World of Learning Institute Podcast and Newsletter
We Do This Everyday!
We Do This Everyday #11
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We Do This Everyday #11

The Why of Creating an Asynchronous Course - The Community of Inquiry Model
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***my microphone was on low… it’s not your hearing. I will get it right next time.

I had the chance to spend some time talking with Chris David an IU8 Virtual Learning Specialist and Olivia Grugan from the World of Learning recently. It reminded me how important it is to make the time to have conversations with our peers and to vet our ideas. The conversations I have and have had with Chris have always helped to met stretch my thinking and make me a better educator. No wonder so many people rely on her for professional learning and staff development

As you listen to this podcast I think you will see why!

Olivia has been asking Chris a lot of questions and learning about the importance of engagement in the online learning world. Their conversations are a real jewel - I look forward to any time I get to think with them!

Here are a few takeaways from this conversation:

  • Chris and Olivia love their jobs as Virtual Learning Specialists - they can really dive deeply into projects they work on that help create authentic, relevant, and engaging learning experiences. 

  • Olivia was interested in the Foundation of 6Es which we use in our asynchronous World of Learning Institute courses. Chris explained the beginnings of the 6E thinking.

    • What are the Es at IU8?

    • Adapted from the BSCS 5E Model (we added “express” and modified the role/purpose of some existing Es)

    • CoI Model - why it matters (from study pub in 2008 into online learning)

    • NSQ - Nat’l Standards for Quality Online Courses (Quality Matters + others refreshed iNacol/Aurora standards for K-12 online courses/teaching/programs) 

  • Predictability is important, but the model you use or we use does not always have to be followed. In order to create a good learning experience, you have to critically evaluate what you want to include and why.

  • Figuring out how to use the virtual classroom provides a lot of questions - it's a ‘good struggle’. As a leader providing a framework for a virtual experience can take away the creativity of teachers. It is important to keep the door open and remember that there are no ‘final’ ways that a course can look. It can have many iterations. 

  • We really dug into the value of using The Community of Inquiry Model for Online Learning by Garrison, Anderson, and Archer, 2001 for building and creating an engaging asynchronous learning environment. 

    • Not only does this model require the full participation of the teacher and learner, but it also creates a model for full inclusion. Read more here.

    • If you would like to talk with any of us about how you could work with your school could use this model in the brick and mortar setting please contact us.

  • The BIG question - what happens if you take one part of the circle out?

     

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Leadership Corner

JoltEDU is a professional learning community that Chris Davis and Jennifer Anderson are leading at IU8. Consider how you can help yourself or your staff grow with microlearning! JoltEDU offers short, on-demand micro-courses about topics teachers need today, empowering them to learn a new strategy in an hour or less. Micro-courses include downloadable resources to use in the classroom right away.

A Jolt for Virtual Learning
Preparing instruction for virtual learning can be a bit daunting. There is a learning curve that happens when you transition from face-to-face instruction to flipping your class or just offering content that students can access any time. You want to be sure that teachers feel supported in the transition. Check out this Virtual Learning Design Series in JoltEDU to help your teachers get started. 

Our micro-courses are a great way to offer choice and flexibility for teachers on in-service days. As you plan your days for the close of this school year or gear up for 2022-23, let us help you bring short, practical bursts of professional learning to your school. Contact Chris Davis to subscribe today!  

Chris Davis
Virtual Learning Specialist, IU8 & JoltEDU
cdavis@iu08.org | 570-243-1003

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World of Learning Institute Podcast and Newsletter
We Do This Everyday!
We do our best each day to be authentic, relevant and engaging in the virtual education space. This podcast will help you see that you, too, can survive and thrive in the new and evolving world of blended and hybrid platforms for learning.
For many years the WOL Institute has provided the BEST in online virtual learning for K-12 schools. We hope our experience in the virtual world will help you navigate and succeed.