What an amazing journey! I have made it to month 11, almost unscathed. It has been a hugely fast paced, eye popping experience.
What I have been truly amazed at is the way each of the Course Directors has maintained a sense of community in an online class. Part of my CBR project is looking at ways I can use long distance learning (LDL) to promote engagement and motivation for my students. Some my wonder why would be a viable option in high school. My thought is, they have never been involved in the lives of Title 1 students. For clarification, in Texas, a Title 1 school is made of high risk, minority male and females where at least 70% are on free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch. For most of my students these are the only meals they get each day. On the weekend, I shudder to think/know what/if they are eating. I have approximately 90 students in my program. Of those 90, some are mothers and fathers. Some work from 10:00 pm - 6:00 am then come to school. Others are in jail. I view LDL as a way to keep those KIDS, yes they are still 14-19 year old young adults, connected to me which equates to being able to engage and motivate them to graduate from high school.
I really look forward to taking what I have learned, the experiences I have had and incorporating them even further in to my curriculum.
Great project idea... one thing to remember when doing what is essentially community outreach using technology is that sometimes it's the more simple tools like email that work far better than creating really complete and complex LMSs. Good luck.
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