By Fran Trees
We are living in a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. With expanding technology comes an exponentially growing number of virtual schools and K-12 learning programs that blend on-line or distance learning with traditional classroom environments.
With the financial challenges facing some schools, elective programs are being cut and courses with small enrollments are being cancelled. Our students are being deprived of exciting and valuable learning experiences. Computer science is an elective course in most states. Although some schools are lucky enough to have administrations and communities that value our discipline, many schools are dropping computer science courses and programs. This worries me terribly.
I find myself wondering if there are ways that the needs and interests of students in schools lacking a computer science curriculum might be met by virtual courses. I don’t know a great deal about virtual schools, virtual courses, or virtual teachers. So, I asked a two friends of mine, Bob Getka (Florida Virtual Schools) and Shermonica Pittman (The Keystone School) to educate me. I include my questions and their answers below:
What exactly is the role of a virtual teacher?
Bob: A virtual teacher has many of the same roles as a traditional teacher, but these roles can be widely different within one “classroom”. Some students may just need that guide on the side and be able to grasp most if not all of the concepts as they go through the course while other students need constant intervention. It can really be almost an individualized learning plan for each student.
Shermonica: Unlike a traditional teacher, a virtual teacher usually does not have to develop course content such as lessons and exams. These are done by the course development team with input from a subject matter expert (who may also teach the course when it’s complete). The role of the virtual teacher is to grade student work and provide thoughtful, targeted, and specific feedback that both gives praise and constructive criticism. In addition, the online teacher responds to student questions. A good online teacher can explain the lesson content in several different ways both verbally and in writing.
How does the virtual teacher’s instructions style have to change to meet the needs of their students?
Bob:A virtual teacher cannot be a one size fits all person, they must be able to make adjustments on an individual basis for each student.
Shermonica: An online teacher needs to be creative and have good grasp of technology. Creating videos to supplement the prepared content is a good way to further explain difficult concepts. However, a video of a teacher simply talking is usually not that effective. Videos that feature screen captures of the teacher writing and explaining code and visual representations of concepts (such as an array or linked list) can be very effective. Learning to use tools such as IM, Skype, and Elluminate Live will allow teachers to communicate with students in real time. An online teacher also needs to learn to decorate their online classroom. Many online courses include an area for a banner and announcements. This is usually the first thing a student sees. Thus, creating banners and announcements allow online teachers to decorate their classroom.
Do virtual teachers collaborate with other virtual teachers in design or development of course materials?
Shermonica: The answer to this is both yes and no. While this is possible, it is not as likely to occur as it would in a traditional school building. Also, keep in mind that just like in a traditional school there may be only one Computer Science teacher. At my school there are quarterly meetings for all teachers and monthly meeting for all full time teachers. During this time we do collaborate and share ideas.
Bob: I have not been involved in the development of a course but I have been involved in rolling out new courses. The teachers who develop and then teach a course are in contact with those teaching the course and I do feel like I have the support of other teachers within my area in my school.
I create a feeling of community in my classroom. I worry about the virtual teacher’s rapport with the student and the communication among the students in a virtual environment.
Shermonica: This can be difficult. However, my school is committed to creating an online community. Thus we have a Facebook presence, an online student newspaper, a Biology Club, a community Service Club, a Photography Club, and a school wide discussion board. In my own classes there are discussion boards just for students in that particular class. Students who wish can show of cool programs they’ve written.
Bob: This is definitely something that is much harder to create with an online situation. But, early assignments can be made which give a teacher a window into a student’s life. I do know that one of my students was in the state finals in basketball in Maryland, another from New York participated in a MIT competition. Yet another is constantly Googling items and sending them to me to see how they work in programs, just like they would in regular classrooms.
I wonder about the type of student that succeeds in a virtual environment. I wonder more about the type of student who doesn’t succeed in such an environment.
Shermonica: Students who are not self-motivated and do not like to read will usually not do well.
Bob: Kids who flourish in an online environment are those that feel like they are being slowed down in a traditional classroom. I had a student a couple of years ago who really wanted to learn Qbasic so he signed up for the course and spent 70 hours over Christmas break and slam dunked the half-credit course! He would have never been able to move so fast in a traditional classroom. Kids who do not succeed are mostly kids who just lose contact with the course.
How does a virtual teacher encourage the students to assume responsibility for their own learning ?
Shermonica: This is stressed in an online classroom. At my school, the enrolment material explains that a student must ask for help. In addition to this, a good online teacher will contact struggling students to offer assistance. My school makes this easy by providing a report of students who are not progressing well. However, it is till up to the student to ask for the help.
Bob: This one is much easier in an online world. The whole curriculum is usually in front of the student at the beginning of the course and starting with the welcome call, the teacher puts the responsibility right on the student.
What does the virtual teacher value about the virtual classroom?
Shermonica:I can’t speak for everyone, but what I value is the ability to concentrate on teaching my subject. I’ve spent up to an hour or more with a single student explaining a concept. Using Elluminate Live I can communicate with students in real time using a microphone. Students can communicate with me using a microphone or the instant messaging feature. In addition, there is an electronic whiteboard that we both can use. I can even share my screen so that the student can see what I am doing. It’s often fun to write programs with a student in this way.
In a traditional classroom my attention was spilt between the entire class, and often my attention was directed toward controlling a few unruly students. In the virtual classroom I can work with students one on one. Thus the pace is geared toward the individual student.
Bob: There are so many new software pieces that have been developed that allow teachers and students to use so many different “classrooms” now that most kids can find their niche within the virtual world.
What makes a good virtual experience? Does the virtual teacher have bad days or frustrating experiences?
Shermonica: Every teacher has bad days and frustrating experiences and this is no different for online teachers. It’s frustrating when students do not ask for help or try to cheat.
Bob: It was very neat to see once again, the responses to the students as they end the year and take the AP Exam and feel like they were prepared and did well on that exam. Just like in the traditional world, when a teacher finds a student has copied or finds that a student is not being truthful with his/her parents, it can be frustrating
How does a teacher who is dynamic, outgoing, and just plain fun in the classroom setting achieve the same type of success in a virtual classroom?
Shermonica: A virtual teacher can be successful by promptly answering student questions and providing good feedback on assignments. It’s encouraging to see students use the feedback you have given them to make progress over time. A good online teacher will also always look for ways to add extra content to the class. Ongoing professional development is also important to stay sharp.
Bob: It can happen, it is just different! I am the chess club sponsor at my F2F school, if I taught full time I am sure I would do the same at my online school. Little things like this to make connections I see happening within the school I work for!
About these virtual teachers:
Shermonica Pittman: I have been teaching for the past 8 years. Currently I live in Rockland County, New York and teach online form home. I teach 7th Grade English, AP Computer Science, Visual Basic Programming, Java Programming, World Literature, Digital Video Production, and Web Design for The Keystone School which is a regionally accredited middle and high school that serves students in all 50 states and around the world. I am certified to teach English in Kansas, Pennsylvania and Florida. I have a Computer Science certification from the state of Florida and a Technology certification from Kansas and Pennsylvania. I earned my undergraduate degree in Computer and Information Science from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida and my graduate degree in Educational Technology Leadership from the George Washington University in Washington.
Bob Getka: I have been teaching Mathematics and Computer Science for more than 20 years, having taught in Rockford West High School (IL), Naples High School (FL), Parker High School (WI), and Florida Virtual School. I helped the Wisconsin district develop their own Virtual Academy in ’06 and am currently assigned its math teacher for two periods in the morning, returning to teach computer science at Parker for the rest of the day. I have served as a reader for AP CS Exam for10 years, the last 7 of which were as a question leader. I have an undergraduate degree from Rockford College with a BS in math/computer science and minors in business administration and education. My Masters degree is in Instructional Technologies from University of South Florida. In addition to teaching, I worked for 1 ½ years as a programmer at a bank.
Thanks to Shermonica and Bob for this information.
Please share your virtual school experiences or your thoughts about virtual schools.
Fran Trees
CSTA Chapter Liaison