PALEOBIOLOGY: WHERE AN ONLINE MODULE

MEETS BEST PRACTICE

Iowa Science Teachers Fall Conference

Gail B. Wortmann and Nancy MovallOctober 18, 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….

http://edvance21-support-wiki.wikispaces.com/ISTS+2011

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 instructionSRI 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

gwortmann@iowalearningonline.orggail.wortmann@gpaea.org