I’ve just finished one contract and although there’s another on the horizon, right now I’m technically ‘between contracts’. This situation doesn’t work for some, but for me, right now, it’s a rare moment to grab tight and exploit! I feel lucky to have time to pursue a few projects and subjects that have been on my mind for a while.
One idea I want to explore is providing support ‘virtually’ for students struggling with literacy issues. This is an extension of an idea I had back in November after participating in the Global Education Conference. In the post “Virtual Literacy Intervention” I explore the techniques used by one online tutor and why providing support ‘virtually’ has potential to be a transformative use of technology for education.
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Now I want to take the idea forward, in a more formal way. I’m curious about the logistics necessary to provide an online intervention solution in a typical classroom as well as breadth of possibilities for assisting students. I’d prefer to do an ‘action research’ project so the planned activities have a well thought out and scripted beginning, middle and end. The key will be finding a teacher (and/or perhaps a principal) who is interested in seeking answers about the potential for virtual supports through an action research project.
Although, the specifics of the action research project will be designed with the teacher (and/or principal), there are still some basic administrative requirements for getting involved in such a project:
- The school needs a reliable internet connection with consistent bandwidth (at least 56k)
- The teacher/principal will need to set aside weekly time to organize, monitor, assess, and analyse the project as it unfolds (at least 30 minutes/week).
- The designated students in the study need to be able to access a computer with internet, headphones, and microphone. Ideally, this computer will be in a space that is somewhat private yet monitored by adults such as a library, special education room, etc.
So, are you interested in the learning options provided by a Virtual Literacy Initiative or do you know someone who might be? Let’s connect!
Virtual Literacy Initiative
I’ve just finished one contract with another on the horizon which means, technically, I’m ‘between contracts’ which doesn’t really work for some but for me, it’s a rare moment to be grabbed tight and exploit! I feel lucky to have some time to pursue a few projects and subjects that have been on my mind for some time.
One idea I want to explore is providing support ‘virtually’ for students struggling with literacy issues. This is an extension of an idea I had back in November after participating in the Global Education Conference. In the post “Virtual Literacy Intervention” I explore the techniques used by one online tutor and why providing support ‘virtually’ has potential to be a transformative use of technology for education.
Now I want to take the idea forward, in a more formal way. I’m curious about the logistics necessary to provide an online intervention solution in a typical classroom as well as breadth of possibilities for assisting students. I’d prefer to do an ‘action research’ project so the planned activities have a well thought out and scripted beginning, middle and end. The key will be finding a teacher (and/or perhaps a principal) who is interested in seeking answers about the potential for virtual supports through an action research project.
Although, the specifics of the action research project will be designed with the teacher (and/or principal), there are still some basic administrative requirements for getting involved in such a project:
1) The school needs a reliable internet connection with consistent bandwidth (at least 56k)
2) The teacher/principal will need to set aside some weekly time to organize, monitor, assess, and analyse the project as it unfolds (at least 30 minutes/week).
3) There must be space for the designated students in the study to gain to a computer with internet, headphones, and microphone. Ideally, this computer will be in a space that is somewhat private access yet monitored by adults – a library, special education room, etc.
So, are you interested in the learning options provided by a Virtual Literacy Initiative or do you know someone who might be? Let’s connect!