Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
Tight Budget Loosens Creativity
School turns to distance learning to stretch development dollars
By Learning Forward
February 2012
Vol. 33 No. 1
Read the remaining content with membership access. Join or log in below to continue.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.
Recommendations For Distance Learning Sessions
| 1. Establish a relationship with the people involved. Learning requires risk taking, and teachers must trust the person who will be nudging them to consider new ideas and try new practices. Schedule at least one face-to-face session with a facilitator before beginning distance learning. | 2. Choose a topic of study for distance learning that requires and benefits from active participation by teachers, such as discussion of assessment results, analysis of student work, collaborative planning, or discussion of an article read prior to the distance learning session. | 3. Short, focused sessions work well for distance learning. These sessions can be conducted during a team’s planning period or after school to avoid the cost of substitute teachers and loss of instructional time. | 4. Designate an individual or individuals who will prepare and set up for distance learning sessions, facilitate the sessions, and coordinate follow-up activities. These roles provide valuable teacher leadership experiences and can build capacity for teacher-directed professional learning. |
Lesson Study Cycle
1. Teams collaboratively plan a lesson prior to the arrival of the consultant.
2. Schedule for lesson study session with consultant:
- Teachers provide an overview of the lesson for consultant. (15 minutes)
- Lesson is taught in one teacher’s classroom while others observe and take notes on student learning. (60 minutes)
- Teachers debrief about the impact of the lesson on student learning and refine the lesson. (45 minutes)
3. All teachers who observed the original lesson teach the revised lesson to their classes within two days.
4. Teams meet to discuss the impact of the revised lesson on student learning.
McWhirter Elementary Professional Development Laboratory School
Webster, Texas
Enrollment: 950
Staff: 100
Racial/ethnic mix:
White: 15%
Black: 15%
Hispanic: 67%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1%
Native American: 0%
Other: 2%
Limited English proficient: 52%
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Free/reduced lunch: 78%
Special education: 10%
Contact: Sue Chapman, instructional supervisor
E-mail: slchapma@ccisd.net
Free Distance Learning Services
This selection of free services includes some that use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones — phones that function like a traditional phone but use the Internet rather than phone lines to transmit data — as well as video and audio services that use your computer and its camera and microphone.
| Name, web address | Cost | Windows | Mac | Voice | Video | Notes: |
| Callcentric www.callcentric.com |
Free between Callcentric members | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Basic VoIP phone to VoIP phone service. Users can use a VoIP phone connected to their router using a telephone adapter or use the Callcentric software program to make calls. |
| FaceFlowwww.faceflow.com | Free | Yes | Yes | Within Video | Yes | Video chat live with up to four people for free. No download required because you use your browser. Quickly video chat online with a friend by simply sharing a link. |
| Google Talkwww.google.com/talk/ | Free | Yes | No | Yes | No | Chat/text from your desktop. Send and receive files. Requires software download. |
| Google +https://plus.google.com/ | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Works within Gmail and iGoogle. Requires a plug-in download. |
| iChathttps://support.apple.com/kb/HT2515 | Free | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Works with your AIM account and makes it easy to stay in touch with others using text and video, whether they’re on a Mac or a PC. |
| JAJAHwww.jajah.com/products/web | Free between JAJAH users | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | From the web, you can initiate a call, no download, no software installation required. Use any phone. Select your own phone number, then select the phone number you want to call, press the green call button: Your phone will ring then the other phone will ring; answer and start talking. Can be used for conference calls and scheduled calls. |
| ooVoowww.oovoo.com/home.aspx | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Call up to six people at one time. Record and store audio and video calls. Requires software download. If someone on your list doesn’t have a video camera, he or she can still have a one-way video chat and hear your voice over this service. |
| Skypewww.skype.com/intl/en/home?intcmp =wlogo |
Free for one-to-one Skype users | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Requires software download. Premium service (monthly cost or a one-day-pass) for group video service. |
| Vbuzzerwww.vbuzzer.com/conferencing/web_conferencing.php | Free for conferences of up to four parties with instant messages, voice chat, and videoconferencing capabilities. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Hold multimedia conference calls within your web browser with no special installation or configuration needed. To use videoconferencing, JavaScript must be enabled as well as Adobe Flash Player 9. |
| Voipbusterwww.voipbuster.com/en | Free between VoipBuster users | Yes | No | Yes | No | Requires software download. |
| WalkieTalkiewww.domain17.net/walkietalkie | Free between WalkieTalkie users | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Requires software download. High-quality, very low-latency audio. No sign-up or registration necessary, just pick a username and start calling |
References
Bernhardt, V. (2008). Data analysis. In L.B. Easton (Ed.), Powerful designs for professional learning. Oxford, OH: NSDC.
Hirsh, S. & Killion, J. (2007). The learning educator: A new era in professional learning. Oxford, OH: NSDC.
Lewis, C.C. & Hurd, J. (2011). Lesson study step by step: How teacher learning communities improve instruction. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Sparks, D. (2007). Leading for results: Transforming teaching, learning, and relationships in schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press & NSDC.
Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.
CURRENT ISSUE
Recent Issues
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
December 2023
Professional learning can open up new roles and challenges and help...
REACHING ALL LEARNERS
October 2023
Both special education and general education teachers need support to help...
THE TIME DILEMMA
August 2023
Prioritizing professional learning time is an investment in educators and...
ACCELERATING LEARNING
June 2023
Acceleration aims to ensure all students overcome learning gaps to do...
