Recipe for Success: Blended Model of Niche Courses for Elementary Students.

August 31, 2010 - 3:15pm | by rtbrown
Presenter(s)
Jo Wagner (Florida Virtual School, US)
Suzanne Ackley (Florida Virtual School, US)
Session Information
November 4, 2010 - 11:10am
Track: 
K-12 Online Education
Areas of Special Interest: 
K-12 Online Education
Major Emphasis of Presentation: 
Practical Application
Institutional Level: 
Course
Session Type: 
Group Presentation
Location: 
Curacao 8
Session Duration: 
80
Concurrent Session: 
4
Abstract

Come see how a blend of brick-and-mortar and virtual learning for elementary students works. Discover the best of both worlds! Join us to get active!

Extended Abstract

Purpose & Objectives During these tough economic times, schools are searching for ways to save money and still provide quality programs. In the elementary schools, the first programs to go are physical education, art, music, and foreign language. As we began development of our brand-new, out-of-the-box Florida Virtual School Elementary program, our goal was to provide programs to fill this void. Brain research tells us that children learn best through real-world connections, movement and music, active engagement, and collaboration. Our recipe for success was to create well-blended courses that serve up just that! This session will highlight our elementary niche courses, with an overview of how this blended model will work in both brick-and-mortar schools and at home. Results of this effort and feed-back from elementary school students, teachers, and administrators will be shared. Details of our Elementary PE Grades 3-5 course will be presented, demonstrating a highly engaging program, with online and activity-based components, presented every day. In addition, it provides a way to help schools meet the new FIT KIDS ACT mandate, requiring 150 minutes a week of physical education. Be prepared to get up and moving, as we involve you in kid-friendly activities to promote active learning and healthy lifestyles! At the end of this session, participants will understand how our blended model can be replicated to provide a healthy alternative to elementary schools. Our recipe for success includes the following ingredients: • Flexibility • Brain-Based Active Learning • Academic Integration • Music and Movement • Alignment to State and National standards Outline = The session will contain Prezi, explaining the components of our blended model(10 min.) and a short demonstration of our online Elementary PE course(10-15 min.). We will highlight brain-based activities and provide an overview of results from our elementary users(10-15 min.). Participants will be involved in kid-friendly activities to promote active learning and healthy lifestyles!(interspersed throughout the presentation:2 min. each) There will be time for questions for the remainder of the time

Lead Presenter

Jo Wagner is an Instructor and Elementary Curriculum Writer. She has worked at the Florida Virtual School for 10 years as an instructor and mentor to new staff members. She has a BA in Elementary Education and Physical Education and a MEd. from U of South Florida in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Instructional Technology.

Suzanne Ackley earned her Master of Teaching degree in Educational Leadership from Rollins College,  Her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education was awarded by the University of Florida, where she also received the Florida Distinguised Educator Award.  She is a long-time elementary educator, with many years of experience as a classroom teacher and a principal.  She has continued her education by studying the latest research in brain-based learning theory and has infused that knowledge into Florida Virtual School's elementary online courses.