Week 9 Reflection

Now that you have seen what other people did in creating their units, is there anything that you might do differently if you were to redesign your own unit?

I think that I would add more graphics to the presentation of the material to make it visually more appealing, and embed some of the video instead of relying on links entirely. I think I would also incorporate more graphic organizer tool use, (like webspiration or notely) and have students create something that has visual appeal, as Heather and Melissa did having their students create something in museum box. The virtual course by nature has so much text built into it, and so much reading and typing that I could see students losing interest, without something eye-catching and creative to do.

Week 7

What are you most concerned about as you embark on creating a curriculum unit?

I think I am most concerned about pacing. It is easy to plan a unit, but very often hard to accurately predict how much time things will actually take. In a traditional classroom where you can pick up the pace or slow things down depending on how quickly or slowly students learn. If more reinforcement is needed on a particular concept, or an extra day is needed to finish an activity, it is easy to adapt in a traditional classroom. If the unit is set in "e-cement", I am nervous about how it can be adapted if needed.

Though I am looking forward to working with my teammate, Richard, I think I am nervous too, about coordinating schedules for collaboration. The temptation is great to just say, "Why don't we meet at TC in Russell 2nd floor, or at Everett Lounge to plan." but that is a no-no. :) The restriction of no f2f provides opportunity to be creative with how to most effectively communicate and collaborate without the f2f option.

Week 6 -- Further Reflection on the Google Spreadsheet posts

Did you change anything in the Google spreadsheet? If so, what? Has your view of the schools you chose to research changed from the first week you looked at them? If so, how?

I would have to say that my view of FLVS has changed somewhat from what I picked up in that first week of pouring over the website. Initially, I understood FLVS to be more virtual classroom oriented and less virtual course oriented, but some of the readings, and comments made during discussions have impressed me that it seems to be more the other way around. I also moved placement from "both collaborative/class paced" to the "independent, self-paced" column. This also is primarily due to comments made during the discussions and in articles we have read, where FLVS was mentioned. I can't say my view of Commonwealth Connections Academy (PA)has changed in these subsequent weeks.