Greetings to everyone! Last week I felt very comfortable in the technical realm. This week, I have been thrust into the world of web logs. This is one of those situations where "never say never" applies. In the world of MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter, I had vowed not to venture into the blogging scene. Well....here I am. :)
I chose 5 RSS feeds to help keep myself informed of current trends in education, educational technology, and online and distance education. All of these have a direct impact on my job as an online educator at Florida Virtual School and I hope they will be beneficial throughout my action research project. Perhaps, they will also be beneficial to you:
Digital Directions: Trends and Advice for K-12 Technology Leaders - The Special Report in the current issue of Digital Directions is titled, "States Eye Standards for Virtual Educators." This site focuses on the integration of technology in our traditional schools (Web 2.01, multimedia, etc.). It also discusses and analyzes virtual learning environments. This feed can be found on the Education Week website, whose mission is to provide information to educators to raise the quality of education.
Digital Education - This is another feed that originates from the Education Week website. This feed also focuses on current trends and hot topics in educational technology. The latest feed discusses Pearson's launch of an iPad history curriculum. In tandem with Digital Directions, this site will help keep me abreast of the current technology.
NPR Series: Innovative Trends in High School - My action research project focuses on increasing the success of my students in an online environment. Most of my students also attend school at a traditional brick-and-mortar building. Therefore, it is important for me to stay connected to what is happening in the "real" (non-virtual) world so that I can help students transition smoothly back and forth between their online and traditional classes.
TeacherTube.com :: This Month's Most Viewed Videos - After the TMD course, I realized that I need to remove barriers between my virtual students and myself. One way that I want to do this, is by creating video help lessons in which I am also on camera interacting with my students. By viewing the "Most Viewed Videos" from TeacherTube, I hope to gain insight as to what types of videos appeal to high school students.
U.S. Department of Education - Changes at DOE affect all of us. For example - As a new phase of the Class Size Amendment has taken place, the result has directly affected me at FLVS. Several of the schools do not have the resources to limit their class size to 25. We are now partnering with several Miami-Dade schools by creating labs in which students are able to take our Algebra II course online within their traditional school day. Algebra II has also become a mandatory course for graduation in Florida for this year's 8th grade students.
I hope you find some of these helpful for your personal use throughout your career and the EMDT program at Full Sail.
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