud computing solutions such as Google Docs Access to links (school filters may block sites that
are important to concept development & HOTS)
Student Reflections…
Enjoyment was usually tied to success with time management and perseverance
One student commented, “This unit as a whole helped me be more self-motivated.”
Big idea, essential questions, learning goals, and success criteria of the unit (these headings align with Iowa Core work)
Fully Online with Student Coach
Student Coach monitors progress Learner is responsible for progressing through unit
at own pace (acceptable to the learner, coach, parent, and school)
Student Coach confers with teacher-of-record Credit given by the local school district. Help is:
Self-directed (learner uses resources to find answers) Student Coach assists (finds resources or helps learner
locate needed resources)
THANKS FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION!
Try Blended Learning!
Contacts
Gail B. WortmannIowa Learning OnlineGreat Prairie Area Education Agency2814 N. CourtOttumwa, IA641-682-8591 ext. 5233
[email protected]@gpaea.org