Get Online!

There are so many benefits to going online for training, learning and orientation in the workplace. Below are just a few benefits and reasons to consider getting online for information, education and extending knowledge.

• Online learning provides flexibility for all of those involved.
  


• It also provides accommodation for different learning styles as well as teaching styles.
  


• Online learning is convenient for all involved.




• The field is ever growing.




• The Internet allows you to reach those less accessible otherwise.

Although online learning may not be for everyone it does provide opportunities that may have been there before. It is an option that is now allowing people to go back to school or participate in a training that wold not have been possible otherwise. Learning is a lifelong process. We do not stop learning just because we graduate or "grow up". We all learn something new everyday and going online makes that learning even more powerful and possible!!! I myself know when I have a question I always "GOOGLE IT"!

Disadvantages of Online Learning

We are all so excited and drawn to the advantages of learning online that we may forget that it isn't for everyone. Below are a few disadvantages of online learning.

• You must be self-motivated! If you are one to procrastinate and lack self motivation, online learning is not for you!!! It is very possible to put an assignment off for a long time in an online class, especially one that does not have assigned times to be turned in.
• If you are not willing to find time to do the work then online learning is not for you! We all have busy schedules. Finding and making time for classes is essential in online learning. You must be prepared to set aside time for classes.
• If you need face-to-face interaction for communication then online learning is not for you! Communication is not absent but may not be immediate either. You have to be willing to be patient for responses to questions that may arise.

Online in the Workplace

Below are some online tools that can be used in the workplace:

Blogs-First of all it is free!! This would be a great tool for bosses to use to communicate with their employees as a whole group and allow feedback through comments! You can post news and upcoming events.

Chat forums-Great for open discussions and allow everyone to express opinions without interruption or feeling like they are being judged. Shouldn't be used as a place to trsh others or the boss but for legitimate discussion (should be monitored).

Training-Less time away from the office or job site! Offers a variety of methods options for employees. Less expense for travel and accomodations for employers and companies.

Orientation-Become acquainted with your work place before staring a job. Help you know the ins and outs before hand. Great way to introduce other employees and their positions. You can go over things in a sset format that otherwise may not be brought up in discussion.

Lifelong Learning

Online learning helps support lifelong learning.

Why is lifelong learning important? We may grow and mature but we never stop learning or we should never stop learning. Wikipedia define lifelong learning as the self motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Also noted by Wikipedia is that lifelong learning helps promote employability and competitiveness.

Learning takes place throughout life not only in childhood and school years. Online classes, trainings or information in general makes information and resources readily available and accessible to everyone which promotes lifelong learning.

This quote by Albert Einstein sums it all up...
"Learning is not a product of schooling but the lifelong attempt to acquire it"

Attitudes Toward Online Learning

Another positive of online learning is the comfortable attitude now associated with it.

Technology is now a part of our everyday lives. People are not as intimidated by the Internet and more comfortable with the reliability of it. Many colleges now use online sites, such as Blackboard, for class information. Colleges are also putting more classes online. Many younger people have grown up with technology making them very comfortable with the idea of learning online.

One reason for a positive attitude toward technology and getting online is the way technology has connected so many people. Facebook has connected me to so many people I have not had contact with in years. It is not just the young but also the older generation that is catching on to technology and social sites. Things like this make individuals more comfortable and create a positive attitude toward technology and learning online.

New and Better Technology

Continuing with the positives of online learning, new and better technology is a constant. There are always new and innovative ways of putting information out there. For example you can blog or whatever from your cell phone!! Technology is continuously growing and changing.

Why is this positive?

I believe you can continuously find new and better ways to reach those that may not be able to participate because of location or other situations. New innovations for collaborating online are being developed. These advances are making it possible for individuals to participate and be part of something that may not have been possible before. This is why new and better technology is a positive in online learning.

Growth of Online Learning

Why the growth in online learning?



According to Getting Online: The Go Project, online learning is in an increased demands for many reasons. First the reduction of travel cost and geographic barriers, as well as accomodation cost. Another reason is the reduction of education cost to participants and the flexibility in learning opportunities. Next there are more learning opportunities now available online as well as access to experts in the subject matters. Finally it is more environmentally friendly and nore accessible to culturally diverse and underserved groups.

The Positives of Online Learning

My next few posts will discuss some of the current positives in online learning.

According to Getting Online:The Go Project the following are positive indicators for online learning:

1. It is growing because of increased demand, low cost and flexibility.
2. There are always new and effective techniques for online learning and it continues to grow.
3. There is a good attitude and comfort with online learning.
4. Online learning helps support lifelong learning.
5. There is a growing need to share resources and practices in online learning.

My next post will discuss (1) the growth of online learning.

Video Tutorials

What kind of information can we pass on to students through a video tutorial?



Through a video tutorial we can show the students proper technique and practice while being engaged in the classroom.

We can present information on DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice), appropriate modeled behaviors, and children's behavior. After presenting the information we can then give video clips showing these examples in the classroom, also followed up with quizzes.

Information can be presented to students through videos as well.

A video tutorial can provide an orientation experience by showing the student important parts of the classroom and the school itself.

Below is an example of a tutorial I made for student teachers with power point. This tutorial will be more complete by adding videos in the content.

Tutorial

Curriculum

The CDRC-Children's Program follows the Creative Curriculum. It will be important for students to understand the basic developmental continuum's set forth by the Creative Curriculum.

Through a power point presentation the online training can cover the basic principles of the curriculum.

Here are the Creative Curriculum's goals and objectives at a glance.

Defining a Student

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the CDRC-Children's Program sees around 800 students come through it's doors a year. In this post I would like to define those students for you.

Observation Students- These are students whose role it is to observe certain children or a set of children from the observation booth with the intent to write a case study or just to take behavioral notes. These students usually do not com into contact with the children unless on the playground. These students would need an orientation and not necessarily a training before coming to CDRC.

Practicum Students- These students will do hands on activities and participate in classroom activities. These students will need a training before entering a classroom setting.

Work-Study- For the most part these students help classroom teachers and the office with paper work and hallway displays. These students are not normally in the classroom but may on occasion be asked to help out in a classroom. These student would need a training before entering a classroom.

Student Interns- Interns are very hands on with the children. Interns spend a majority of their time in the classroom teaching, helping the teachers, and participating in everyday activities. Interns would need a training before entering the classroom but will probably receive one in practicum.

Substitute Teachers- Like interns substitutes are very hands on in the classroom. Substitutes fill in for an absent teacher and take on the role of a teacher in the classroom. Substitutes will need a training before participating in the classroom setting.

Graduate Assistants- GA's are used throughout the center in many capacities from classroom work to running research projects. GA's should also go through a training before entering the classroom.

DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice)

Developmentally Appropriate Practice was popularized by NAEYC and refers to the practice of teaching and responding to children at their developmental level. For example, not all four year olds are on the same developmental level, therefore they should not be expected to be treated the same in all cases. The child is seen as an active learner and participant in the classroom. The teacher is the facilitator of the child's individual learning. DAP assures that teachers do not put too many or inappropriate expectations on a child so the child can learn at his/her own pace without being pushed too early. DAP also enables the child to be seen as an individual learner and to make learning more meaningful.

Sounds pretty simple right? Everyone should feel that way about teaching right? This is not always the case. It is very important to relay this information in our training tutorial to students. It is very easy to be of the mind set that all four year olds can write their name or all one years can walk. Some children's emotions are not quite as developed as others or one child may have excellent motor skills but lacks social skills. This is where the teacher would understand that this particular child may need more attention and help when participating in group setting and playing with other children. It is crucial for teachers and students to realize that not all children develop at the same pace.

This message can be relayed to students during the training by showing examples of teachers responding appropriately to children and modeling appropriate behaviors through videos. By demonstrating this practice to potential student teachers we will be able to prepare the teacher and ensure that the teacher has been properly trained to handle any situation in a developmentally appropriate manner.

University Research-Based School Setting

Having worked for both a university and an outside "regular" school, I understand the differences the two can have. It is important for our student to understand that being a part of a research-based program can be challenging and uncomfortable at times. The same can be said for a "regular" school but for the purposes of preparing a teacher training tutorial we are going to focus our attention on teaching in a university research-based school setting.

As a teacher in a university research-based program you are responsible for teaching the children in your classroom, college lab students, and interns. Being in this setting also means you have eyes on you all day...literally!! Every hour I can have up to 10 students observing my classroom from the observation booth. I also have up to 2 to 3 students doing hands on labs at a time. We also have a research observation booth with cameras and audio equipment for ongoing research projects. This can become overwhelming for new teachers in a classroom. Proper training can help alleviate some of the tension and anxiety that can come from "being watched".

Students who wish to be part of our program must realize as a student teacher, a substitute teacher and a graduate assistant you are held to the same standards as a regular classroom teacher and you are setting a standard, modeling appropriate behavior, and are a member of our team. All of the preceding can be demonstrated through video tutorials and power point presentations to ensure a student is ready to enter the classroom.

An online teacher training tutorial will help ensure students understand the appropriate behaviors policies and guidelines they should follow as a part of the CDRC-Children's Program.

My next post will be a discussion about helping students understand their roles and DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice).

Benefits of Training Online

Personally I believe that training online gives the trainer and trainee more flexibility. It is hard to get everyone in one place. Busy schedules and workloads provide for little extra time for training. Being online allows everyone involved the opportunity to do it on their own best time. With that being said, online training and learning also requires self-motivation and the will do get it done!

Blackboard.com provides a tip sheet for the educational benefits for online learning. One of the benefits mentioned is "providing 24/7 access to course materials". I like this because the best time for someone to log in and get involved may not be a great time for someone else.

I know as a teacher myself the last thing I want to do when I get off work is to have to and sit through a 2 hour training session. I believe the same goes for a college students. So an added benefit, according to Blackboard.com, is the "removal of reliance on physical attendance".

Another benefit, according to Blackboard.com, is "accommodating different learning styles". Through online training one can "go back" if they have missed something. For visual learners there is video tutorials and power point slides. For audio learners there is voice overs and guided messages over video. Where one student may take everything in at once, another student may prefer to absorb information in small chunks. Online learning provides for all different types of learning styles.

So the benefits of online learning appear to be (1.) flexibility for everyone involoved (2.) no need for physical attendance and (3.) accommodating of different learning styles. This wasn't mentioned in the articles but I personally believe accommodating for different teaching styles can also be a benefit for the instructors as well.

NAEYC

The CDRC-Children's Program is accredited through NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).



It is very important for our students to know and understand the guidelines by which we function everyday! Below are the standards set forth by NAEYC:



1. Promoting child development and learning

2. Buliding family and community relationships

3.Observing, documenting and assessing to support young children and families
4. Teaching and learning
Sub-standard A-Connecting with children and families
Sub-standard B-Using developmentally effective approaches
Sub-standard C-Understanding content knowledge in early education
Sub-standard D-Buliding meaningful curriculum
5.Becoming a professional

NAEYC also has a code of ethics which I have attached here for you to view if interested.

It will be crucial for students to grasp the importance of NAEYC and the role of NAEYC in the CDRC-Children's Program. The CDRC strives to live by these guidelines and ethical daily.

Why Online Training?

Thank you for joining me!

The University of Alabama Child Development Research Center sees almost 800 students come through its doors every year. We find it extremely important for students to understand appropriate behaviors while being around young children. Over the years we have provided orientations for all different types of students in Human Development and Family Studies as well as education and psychology. Providing these orientations can be time consuming and not all students choose to show up. Also, escorting these students in the hallway during school hours can be overwhelming for the children and teachers as well as disruptive to classroom activities. So, I have decided to try to come up with an on-line version of our orientation for our students. These students can include observation students, practicum students, student interns, substitute teachers, graduate students, and work study students. For the students that will be more hands on with the children (interns, practicums, substitutes, graduate students) I think an interactive online training can be very beneficial. Through these trainings we can provide the students with modeled behavior, examples of classroom activities, curriculum, school policies and procedures and daily schedules. These trainings can be provided through video tutorials, power points and short Q and A sections.

Student can also be provided with helpful websites such as NAEYC to become more acquainted with our accreditation criteria.