Navigate 3.1.4 – LMS Reporting Quest

What are the options for grade reporting? Are there various levels? Which levels remain most valuable for the online instructor in regard to student performance?

Coursesites by Blackboard has many options for reporting: 
1. By User
2. By Assignment
3. Course vs. Goals / Standards for the Course
4. Summary of User Activity
5. Student Overview per Course
6. User Activity
7. User Groups 

and many, many more options within the LMS for teachers to access. It also has a feature to search for keywords within the reports in order to generate more specific reports. Coursesites also has a full grade center where the teacher can set up the grade book to their preferences. From there, teachers can pull various reports for each assignment / class / or student. There are many valuable levels to the grade center in Coursesites including one where the teacher can work offline if necessary. The grade book and grade averages seem to be the first thing that would provide data for teachers, but I also like the feature that aligns the work in the course to the standards and goals of the course. That seems like a valuable tool for checking the rigor of the course.  

Navigate 3.1.3 – Tools within the LMS Quest

Blackboard has a plethora of free tools that it's almost overwhelming for a first time user. During the quest, I had to stop and read about each tool before I knew what it did and whether I used it. I used the videos and Blackboard Help longer than it took me to build the shell of the course. Experienced users would see this as a plus, but newer users may be unsure of how to operate the tool effectively.

Most Valuable Tools	Least Valuable Tools
In Blackboard, it allowed me to attach documents, even from Google. I could link my Google account with the Blackboard account.	Difficult inviting students to the course unless the instructor had rosters already in a format appropriate for uploads.
Discussion Threads / Blog / IM / Email- Blackboard has them all, and they are simple to set-up and use.	So many options for organizing the course. It seems like a good thing, but it takes a lot of time and can be very overwhelming to first time users.
Created / Integrated Content- If the instructor uses a certain textbook or workbook, they can search within the LMS to attach those texts to the course.	The survey feature was more difficult to use than say Google Forms; However, the instructor could link a Google Forms into the LMS.

Navigate 3.1.2 – Creation and Investigation into Courses Quest

I chose Blackboard. I made the class shell with no problem, but then I struggled with how to share the course shell on my blog. It seems to be made more for inviting particular students, and then those students must have a Blackboard account. The course is in Blackboard. It's open to the public. It is called AP Literature (3535).

I created several features and uploaded some documents into the shell. First, I added a course description taken from the College Board site. Then, I uploaded my syllabus as a PDF under content. I also created a survey within Blackboard for students to take for the first day of the course. I also created an assignment as well for students to read a novel and prepare discussion questions and answers for the novel. These questions could be used in a face-face meeting or a synchronous meeting.

Navigate 3.1.1 – LMS Tool Categories Quest

 Discuss the most relevant features offered in an LMS, which relate directly to effective online instruction. How might these be used in the online environment?

I think it's most important that all of the tools and features work together in an LMS for it to be as effective as possible. Although some tools may seem more pertinent than others, they all work in a supporting role. Online learning is no different than a brick and mortar school in that all of the systems must work together to achieve a unified goal. Although student learning takes a starring role, all of the other systems in the school work to support that. 

I do believe there are some must-haves for the LMS to be as effective as possible, depending on the point of view. From everyone's stand-point, the content and course material must be accurate, accessible, engaging, and appropriate for the level of learner. However, to a teacher, the next important tool may be the Teacher Resources. From that point of view, those tools can be used to save time and work more efficiently. An administrator may be more interested in the safety features and the digital literacy piece of the LMS. Again proving that all the tools must work together to create the most effective LMS.  

Navigate 4.1.1 – Trend Impact Quest

Flipped Classrooms

One trend that I see growing, on a national and local scale, is classroom flipping. Although some teachers, myself included, may not have fully flipped their classrooms, many of the strategies and uses of technology we discuss in faculty and departmental meetings focus on how to integrate technology into the course. Many veterans, along with induction level teachers, are now understanding the benefits of using online media, lecture videos, and web content to engage students in the material outside of the class. Although flipped classrooms started with science and math, I see a trend of other teachers engaging in flipping elements, if not all, of their course and sharing those successes with their peers.

Another trend that I see is a larger choice in courses offered if students are willing to participate in online learning. Although my school system offers a small number of the almost forty Advanced Placement classes, we technically can offer all of them through online learning if students are willing to take a non-traditional course. Overall, technology expands the choices we can offer to students, providing more equity and more access to rigorous courses.

Navigate 3.2.1 – Tools for Deciding on an LMS Quest

Top LMS/CMS Vendors: K12

1. Litmos 

This LMS allows teachers to train online, through cloud-based training, a perfect application if it's difficult and/or expensive to get all of the teacher together for a training. Also, it would help in a system where IT support was under-staffed. I also like the fact that Litmos works on most operating systems, iPhone, iPad, and Android. Since many students use their phones to access online content, this seems like it would work well from a student stand-point. From a teacher stand-point, creating courses takes only a few minutes and it has a very intuitive platform. 

2. Spoke

When trying to get teacher buy-in a line like: "The world's simplest LMS" is appealing. Also, it uses gamification platforms to keep students engaged and interested. I also like that it's easy to collaborate on this LMS and has a news feed feature as well. From a teacher point of view, I really like the reports that the instructor can pull easily. This program collects the data and makes it easy to export. 

3. Edsby 

This was made with K12 education in mind. Due to that, it works well for the student, teacher, and parent. It's very easy to add students to the classroom and it's easy for students to collaborate through social feeds. Also, it works really well on mobile devices because again, most parents and students are using those to access the materials. Plus, they include engagement data from school systems which would be a bonus when trying to adopt this system.

 

Navigate 2.1.4 – Lecture Capture Quest

I have been researching Lecture Capture for a year or so because I enjoy including clips of lectures in my lessons. Often, it's a great activating activity to get students talking about the issue or essential objective for the day. For example, I love using small clips from TED talks to make the issues we are discussing relevant. However, I have never actually captured one of my own lectures, mainly because I don't lecture that often. I prefer activities where the students are hands-on and either reading, researching, or discussing. However, when I do choose to use Lecture Capture, below are some important things to remember. 

• How would the resource function in the online classroom?

Lecture Capture should be used in the online classroom because students still need an instructor, even if the instructor isn't there face-to-face. As teachers use Lecture Capture, they should make sure that students are able to interact, making the exchange a two way communication. Teachers should also keep in mind that students want to see their teacher, not a stranger from Yale. Although the lecture or lecturer may be world renowned, students want to see their own teacher presenting the information. Lastly, teachers should remember to update the content of their lectures. Although they may choose to archive them as a student resource, teachers can not just make one video and be done for the next 30 years. They must update their videos to continue to engage students. 

• How would the integration of Lecture Capture modify teaching methods?

One thing is accountability, making sure that students are accessing the information and internalizing the information. Often, we feel sure that in face-to-face interactions, students are receiving the messages, but often they are not. In online interactions, teachers must have checks in place to ensure that students understand the material, good practice in any course. Also, teachers must ensure that students are able to participate and communicate with other members of the course and the instructor. It may also allow teachers to implement a flipped classroom, where students engage in the discussion and hands-on discovery during face-to-face meetings because they have already gathered the material online through lecture capture. 

Navigate 2.1.2 – Recorded Session Quest

Jing Recording: Heart of Darkness

Discuss the experiences with this quest and the process of recording a session. Was the task easy? Challenging? Did the process present problems? 

After I selected Jing, the task was not as easy as I thought. Although I knew what I wanted to say, I was nervous trying to make sure I didn't make a mistake. It was also unusual hearing my own voice. Although it gave me the student perspective, I didn't like hearing it at first. The only problem that I encountered while creating the Jing screen capture, was I needed to scroll to the bottom of the page. Also, the information took more than 5 minutes to record, so I had to do two of them to get all of the information for the students. As I do more of these, I would like to do some recordings of me naturally lecturing instead of sitting and talking without an audience. I feel that it would sound more natural that way. It would be great if students were able to give feedback as well. 

Navigate 2.1.3 – Commercial versus Open Virtual Classrooms Quest

An open source application would take precedence over a commercial product when: 

• Limited funds or resources are available 
• Limited participants required
• Limited time frame to set  up course
• All participants using the same applications

Strengths

Open Source	Commercial Product
Free	Works on multiple operating systems.
Secure	Secure
Easy Access /  Sign-Up	Customization
	Technical Support / Updates

Weaknesses

Open Source	Commercial Product
May only work with specific operating systems.	Costly
Limited number of participants for free and/or applications.	Requires Buy-In of Participants
Lack of Customization	Making a Long-Term Commitment

Navigate 2.1.1 – Delivery Methods and the Synchronous Vendor Market Quest

Compose a blog post regarding the available options in the synchronous delivery market for learning. 

Web Conference Tools

1. Go to Meeting

Allows participants to meet face to face, share their screens, and hear clear audio of the other participants. Participants can also record the meeting to share with those who missed the meeting or for documentation. Go to Meeting has a free trial, but then a cost is required to continue to use the tool.   

2. Goggle Hangout 

Users can do the same things that Go to Meeting does. Go to Meeting was established with a business model in mind; whereas Hangouts is more of an extension of chat. Hangout is free with a Google Account. 

3. FaceTime

For Apple users, FaceTime is a one-on-one option for conferencing. Although others can be included in the conference, it works best one-on-one. Again, users must use Apple products.  

Virtual Collaborative Tools

1. Google Docs / Slides

Students can collaborate in real time using Google Drive. Again, this is a free option with a Google account. 

2. Padlet

Students can brainstorm on a topic or image in real time using Padlet. Students can use this tool to create mindmaps and post images. Again this is a free tool. 

Navigate 1.3.1 – Discussing the LMS and CMS Quest

Reflect upon the role of the LMS within online education. 

Learning management systems have a role in online education, just as content management systems. Although CMS may work in certain situations, LMS allow instructors and courses creators to create, organize and sequence more content. 


When would one need a full blown LMS?

Learning management systems work best for learning environments that have limited face-to-face interaction. For example, companies that wish to provide a curriculum of training for employees across the country, may want to use a LMS to deliver the curriculum. It also works well for students who wish to progress through the course work at their own pace.  In an LMS, instructors and course creators can lay out the course requirements and sequence of courses for students to progress through. 

LMS vs. CMS

LMS	CMS
More Robust	More Narrow in Scope
More Secure	Less Secure
Organized	Tool to Compile Content

Navigate 1.2.1 – Describe Roles and Functions in Online Learning Environments Quest

Roles and Responsibilities in Online Learning Communities 

Administrator: 

• Create positive online culture / proper behaviors
• Monitor online learning community 
• Communicate and Maximize Buy-In 

Course Developer: 

• Produce engaging content
• Produce accurate content
• Produce accessible content

Teacher Role: 

• Monitor student progress
• Provide grades and feedback 
• Manage content 

Student Role:

• Log-in and access often
• Navigate successfully 
• View grades and feedback  

Student Facilitator: 

• Enroll students
• Collect Fees
• Trouble-Shoot / Communicate 

Parent / Guardian:

• Understand accessibility and features
• Monitor safety and etiquette 
• Communicate with teacher / student 

Navigate 1.1.1 – Delineating Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Content Quest

Synchronous and Asynchronous Content

Synchronous

Pros	Cons
Class Discussions	Requires Fast Connectivity
Saves Travel Time / To/From Class	Fast-Paced
Visual Learning Opportunities	In-Flexible Schedule
More Structure	Technology Malfunctions / Glitches

Asynchronous 

Pros	Cons
Equal Participation / Less Pressure	Lack of Face-to-Face Time
Flexible Schedule	Less Structure
Saves Travel Time / To/From Class	Requires More Discipline
More Time to Review Material	No Immediate Feedback

As you read these lists, a con I have listed, may seem like a pro for you or vice-versa. That tends to be the case with synchronous and asynchronous learning. Each learner must choose which style works best for them or engage in a course that uses mixed-methods with asynchronous with some synchronous meetings.