Kim Beckman

SLM 521

Summer 2005

Elective 11

E-Learning

      I chose to look at two E-Learning programs, one being the Florida Virtual School and the other is Blackboard. I chose the Florida Virtual School because I had read an article about the school. I selected Blackboard because that is what we are using for this course and our school system is going to use the program for math with elementary age students.

           I’ll begin with the Florida Virtual School. I searched the web site for documentation that the school was aligned with the state’s academic standards and NCLB standards and I didn’t find anything quickly. However, I did see a letter from President Bush recommending the program, so I would assume that it is highly qualified. I thought the school looked pretty good. There is a varied selection of courses for high school students to take, for example, art history, physical education, math, social studies, web design and so on. There are even some courses available for middle school students but not as large of a selection. The other plus is that they offer AP classes and AP reviews, which is great for students that live in rural areas. Yes, students that live outside the state can take classes. They also offer GED classes for adult students. It was easy to view the course syllabus for each class. Each class had the scope and sequence, objectives and grading policy clearly stated and posted. There is even a communication and participation requirement for each class. It states that students and instructor must maintain regular contact or the student can be removed from the course. The other thing I liked about the school is that they offer guidance counselors to advise students about online courses. I viewed one of the example courses. It was an AP art History class at the high school level. The reading level was appropriate. The assignment was clearly stated and so was the exam. There were no clear grading standards posted for this particular assignment for the students to view, but the grading system is posted in the course description. It was an essay exam and had to be written in 30 minutes using no notes. Students would have to be on the honor system to follow the testing guidelines. I couldn’t tell if the course could adapt to accommodate students’ learning needs. I guess if a student needed to have the information read to him or her they could ask someone in their home. I couldn’t get a clear look at the assessment feedback, but I would assume that there is because of the requirement that students and instructors maintain contact. As far as the staff being highly qualified, they do offer a profile on each staff member. There is an area to see if your computer had the requirements to take the course and they offer technical support on the phone or on the web. I would give this school a try based on what I looked at today and the article that I read had positive comments about the school.

           Now, for Blackboard. A funny experience while evaluating the two programs, the things I could find easily for one program I couldn’t find easily for the other. For example, Blackboard clearly states that their program meets state and national standard requirements. When I wanted to look at the courses available, the Florida Virtual School provided wonderful examples of the types of classes they offer, but that was not the case with Blackboard. I’m wondering if Blackboard is a place for faculty to create their own online courses? 521 SLM was written by Buddy. The other thing that was clear was that communication between staff and students could easily be done through the discussion board. I know that to be true because I’ve used the discussion board with both of my classes at McDaniel, but I needed the support of instant message. I would not have passed the class without being able to communicate my problems to Buddy without the ability to IM. I feel that Blackboard does cause higher level thinking because you have to be an active participate in the course because you have to communicate what you are thinking. I don’t know if the course could accommodate the needs of every student because not all students can comprehend what they are reading and they would have to rely on someone in the home to read or explain the assignment to them. I know the the teacher could simplify the course for them but I don’t know how easy that would be and how much time.

           In conclusion, I think the two programs I selected are good, but are different. I get the feeling that Blackboard is where faculty can create the class and manage it online. Therefore, the quality of the syllabus, objectives, grading policy and so forth, are the responsibility of the teacher. In my personnel experience with 521 SLM, everything was perfect. I knew what I was to be doing because of the assignment outline, examples of student work, rebus for grading and so on. Whereas the Florida Virtual School offers classes already in place. Students can look through a course schedule and select from it. The Florida Virtual School offered guidance counseling, cost of program, technical support and more. It was a complete package to be sold to interested students and families, whereas, Blackboard is or appears to be marketing to faculties to purchase for their own needs and programs that they create.