AP US and AP English History: EBA and iSchool

Teaching in an Blended Learning Online Environment

Virtual Learning Platform

• Overview of Apex for AP US History– Chapters and Study Guides completed individually

using the textbook– Written assignments are assigned in PDF files for

the students to download– Tutorials and watched independently– I supplement with PowerPoint lectures that are

over Skype

Planning, Grading, and Facilitating

• Planning: – I map out each week according to what days we can Skype

and work from there assigning reading and tutorials– they get a weekly schedule emailed out to them

• Grading: – Students email their written work as attachments– I grade them in a different font color with thorough

comments and email them back with a score• Facilitating: – Combination of periodic check-ins, email communication

and whole class instruction over Skype

Video

• This is a short video of the iSchool students skyping into our classroom at EBA.

• Students were about to write an essay, so we were discussing writing struggles and solutions.

Weekly Emails of Schedule

Sample of Student Work

Face to Face Visit

Virtual Learning Platform

• Overview of AP English Language -Use of APEX for multiple-choice practice -Assigned reading from Norton textbook and

novels -Daily writing assignments and weekly projects

Planning, Grading, and FacilitatingAP English

• Planning: – I map out each week according to what days we can Skype and

work from there assigning reading, independent work, and group projects

– I try to have students finish projects on days that we Skype, so that the two classes can share final products

– I email assignments on a daily basis because I tweak the assignments based on their needs

• Grading: – Students do all work on googledocs, I often comment on them

once or twice before the final draft is due– I grade them in a different font color with thorough comments.

• Facilitating: – Combination of periodic check-ins, email communication and

whole class instruction over Skype.

Struggles

• Log in issues• Skype can be unreliable• Tech issues• Discussion Groups• Creating more opportunities for interaction

between the schools

Struggles continued

• Creating meaningful interactions when 50 students are connecting through 1 medium

• Maintaining the confidence of lower level students

• Developing similar lesson plans to two groups at different levels

• The low quality of APEX’ AP English Language curriculum

• Student buy-in during the first few weeks (and even now when I am not present.)

Struggles continued

• Getting to know students & developing meaningful relationships with them

• Classroom management