Module One: Online learning, goals, and anticipated use of onlnie tools.

1.  What does online learning mean to me?
Honestly, I am still trying to figure this one out.  I am a bit conflicted with what constitutes "learning online".  I have had personal experiences in online classes in which the instruction was a bit lacking, and I was basically reading from a book and learning on my own.  I taught myself the material and then posted or attached my assignments so that someone out there could assess my work online.  I want the online learning experience to mean more to my students.  I think that online tools help to extend the still necessary daily lessons where students receive face time with one another and their teachers.  I have had entire classes of students create groups on Facebook to discuss homework and major assignments.  Some of these groups are still active to this day, despite the fact that the students have long since graduated high school.  I believe social media (like edmodo.com) could serve this greater purpose.  These Facebook groups truly helped to develop a greater sense of community for these classes.  Since Facebook is outlawed at WA, I was always on the periphery, but a sight like edmodo.com could help me extend the process.  I use blogs, Google applications,  and a variety of other resources which enable students to submit their work electronically.  These online tools often provide a platform for students to extend their analysis across multiple intelligences, establish concrete exemplars, and to form greater connections to the outside world.


2.  What are my goals for this course?
I want to learn more about Edmodo and how I can use it in my classes.  I also want to develop a lesson that is interactive and hands on.  I am hoping that I can come up with an idea which involves the use of online tools and that is a real world experience for my juniors and seniors at WA.  The students take the work to heart when they realize that someone beyond their teacher is reading it.

3.  How do I anticipate using online tools?
I plan on using online tools to help my students develop and present an iMovie online.  I would like to establish communication with other classes, possibly at other high schools for online sharing, editing, analysis, and analytical discourse.