Module 11_2: GAVs Analysis

Module 11_2 – GAVs Analysis

Most Surprising Aspect

The most surprising aspect of GAVs for me is the structure and organization of the course.  I did not expect the highschool course to be organized similarly to the courses I take online.  However, not only does GAVs have some of the same elements and features, but GAVs also offers a plethora of information inside each learning module.  I was surprised at how intense and informative some of the economics modules were. 

In addition to structure and organization, it also surprised me that the teacher is not the sole instructional designer for the class (which would be a lot of work).  I always thought that an online instructor designed his course from beginning to end.  Instead, through GAVs I learned that the modules are already designed, and the teacher acts as a facilitator to deliver the information.  However, the teacher does have some autonomy with discussion posts, how tasks are approached, the news bulletins, due dates, and how assignments are turned in.  Just like a face-to-face curriculum that is given to the teacher, GAVs provides the curriculum and leaves it up to the teacher to make it his own.

Positive Attributes

I love the flexibility of online teaching.  Both students and teachers essentially work at their own pace.  I like that students can go back through any of the modules when they need to review, and that the teacher can provide feedback to students via the course platform.

GAVs introduces students to a lot of instructional technology tools that can be utilized to complete assignments.  Online teaching gives teachers the opportunity to assign more tasks that utilize Web 2.0 tools.  To me, this integration of technology into content is very important, and seems easier to do in a virtual environment.

Negative Attributes

As I completed an assignment for this course, I went into the logistics part of the site in which I am interning.  I noticed that there were some students that did not log in very often.  When I initially interviewed my mentor teacher, we discussed some of these issues.  I still have not come up with ways to ensure that students are utilizing what is being offered in the online environment other than to make sure the material is engaging.  My mentor teacher has engaging material but still has some students that do not log in very often.  The downside to teaching online is managing student participation.

My Interest in Online Teaching

GAVs has actually increased my interest in online teaching.  I would love to facilitate group discussions, integrate technology into my instruction, and collaborate virually.  Plus, I am interested in the flexibility that GAVs offers.  Teachers do not have to be in one central location as lessons, meetings and professional development are held online.  I have spent a number of years face-to-face. I would welcome the opportunity to teach in a new environment.  From my experience throught this internship, online teachers are still able to be creative while using their pedagogical and technological skills to deliver content.  My next step is to find out more about teaching elementary courses online.  It would be interesting to see how those work.