"When it comes to using technology in school, the tension between what students and parents want and what schools allow is becoming more apparent — and more divisive.
Students want more control over how they use technology in school, but many classrooms are still making it difficult. That’s according to the most recent Speak Up 2011 report, “Mapping a Personalized Learning Journey,” which reflects the views of more than 416,000 K-12 students, parents, and educators nationwide surveyed on how technology can enhance the learning environment..."
Many schools are exploring online instruction as a component of education (including K-12). If you are interested in learning how one organization (edmentum) had the Marzano Research Laboratory review "the impact of strategies on student academic outcomes in an online learning environment." The report explores best practices in three areas:
* Marzano Dimension: Strategies Involving Routine Events - This area covers six best practices, including
* Communicating course /assignment rules and procedures
* Allowing students to keep track of their learning progress
* Marzano Dimension: Strategies Enacted on the Spot - This area also discusses six best practices, including:
* Providing help to understand and practice new knowledge
* Allowing students to ask questions during online course/assignment
* Marzano Dimension: Strategies Addressing Content - This area has only one practice:
* Adding external resources to assignments aligned to local objectives
There is a page devoted to each of the best practices. This information may not be new to you, but if teaching online is new to you there are great suggestions to help you design a course (or teach a course) that will lead to a more successful implementation.
The link to this file is located at: http://www.edmentum.com/sites/edmentum.com/files/resource/media/0317-01%20Marzano_eBook.pdf