Reflection: iNACOL Standards for Quality Online Teaching

Portfolio Assignment from Module 8.

Reflection of My Strengths and Needs in Offering Quality Online Teaching

Based on the iNACOL Standards

by Ed Campos Jr.

Rating Scale:

0 Absent—component is missing

1 Unsatisfactory—needs significant improvement

2 Somewhat satisfactory—needs targeted improvements

3 Satisfactory—discretionary improvement needed

4 Very satisfactory—no improvement needed

Standard A: The online teacher knows the primary concepts and structures of effective online instruction and is able to create learning experiences to enable student success.

Strengths:

I am very comfortable with the structure effective online instruction and feel I can construct an inclusive learning environment for my students by incorporating an engaging hook or introduction video to peak students’ interest and kick start the inquiry process. I am confident that I can create an inclusive learning environment via the LMS with thought provoking prompts and by monitoring my online students and providing timely feedback. I understand the various tech knowledge backgrounds of my students and can provide clear and appropriate modeling of the technology that will be used within the LMS via links to “How To” docs or screencasts of using the technology needed. I have a good grasp of the formative assessments available to use to gauge students understanding and provide individualized feedback by way of Google Hangouts, the LMS Discussion Boards, email or texts.

Weaknesses:

My lack of experience is a weakness but I feel that the Fresno Pacific University, Innovative Educator Advanced Studies Program, has prepared me and given me the proper tools to begin creating an online course. I am attempting to to incorporate some curriculum delivery via the Schoology LMS this semester with a few of my face to face classes to gain more experience in this area.

Rating 2.5

Standard B: The online teacher understands and is able to use a range of technologies, both existing and emerging, that effectively support student learning and engagement in the online environment.

Strengths:

Within the past year, I have gained an immense amount of knowledge of the various Web 2.0 Tools available on the Internet to showcase students’ knowledge of content and to support their learning. I understand that I’m still scratching the surface and I humbly recognize that my PLNs of the CUE Google+ Community and my fellow Ed Tech Educators that I follow on Twitter are an invaluable resource that I can reach out to at anytime. I have recently begun introducing projects using LiveBinders, QR Codes, iMovie, and ThingLink with my current High School students in the face to face environment I currently teach in. I see the engagement and enthusiasm in my classroom and know that I could deliver it just as effectively in an online or blended environment.

Weaknesses:

Before the IEASC program, the only Web 2.0 tools I had used were Storybird and Animoto. My knowledge of what existed was limited but since joining the program I have been able to amass a great collection of resources from the coursework, twitter, Learnist, Google+, and CUE Conferences. Again, I don’t have much experience in using many in classroom projects but I have begun to use more and will be experimenting with LiveBinders, ThingLink, Schoology, and Google Groups. I have been testing one class using Schoology and another class using Google Sites(because I am familiar with Sites) and embedding a Google Group Web Discussion Forum within the site. 1 week into the semester, I am really enjoying the discussions my classes are having via the Google Group. One thing I like about Groups is that I am able to provide prompt responses from my cel phone to the entire group, immediately. So what I lack in experience, I feel I can make up in enthusiasm and willingness to try and fail.

Rating 3.5

Standard C: The online teacher plans, designs, and incorporates strategies to encourage active learning, application, interaction, participation, and collaboration in the online environment.

Strengths:

I have learned how to use Google Drive with my students and take advantage of the collaborative features Drive has to establish this active learning environment. Although, I don’t work in a 1:1 district currently, my district has just become a Google Apps for Education District and I have been among the major influences in bringing this to fruition. What I lack in experience of creating this collaborative environment, I make up for in enthusiasm and desire to make this a reality for my students. I have been given the go ahead from my principal to begin incorporating this into my current classes. This semester, I have 4 Face to Face math classes at my Independent Study High School, where I am supplementing my instruction with direct instruction videos and google Form quizzes that are housed on my classrooms’ Google Site. I’ve also created Google Groups for each section to facilitate discussion along with setting students up with their GAFE accounts. It will be a semester of a lot of failures, for sure, but I will try different strategies, share my successes, and failures with my peers, and seek out advice from my PLN.

Weaknesses:

Although I am confident in my knowledge of the collaborative features of Google Drive, I feel that I could utilize other technologies such as VoiceThread, Wikis, and Twitter to contribute to an interactive and collaborative online environment. I can also improve in my use of Twitter and Todays Meet as a backchannel for Google Hangouts and although I have participated in these types of Hangouts, I would like to gain more experience in facilitating them.

Rating 3.5

Standard D: The online teacher promotes student success through clear expectations, prompt responses, and regular feedback.

Strengths:

I feel that I am very good at providing prompt and regular feedback to students via email, Remind101 Text Reminders, or by hosting a Google Hangout. Just this past week, I began using a Google Group discussion for my students to ask questions and have class discussions with their peers. I have been able to provide immediate feedback from my cel phone to the Google Group and believe that the prompt feedback and communication aspect of Standard D is a true strength of mine. I do need more practice in creating rubrics to provide clear expectations for students to follow.

Weaknesses:

I realize that I do not have a lot of experience creating Rubrics and this is one area where I need to improve upon. Having been a math teacher for 8 years, rubrics are not something I’ve used regularly but I understand they are vital to layout a clear expectation as a target for students to shoot for. I am aware of Rubric resources like RubiStar and RCampus and I will continue to improve in this area as I create Rubrics for my Computer Literacy class’ projects this semester.

Rating 2.5

Standard E: The online teacher models, guides, and encourages legal, ethical, and safe behavior related to technology use.

Strengths:

I constantly promote digital citizenship to my students and I am starting this semester by having my Digital Literacy class research the 9 elements of digital literacy as part of a campaign to promote awareness of it on our campus, district, and county. I understand the importance of modeling the correct behaviors to my students when it comes to technology use. I teach and remind them to constantly verify the quality of their internet sources and to include citation from any work they include in projects. I was not very familiar with the methods of citation previously, but have learned a great deal recently through various resources, such as Easybib and the Google research auto citation feature. Around my Independent Study campus, I have witnessed many students using these features to cite their sources a result of my modeling to students and staff.

Weaknesses:

I lack experience in teaching students proper citation and checking for plagiarism because I have taught High School Math for 8 years and I have never assigned a written assignment before. Now that I am shifting my mind to think about Common Core Project Based Lessons, I understand the need for Math Teachers to include writing in Curriculum. I’m aware of the citation resources such as Google Research and EasyBib and have some experience with checking for plagiarism by using TurnItin.com

Rating 2.5

Standard F: The online teacher is cognizant of the diversity of student academic needs and incorporates accommodations into the online environment.

Strengths:

I am aware of the various intelligences students possess and I’m also aware of the plethora of Web 2.0 tools that allow students to showcase their knowledge in different mediums. I believe that I can incorporate the appropriate Web 2.0 tool or Mobile App device that suits a specific students’ needs. I am also aware of the accessibility needs of our Special Education and Disability Students when it comes to 508 Compliance and know how to construct Syllabi and/or text documents with proper headers so that Text-to-Speech apps or software can read them. I can also include ALT tags for images for those students with disabilities. I have only done it once, but I understand the concept and process of inserting Closed Caption text onto a YouTube Video that I would include as part of my curriculum. I also search out other resources, like the Chrome extension, “announcify”, which is a text-to-speech extension.

Weaknesses:

Although I am aware of how to create documents with proper headers and images that include ALT tags and how to create videos with Closed Captioning, it is not second nature to me. I will have to make a concerted effort ensure that every document or video I create is fully accessible to the diverse students in my classes.

Rating 3.0

Standard G: The online teacher demonstrates competencies in creating and implementing assessments in online learning environments in ways that ensure validity and reliability of the instruments and procedures.

Strengths:

I am competent in choosing the appropriate formative assessments using Google Forms, LMS Discussion Forums, Wiki’s, Blogs, or Google Doc collaborations. I can use students responses within these assessments to diagnose strengths or weaknesses and provide praise or constructive criticism in a timely manner. I also feel that I have a solid knowledge of the array of Web 2.0 tools that can be used as Performance Based Assessments in a units’ Final Project. I will provide opportunities for timely teacher feedback, peer review, and an opportunity to revise the Final Project based on an initial Rubric score.

Weaknesses:

Once again, I don't’ have a lot of experience in using various assessments but I am now aware of many that are available. I think the biggest challenge for me will be to test out many assessment resources and seek help and input from my PLN to find the appropriate tool to assess certain competencies.

Rating 3.0

Standard H: The online teacher develops and delivers assessments, projects, and assignments that meet standards-based learning goals and assesses learning progress by measuring student achievement of the learning goals.

Strengths:

I am confident in my ability to create and deliver assessments, projects, and assignments, that address Common Core Math Practice and Anchor Standards. My knowledge of Google Apps for Education, Web 2.0 Tools, and Internet Resources provides me an excellent Toolbox to choose from when designing curriculum. I’ve been collecting and organizing resources in a Google Doc(with collaborative help from my IEASC cohort) to assist me in this process.

PaperLess Classroom Resource Doc

Weaknesses:

Having taught in California my entire teaching career, I am very competent in the California Standards for Mathematics that I have been planning lessons around for 8 years. The iNacol Standards and Common Core standards are relatively new to me, but I feel that the Innovative Educator Advanced Studies Program at Fresno Pacific has given me a solid understanding of both and has prepared me to create courses that meet both standards effectively.

Rating 3.0

Standard I: The online teacher demonstrates competency in using data from assessments and other data sources to modify content and to guide student learning.

Strengths:

I can use data resulting from Google Form Quizzes(auto graded with Flubaroo script), close monitoring of LMS Discussion Forums, and individualized communication via email or Google Hangouts to assess students needs and provide differentiated instruction or intervention.

Weaknesses:

My 8 years of teaching in a classroom has given me a lot of experience in modifying instruction based on the data from assessments. With the instant feedback provided from the online assessments, I feel that this will not be an issue and is not an area of weakness.

Rating 3.5

Standard J: The online teacher interacts in a professional, effective manner with colleagues, parents, and other members of the community to support students’ success.

Strengths:

I am an effective communicator that utilizes many tools to support students’ success. I use the Remind101 app to remind students and parents about deadlines and upcoming events. I have used ‘mailchimp’ to deliver large batches of emails to the entire school about important events or information. I am just getting started to use the LMS, “Schoology” with my Computer Literacy to support my students but I have been using Google Sites to house my class website for videos, slides, resources, and calendars of upcoming events. I just recently started incorporating a Google Group Web Discussion Forum embedded in my Google Site to promote class discussions and inquiry.

Weaknesses:

I am very confident in my ability to interact with parents and students using the latest technologies available and see this as one of my biggest strengths.

Rating 4.0

Instructional Design

The following section outlines standards for instructional design skills for the online teacher of record, where applicable. These standards are considered optional, as instructional design does not always fall under online teaching responsibilities.

Standard K: The online teacher arranges media and content to help students and teachers transfer knowledge most effectively in the online environment.

Strengths:

I have a good deal of knowledge of various tools to provide different media and content within an online environment. I have created screencasts using the Educreations and Doceri iPad apps and have used Jing and Screen-Cast-O-Matic for creating screencasts on my desktop for students. I understand the advantageous features of Google Drive with sharing documents, permissions, and inserting voice and text comments to provide feedback, as well.

Weaknesses:

I have taken online classes and used an LMS from a student perspective but I have little experience in using an LMS to create, structure, and arrange content in one. I acknowledge this and I am experimenting with the Schoology LMS to deliver content to my Digital Literacy and C++ Programming classes this semester.

Rating 2.0

Reflection:

After reviewing and reflecting on the iNacol Standards for Quality Online Teaching, I feel that I am prepared to begin the journey as an Online Instructor. I have taught high school math for 8 years and was a computer programmer for 3 years before I started teaching, so I feel confident in my ability to use the technology to create curriculum, communicate with students, and provide an engaging online environment. I also understand that the technology is not the focus, and that our focus should be on the pedagogy and the creation of a student centered online learning environment that allows students to interact with their classmates, the content, and use the technology to create evidences of their learning. Before the IEASC and LEC Program, I had zero experience with a learning environment using an LMS. Since, I have grown familiar with Blackboard and Moodle and have been provided excellent models of the appropriate structure and faciliation of an online course. I will be using the Schoology LMS this semester when I teach my Computer Literacy and C++ Programming Courses this semester. Although, my experience is limited, I feel strongly that I've been given the proper tools to be successful. I am very excited to bring what I have learned to my students, to try different strategies, and to fail at alot of them. However, I plan on constantly asking for feedback from my students to improve as an effective online educator. I will also continue to utilize the amazing PLNs, like Twitter, CUE, and my IEASC cohort, to share my successes and failures and learn from their's as well. With what I lack in experience in delivering online instruction, I will make up for in passion and relentless optimism.