Presentation by Ms Megan HastieSenior Teacher

Brisbane School of Distance EducationFriday 9 Oct 2009

'Go cyber!’

Using the synchronous cyber classroomand a blended technology model

to maximize student performance.

A guide for K-12 teachers.

Dedication

This presentation is dedicated to Professor Nian-Shing Chen

Colleague, visionary, friend and mentor.

Brisbane – KaohsiungSister cities …

“We aim for better things.”

Five points …

1. My school – Brisbane School of Distance Education, Australia – and my students.

2. One technology that stands out – the synchronous cyber classroom and 3C

3. Collaborative research – our findings4. Starting your online teaching journey

– instructional design tips5. A blended technology approach for K-12 teachers.

Brisbane School of Distance Education• an Education Queensland state school• one of 7 schools of distance education in Queensland• P-12• over 3,000 students• students are Queenslanders living and studying in a variety of locations in Australia and overseas• enrolment categories - by choice and no choice• modes of delivery - print, multi-media and digital

My students

… on islands

… on yachts

… using technology to reach-and-teach

… on the snow

And supporting excellence …

One technology that stands out … the Collaborative Cyber Community (3C) and the synchronous cyber classroom

Nian-Shing and PhD students … a global professor anywhere, anytime

Multiple participants, multiple locations, multiple time-zones and multi-tasking …

Our research findings …• The synchronous cyber classroom out-performs all other modes of

instruction including face-to-face• Higher concentration• Higher motivation• Higher memorization and retention of concepts• Enhanced cognitive function through integration of visual, auditory

and kinaesthetic sensory modes• Accelerated, enriched, individualized and group learning• The role of the teacher as ‘learning manager’ for direct instruction

and the sharing of roles as teacher and learner - social net-working!• Computer literacy skills develop as an integral tool for learning for both students and teachers - not as a separate subject• 5% attrition rate• It is joyous!

Getting started … synchronous cyber teaching

Some tips• Keep it simple!• Practise with a colleague.• Start your synchronous teaching journey with one student.• Then try group lessons.• Then go international!

Welcome the students and check …

Lesson plan … advance organizer

Developing keyboarding skills … group lesson

Using the tools to get the job done …

Teacher directed learning …

Joint web browsing

Let them draw and write …

Hand-drawn by a 6 year old …

Collaborative planning … negotiated curriculum

End lesson and farewell …

A blended technology approach K-12

• The age of technology and the social networking phenomenon• Which technologies are your students using out of school?

• How can we replicate the social networking phenomenon in our daily classroom teaching and learning?

• How can we use Web 2 synchronous technologies and asynchronous technologies to enhance our teaching and learning?

• Collaborative international partnerships and team teaching.

Thank you!

Ms Megan Hastie mhast5@eq.edu.au

M

Questions and discussion