Blended Learning compared to e-Learning as defined by the Ontario MOE: Unlike e-learning classes where students are physically separate from their teacher and classmates, blended learning occurs within a face-to-face class that happens at a specific place and time. Blended learning combines the support of classroom learning with the flexibility of e-learning.
http://edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/blend.html
Blended Learning is relevant to the Junior division in so much as if the teacher implements it in a meaningful and engaging way. It is dependant on factors such as availability and reliability of resources (tech devices, wifi).
http://edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/blend.html
Blended Learning is relevant to the Junior division in so much as if the teacher implements it in a meaningful and engaging way. It is dependant on factors such as availability and reliability of resources (tech devices, wifi).
D2L
This digital platform to communicate with students is used widely in the DSBN. I am familiar with this platform as it was used a great deal by the Arts Department at the last Secondary LTO I held. It offers a fairly user friendly means of delivering content to students. Each class has its own site where the teacher can post videos, powerpoint, link to Google apps, inform students on upcoming events and evaluate deliverables. The example I followed was organized by the regular teacher who was on leave - and I believe it to be very well executed. Each Unit was present on the D2L site which can be made visible to students when the teacher wanted to reveal the information. It gave students a second means to engage in content and anchor their in-class learning. Students can download documents, submit work and receive evaluations.
There is a great deal of potential with the D2L platform, however I find it requires some PD to get familiarized with all that it has to offer. Which is possibly why so few of my peers at the elementary level where I teach FSL use it regularly. I see potential for D2L to be very useful for Blended Learning in the Junior division; I feel that students need to be introduced to it in a meaningful way - they need to know how it benefits them and to understand what the expectations of use are.
What are the current Ministry directives and initiatives regarding E-Learning?
The current Ontario MOE has directed that all Secondary Students must complete a minimum of 4 e-Learning courses in order to graduate. There is an appointed e-Learning contact per Board. This has not translated to the Junior division. The Ministry does promote Blended Learning on the website for K to 12.
The MOE has also stated that: “Ontario students and educators will have access to reliable, fast, secure and affordable internet services at school at a speed of one megabit per-second for every student in all regions of the province. The project will be completed by 2021-22, and will include all boards, schools and students.”
http://edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/blend.html
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/courses.html
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2019/03/education-that-works-for-you-2.html
How has this been rolled out in your district or at a school district near you?
e-Learning courses have been offered in the DSBN for some time at the Secondary Level. Since the announcement, we have yet to see the full impact this will have on our students. I have heard first hand accounts of students scrambling to try and change their schedules and have to forget taking certain courses as they are no longer offered at their High School.
I have yet to see any improvements in the internet services at the schools I have worked in.
What has changed for you in the last few years as a teacher, or since you were a student?
Pertaining to e-Learning and Blended Learning, nothing has really changed for me. I was exposed to a course on Tech during Teachers College and in my previous career I was immersed in Tech. This is my first online course and I am finding it very challenging to manage my time - for instance the suggested amount of time per Module has come and gone (long gone as I near hour 20) and I am still working online to complete the tasks. I don’t enjoy how my eyes feel or how fuzzy my brain feels after spending so much time in front of a computer screen.
Do you see a place for E-learning at the Junior Level? Explain.
I do not see a place for E-learning at the Junior Level. Purely based on the developmental stages the Junior learner is in. My experience has been that the Junior learner requires guidance, nurturing, reinforcement, quick responses and structure in order to learn best. The learners I have encountered do not possess the ability to follow along without being able to ask questions and get feedback right away - how can E-Learning provide that?
A big part of the Junior learning experience is being around caring adults who are modeling for them, connecting with them, supporting them in person. Children don’t need less adult contact or attention, in many cases they aren’t getting enough attention or contact.
I’m also not entirely convinced that a majority of High School level students are equipped to benefit from or thrive in E-Learning.
What is your personal experience with E-Learning or Blended Learning? (Teacher or learner...remember, this course is an E-LEARNING COURSE).
Repeating what I wrote above: This is my first online course and experience in E-Learning, and I am finding it very challenging to manage my time - for instance the suggested amount of time per Module has come and gone (long gone as I near hour 20) and I am still working online to complete the tasks. I don’t enjoy how my eyes feel or how fuzzy my brain feels after spending so much time in front of a computer screen. I feel disconnected from the other students despite reading their content and commenting on their Forum posts.
I do enjoy the content. I am unsure if I will take any other E-Learning AQs or ABQs - I very much miss the human interaction involved in a traditional classroom style course.
The Tech course I took in Teachers College was a blended style of learning. I enjoyed that course a great deal as students worked together often to accomplish tasks and learn from one another. In person.
This digital platform to communicate with students is used widely in the DSBN. I am familiar with this platform as it was used a great deal by the Arts Department at the last Secondary LTO I held. It offers a fairly user friendly means of delivering content to students. Each class has its own site where the teacher can post videos, powerpoint, link to Google apps, inform students on upcoming events and evaluate deliverables. The example I followed was organized by the regular teacher who was on leave - and I believe it to be very well executed. Each Unit was present on the D2L site which can be made visible to students when the teacher wanted to reveal the information. It gave students a second means to engage in content and anchor their in-class learning. Students can download documents, submit work and receive evaluations.
There is a great deal of potential with the D2L platform, however I find it requires some PD to get familiarized with all that it has to offer. Which is possibly why so few of my peers at the elementary level where I teach FSL use it regularly. I see potential for D2L to be very useful for Blended Learning in the Junior division; I feel that students need to be introduced to it in a meaningful way - they need to know how it benefits them and to understand what the expectations of use are.
What are the current Ministry directives and initiatives regarding E-Learning?
The current Ontario MOE has directed that all Secondary Students must complete a minimum of 4 e-Learning courses in order to graduate. There is an appointed e-Learning contact per Board. This has not translated to the Junior division. The Ministry does promote Blended Learning on the website for K to 12.
The MOE has also stated that: “Ontario students and educators will have access to reliable, fast, secure and affordable internet services at school at a speed of one megabit per-second for every student in all regions of the province. The project will be completed by 2021-22, and will include all boards, schools and students.”
http://edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/blend.html
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/elearning/courses.html
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2019/03/education-that-works-for-you-2.html
How has this been rolled out in your district or at a school district near you?
e-Learning courses have been offered in the DSBN for some time at the Secondary Level. Since the announcement, we have yet to see the full impact this will have on our students. I have heard first hand accounts of students scrambling to try and change their schedules and have to forget taking certain courses as they are no longer offered at their High School.
I have yet to see any improvements in the internet services at the schools I have worked in.
What has changed for you in the last few years as a teacher, or since you were a student?
Pertaining to e-Learning and Blended Learning, nothing has really changed for me. I was exposed to a course on Tech during Teachers College and in my previous career I was immersed in Tech. This is my first online course and I am finding it very challenging to manage my time - for instance the suggested amount of time per Module has come and gone (long gone as I near hour 20) and I am still working online to complete the tasks. I don’t enjoy how my eyes feel or how fuzzy my brain feels after spending so much time in front of a computer screen.
Do you see a place for E-learning at the Junior Level? Explain.
I do not see a place for E-learning at the Junior Level. Purely based on the developmental stages the Junior learner is in. My experience has been that the Junior learner requires guidance, nurturing, reinforcement, quick responses and structure in order to learn best. The learners I have encountered do not possess the ability to follow along without being able to ask questions and get feedback right away - how can E-Learning provide that?
A big part of the Junior learning experience is being around caring adults who are modeling for them, connecting with them, supporting them in person. Children don’t need less adult contact or attention, in many cases they aren’t getting enough attention or contact.
I’m also not entirely convinced that a majority of High School level students are equipped to benefit from or thrive in E-Learning.
What is your personal experience with E-Learning or Blended Learning? (Teacher or learner...remember, this course is an E-LEARNING COURSE).
Repeating what I wrote above: This is my first online course and experience in E-Learning, and I am finding it very challenging to manage my time - for instance the suggested amount of time per Module has come and gone (long gone as I near hour 20) and I am still working online to complete the tasks. I don’t enjoy how my eyes feel or how fuzzy my brain feels after spending so much time in front of a computer screen. I feel disconnected from the other students despite reading their content and commenting on their Forum posts.
I do enjoy the content. I am unsure if I will take any other E-Learning AQs or ABQs - I very much miss the human interaction involved in a traditional classroom style course.
The Tech course I took in Teachers College was a blended style of learning. I enjoyed that course a great deal as students worked together often to accomplish tasks and learn from one another. In person.
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