Ohio’s On-Line Course to Support New Tech Prep and CTE Teachers NCPN National Conference Cincinnati, Ohio October 24, 2008

Overview & Introductions Welcome: Telling the Story of Our Journey Your Expectations and Ours for this session Level of Comfort with On Line Instruction Overview and Unintended Consequences Before and After: The Manual (300 pages)

Ohio’s Approach to Tech Prep Professional Development Tech Prep Summer Academy Highly regarded 3 day “induction” for new Tech Prep Teachers 13 years trained over 1200 teachers Consortium Sponsored PD Broad range from extensive offerings to financial support only State Sponsored Conferences and Workshops School Improvement Institute State-wide workshops

Impetus for Change Ohio’s Perkins IV Vision All Ohio CTE programs will become Tech Prep by 2014 (Tech Prep currently < 20% of all CTE programs) All Students will have access to Tech Prep Programs (Exit vs. Entrance Requirements)

How does this impact PD? Large number of CTE teachers converting to Tech Prep Retooling current Tech Prep Teachers for more diversified classes Perkins IV emphasis on sustained professional development Flat Funding

The Challenge Scaling up ….with quality ….with affordability

The Vision Develop an on line “repository” of Tech Prep PD chunked into modular units that could be delivered in a variety of instructional formats and content combinations Knowledge of Ohio Tech Prep Ohio Curriculum Content & Processes Instructional Strategies Program Management

Delivery Modes Stand Alone On-line Course (With or Without Credit) “Blended” classroom with on-line work and discussion group Pick and Choose modules to be used based on specific needs of consortia audience.

Building the Team Conceptual and Financial Support of State TP Leadership Decision to Build on successful TP Summer Academy and its instructional team Selecting an on-line course developer and hosting site

Auburn Connect - Who we are?

Our Mission Empower Excel Enrich

What Auburn Connect added to the project? Experience in online learning Technical assistance in delivery Expertise in Course Design Redundancy hosting support Unique curriculum and instructional strategies Rich media streaming content Partnership approach from design to delivery Competitive costs

Choosing a Consultant What do you need to consider? Educators with CTE background Experience with Online Course Designers Cost

Focus on Client’s Goal Present opportunities and strategies to accomplish goals of project through technology Introduce tools to accomplish the goals in a respectful and encouraging way Understand the transition from traditional forms of learning to online learning

Professional Development Experiences

Mandated Professional Development Topics

Training Programs

Why Do Online Professional Development? 24/7 Availability Expandable Format for Future Development Consistent Message Module can be repackaged

Reflection on Experience Supporting Visionary Project Model for future course development Pioneering effort to reshape state wide professional development

Design Process: Old Manual static and usability Issues Limitations of Scope and Accessibility New Program dynamic and interactive Outreach with multiple audiences Systems Approach Teaching and Learning Program Management Team Approach and Technology Impact None of us is as smart as all of us

Structure and Design of On-line Content 1. Develop the on-line structure and ensure a user friendly product:

Structure & Design 2. Address a wide range of teacher skills  most skilled in technology  strangers to navigating around an online course

Structure & Design 3. Adapt a format of lecture, activities, and group discussion into an interactive online environment.

Design Challenge : Transition a live, dynamic program into an equally dynamic and interactive online— digital format Explore how to make the content thorough yet concise Learn how to learn! again and again by challenging our own assumptions about learning and teaching Redesigning a good product to make it even better by listening to participants’ feedback

Develop an online Prize Table

Lessons Learned: Design with conciseness in mind Develop content with web links Create short and succinct presentations Provide assistants such as the Avatar to help focus and guide participants in the content Create with flexibility of use in mind— course can be used in a multitude of ways.

Karen Blocher, Jeff Butler, Carol Larkin, Maggie Lynch, Timothy Nolan,