Now that you know a little more about my day job, there are many reasons why a hybrid style class is the most useful platform for both my learning style and for my future classes. Although the results of my online learning assessment, score 168, does not demonstrate a readiness for online learning; my resume and history of online coursework prove my ability. For example, as a special education teacher, we are expected to clear two credentials through the state through completion of required coursework. For both teaching credentials, I took online classes to complete the necessary requirements due to the flexible mode and my learning style. The transcript of my masters level coursework demonstrates mastery of online learning since I've earned only A's in online coursework, which is at least eight classes. Thus, my reasons for taking Tech Connect 2.0 are plentiful and fruitful.
I decided to take the Tech Connect 2.0 class for many reasons. First of all, I am interested in developing a better medium for reaching the student learners whom are on my IEP caseload. In order to reach this goal, I plan to gather input from my students about their interest in taking a hybrid course and how we could structure a learning course that was created to develop a students' communication deficit via less face-to-face interaction (this seems impractical, however written communication skills are important hard skills). Secondly, I am part of a cohort that is in the processing of getting an "Outside the Box" curriculum option for students earning a high school diploma approved, which will require hybrid courses. Therefore, we will need to recruit teachers to teach hybrid/ online courses, and as a team member, this provides me with an opportunity to lead a course. Finally, my learning goal outcome for Tech Connect 2.0 is to explore examples of effective practices, so I can become a better practitioner of the various online forums, even google skills, in order to develop my online communication skills.
On a related note, I'd like to gain input from students for how to make schoology a more student-friendly forum. Being an IEP case manager, I've noticed that there is no consistency between teacher use of the platform, and would like student input for how to streamline this teaching tool.
